GQEBERHA: SA Rural XI and SA Forces XI are set to face each other in a round of white-ball matches in Gqeberha this weekend. Green Bushes Cricket Ground will host the sides for a 50-over encounter on Saturday, 15 March and a T20 match on Sunday, 16 March.
The SA Rural XI squad is made up of the top performers from the SA Rural Coastal and Inland Weeks and will be led by Free State bowler Francois van Rooyen. The 29-year-old, who was named Rural Cricket of the Year in 2024, also captained Free State to the final of this season’s SA Rural Inland Week against eventual winners North-West last month.
Meanwhile, the SA Forces XI squad comprises of players representing the South African Police Services, South African National Defence Force and the Department of Correctional Services. Each member of the 13-player squad competed in the recently concluded SA Forces Week, also in Gqeberha.
SA Rural XI and South Western Districts head coach Piet Stuurman expressed his excitement for this weekend’s action, “It’s always exciting to see the best Rural and Forces players go head-to-head in a competitive setting. Both teams bring a lot of passion and commitment to the field, and I have no doubt that we’ll see some quality cricket this weekend.”
“I want our players to embrace the challenge and most importantly, enjoy the experience. And while we haven’t had a lot of time to prepare for the upcoming matches, I do expect strong individual performances to contribute to the team’s overall success.”
SA Forces head coach, Corne van der Merwe added, “These fixtures are a perfect way to cap off what has been a great week of cricket for our SA Forces. With the SA Forces Week having wrapped on Wednesday, the players will enjoy a two-day break ahead of the first match on Saturday.
“We will also look to do some scenario work and formulate our plans for what will be a competitive contest across both formats.”
SA Rural XI
Francois van Rooyen (captain, Free State), Neil Lochner (vice-captain, Boland), Luthabo Guiwa (Iinyathi Aloes), AJ Jacobs (Free State), Cecil Jooste (Boland), Anaxolo Khitini (SWD), Javean Klaase (Boland), Alexander Kok (Gauteng), Kellan Oehly (Free State), Loyiso Khatywa (Kei), Tumelo Makume (North West), Lo Wande Siegelaar (Boland), and Bernard Voster (Mpumalanga).
Non-travelling Reserves
Thandani Majeba (Majeba) and Jurie Norval (EP GHT)
SA Forces XI
MA de Vries(SAPS-Boland)WK/Captain, KC Senyatso(SANDF-Northern Cape), S Mandara(SAPS-Eatern Province), SP Mangroo(SAPS(KZN Inland), RD Novemeber(SAPS-Eastern Province), M Ncoyo(SANDF- Gauteng-Titans), DM Martin(DCS-Boland), DJ Kriel(SANDF-Western Province), JD Arendse(SANDF-Western Province), TD Wessels(SANDF-Western Province), AJ Linnert(SAPS-Boland), CL Stevens(SAPS-Eastern Province), VW Koeberg(SANDF-Western Province), Q Davids(DCS-SWD)
Fixtures
Saturday, 15 March at 10h00
SA Rural XI vs SA Forces – Green Bushes Cricket Ground, Gqeberha
Sunday, 16 March at 10h00
SA Rural XI vs SA Forces – Green Bushes Cricket Ground, Gqeberha
Source: cricket.co.za
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