Photo Credit: Cricket South Africa
Cricket South Africa (CSA), in conjunction with the eight top-tier provincial teams, is pleased to announce the final squads that will compete in Division 1 next season.
The teams and their positioning in the new domestic cricket structure were finalised early last month when an Independent Evaluation Committee (IEC) revealed the look of the new South African cricket landscape following a bidding process that was open to all 15 unions.
Boland, Central Gauteng Lions, Eastern Province, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal (Coastal), North West, Northerns and Western Province were the successful candidates during that process.
“This is an exciting time for everyone involved in South African cricket as we look ahead to a new era that will start in 2021/22,” CSA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki, stated.
“At initial glance, the squads all look extremely well balanced and that can only bode well for everyone as we anticipate a strengthened domestic cricket system.”
The squads themselves are highly impressive as some of the best talent has been spread across the country.
As winners of two competitions this past season, the KZN Coastal side have managed to retain most of their players, whilst also bringing Thando Ntini, Bryce Parsons and Jason Smith to Durban.
KZN CEO Heinrich Strydom said: “It was all about maintaining stability and consolidating all the good work, that we as the KZN cricket family had done over the last four seasons. The Hollywoodbets Dolphins had a record breaking 2020/21, therefore we made it a priority to continue with our core group of players and coaching staff. We are also proud to note the high value being placed on our players by the other teams. It shows that our proud KZN player production line is functioning well and contributing to the holistic success of South African cricket.”
The Imperial Lions were also double winners in 2020/21 and the new Central Gauteng based side too have opted to retain the bulk of the Lions group retaining 10 of the 16 previously contracted players. They have also added a host of local semi-pro players to their roster and have included in their side the signature of exciting and experienced fast bowler Duanne Olivier.
CGL CEO Jono Leaf-Wright said: “We believe we have blended our squad well with experience and youth, the experience coming from those that served us and other teams so well over the years and the youth from our semi-pro ranks. We will continue to play as the Imperial Lions with our aim is to be the Pride of Jozi and believe this contracted squad plus the many Protea players that represent us can certainly help us achieve that. We are certainly looking forward to building on the success of the franchise era and the trophies we won when this exciting new chapter of South African Domestic cricket begins in the coming months.”
As one of two new top-tier teams in the new structure Boland had to start from scratch when it came to recruitment. Amongst their major signings are the Malan brothers, Pieter and Janneman, Hardus Viljoen, Christiaan Jonker and Shaun von Berg.
Boland CEO James Fortuin said: “We’re just extremely excited and I really want to thank our fans for their support and playing what we feel was a big role in getting us this status. The squad we have assembled is one of exceptional experience. It is also an exciting squad and one that can help us build well beyond the next two years.”
The other new team to join the top tier is North West and they have put together an equally formidable list of players, the big names being Senuran Muthusamy, Heino Kuhn and Nicky van den Bergh.
North West CEO HP Prinsloo said: “We’re happy with the squad that we’ve assembled. I think being one of two new teams in the top division was a bit challenging when it came to contracting players, but we embraced it and are happy with our team. We feel the squad has a good balance of youngsters and experienced players. Now we’re just looking forward to the season ahead.”
Eastern Province have roped in the exciting Dane Paterson, Akhona Mnyaka and Diego Rosier, adding to their already impressive squad from the past season.
EP acting CEO Shafiek Abrahams said: “Our focus has been on recruiting young players and that is what we have done. We have also seen players come back home to the Eastern Cape this time, so that is encouraging. We are all about opportunities and that’s what we’ll be hoping to offer the players that have been contracted. They will mix in well with the experience we have here.”
Ayabulela Gqamane, Aaron Phangiso, Simon Harmer and Grant Mokoena are some of the exciting new faces to look out for at Northerns.
The Northerns CEO Jacques Faul said:“We’re really pleased with the squad that we have recruited. We feel we certainly do have a stronger on-field squad for the new season, one that equips us better for what lies ahead and a group of players that can compete for trophies. We also have six Proteas within our ranks, so overall I’m pleased.”
Amongst the new recruits at Free State are Gregory Mohlokwana, Mangaliso Mosehle and local pair Dilivio Ridgaard and Nealan Van Heerden.
FS CEO Johan Van Heerden said: “The domestic restructure means we are now fortunate that we can now solely focus on the Free State brand and bringing through talent from our area specifically. I am happy to report that we have done that, there is a strong local focus and we have struck a good balance within our squad.”
Western Province placed experience as their priority area of strengthening with former Proteas Hashim Amla, Vernon Philander and Wayne Parnell being recruited, together with Basheer Walters and David Bedingham.
WP Interim CEO Tennyson Botes said: “We are proud to have attracted some of Cape Town’s greatest homegrown and adopted sons back to, Newlands. As we go into a new era of domestic cricket, we know that their experience will be invaluable to the young talent, which continues to come through our development pipelines, as we continue our success in producing players for the Proteas. The valuable combination of experience and youth will be the perfect tonic for when we welcome back our supporters. We look forward to the season ahead!”
The full list of squads for the 2021/22 season is:
KwaZulu-Natal (Coastal): Marques Ackerman, Ottneil Baartman, Eathan Bosch, Ruan de Swardt, Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Thamsanqa Khumalo, Kerwin Mungroo, Lifa Ntanzi, Thando Ntini, Bryce Parsons, Keegan Petersen, Grant Roelofsen, Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen, Khaya Zondo, Andile Phehlukway (national contract), David Miller (national contract), Keshav Maharaj (national contract).
Central Gauteng Lions: Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Kagiso Rapulana, Ryan Rickleton. Joshua Richards, Sisanda Magala, Dominic Hendricks, Tladi Bokako, Malusi Siboto, Duanne Olivier, Ruan Haasbroek, Tshepo Ntuli, Mitchell van Buuren, Codi Yusuf, Levert Manje, Kagiso Rabada (national contract), Rassie van der Dussen (national contract), Temba Bavuma (national contract), Reeza Hendricks (national contract).
Boland: Janneman Malan, Pieter Malan, Hardus Viljoen, Is-maeel Gafieldien, Ferisco Adams, Siyabonga Mahima, Christiaan Jonker, Ruan Terblanche, Imraan Manack, Shaun von Berg, Michael Copeland, Zakhele Qwabe, Clyde Fortuin, Achille Cloete, Stiaan van Zyl, Ziyaad Abrahams, Kyle Abbott.
North West: Delano Potgieter, Lesego Senokwane, Nicky van den Bergh, Senuran Muthusamy, Nono Pongolo, Eldred Hawken, Heino Kuhn, Lwandiswa Zuma, Shaylen Pillay, Wesley Marshall, Ndumiso Mvelase, Eben Botha, Johannes Diseko, Duan Jansen, Chad Classen, Jason Oakes, Dwaine Pretorius (national contract).
Eastern Province: Matthew Breetzke, Wihan Lubbe, Sinethemba Qeshile, Jon-Jon Smuts, Eddie Moore, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Rudi Second, Akhona Mnyaka, Lesiba Ngoepe, Diego Rosier, Tristan Stubbs, Dane Paterson, Kabelo Sekhukhune, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Anrich Nortje (national contract).
Northerns: Lizaad Williams, Okhule Cele, Theunis de Bruyn, Dayyaan Galiem, Gihahn Cloete, Junior Dala, Neil Brand, Sibonelo Makhanya, Corbin Bosch, Aaron Phangiso, Chris Morris, Dewald Brevis, Ayabulela Gqamane, Jiveshen Pillay, Grant Mokoena, Simon Harmer, Aiden Markram (national contract), Lungi Ngidi (national contract), Quinton de Kock (national contract), Tabraiz Shamsi (national contract), Dean Elgar (national contract), Heinrich Klaasen (national contract).
Free State: Mbulelo Budaza, Gerald Coetzee, Patrick Kruger, Wandile Makwetu, Migael Pretorius, Jacques Snyman, Pite van Biljon, Raynard van Tonder, Farhaan Behardien, Patrick Botha, Matthew Kleinveldt, Gregory Mohlokwana, Mangaliso Mosehle, Alfred Mothoa, Dilivio Ridgaard, Nealan van Heerden.
Western Province: Zubayr Hamza, Kyle Verreynne, George Linde, Tony De Zorzi, Nandre Burger, Yaseen Vallie, Kyle Simmonds, Jonathan Bird, Hashim Amla, Mihlali Mpongwana, Tshepo Moreki, David Bedingham, Aviwe Mgijima, Vernon Philander, Basheer Walters, Wayne Parnell, Beuran Hendricks (national contract).
Name of Author: Cricket South Africa
Cricket South Africa (CSA) governs cricket in South Africa. Formed in 2002, it succeeded the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) and became the sole governing body in 2008. CSA oversees all levels of cricket, including national teams for men and women, and is a full ICC member and SASCOC affiliate.
