SA20 U19 Women’s Camp Commences Preparation For 2025 U19 World Cup

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a 36-player squad for the SA20 Women’s U19 Camp at the CSA Centre of Excellence in Tshwane from 18 – 21 April.

The four-day camp marks the initiation of South Africa’s journey to the 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, following the inaugural edition held on home soil in 2023. It also aligns with the shared vision of continuing to grow the women’s game in the coming years.

Building on the recent success of the Proteas Women, the consecutive hosting of women’s World Cups, and the introduction of the CSA Professional Domestic Women’s League for the 2023/24 season with the assistance of the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture, the focus has now expanded to widening the player base.

Under the guidance of SA U19 and Women’s National Academy head coach Dinesha Devnarain, the SA U19 Women’s management, domestic coaches, and specialised consultants, the expanded squad will undergo intensive training sessions. These sessions will emphasise fitness testing, skill enhancement, mental performance, and in-game scenarios.

Former Proteas Women captain and cricket legend Mignon du Preez, along with Stephen Cook, the SA20 Head of Cricket Operations, will attend the camp to share their invaluable insights with the emerging cricketers.

Among the identified young talents are six future stars who were part of the SA U19 Women’s team during last year’s World Cup, including Seshnie Naidu, Kayla Reyneke, and Simone Lourens as well as Jemma Botha, Nthabiseng Nini and Mona-Lisa Legodi.

CSA Head of High Performance, Grant van Velden commented:

“In embarking on the journey towards the 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, we recognize the pivotal moment of beginning this expedition with our talented 36-player squad. As we chart this path, it’s imperative to cast our net wide, seeking talent from every corner of our nation. This inclusive approach not only enriches our pool of players but also reflects the diverse tapestry of South African cricket.

“Partnering with SA20 is instrumental in this quest, as together we aim to cultivate a robust foundation for women’s cricket at a grassroots level. By nurturing these young athletes through rigorous training and mentorship, we’re not only preparing them for the challenges ahead but also laying the groundwork for a flourishing women’s domestic and national system.

SA20’s Head of Cricket Operations, Stephen Cook said:

“From an SA20 perspective it has been most intriguing to witness the number of players who have represented their provinces during the CSA Provincial Competitions this season who were attendees at the first SA20 U19 Women’s Camp back in November. The performances that those players have put in have been most encouraging and it bodes well for the development of these players. The objective of the camps was to unearth and expose the next generation of women’s players and by the early evidence this is being achieved.”

SA20 U19 Women’s Camp Squad – April 2024

Cara Bester (Western Province), Lethabo Bidli (Central Gauteng Lions), Tlotlo Bogatsu (North West), Daneli Boshoff (Boland), Iman Bonnasse (Eastern Province), Jemma Botha (Western Province), Jessica Candler (KZN Inland), Fay Cowling (Central Gauteng Lions), Jae-leigh Filander (Western Province), Luna Gana (Eastern Province), Janike Janse van Rensburg (Northerns), Alexia Kontopirakis (Western Province), Lerato Kotokoane (North West), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Northerns), Simone Lourens (Northerns), Karabo Lemphane (North West), Jenna-Lee Lubbe (Central Gauteng Lions), Mpumelelo Mashiloane (Eastern Storm), Lesedi Madisha (Northerns), Shanel Madurai (KZN Coastal) Tshegofatso Monyela (North West), Neo Molefe (Central Gauteng Lions), Tokologo Motsepe (Central Gauteng Lions), Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo), Seshnie Naidu (KZN Coastal), Nthabiseng Nini (North West), Luyanda Nzuza (KZN Coastal), Diara Ramlakan (Central Gauteng Lions), Kayla Reyneke (Western Province), Leani Swanepoel (Central Gauteng Lions), Mia-Lize van der Vyver (Boland), Diedre van Rensburg (North West), Mieke van Voorst Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Jane Verhage (Northerns) Sinelethu Yaso (Western Province)

Source: cricket.co.za

Vintcent van der Bijl (born 1948) – 13 internationals, 24.83 average, 50 high score, 61 wickets, 20.20 average, 5-25 best, four five-wicket innings: At the time of his retirement in the early ’80s, he was the most prolific bowler in South African domestic cricket. He topped the annual Currie Cup wicket tally for about a decade. Broken down to a five-Test series, he would have grabbed 23-24 wickets per series. He had outstanding consistency. He had the same imposing physique and bowling style as the Windies’ Joel Garner. His high batting average is courtesy of ten not outs in 16 innings.