13 Mar Team SA Women’s Success Motivates Men’s Squad Ahead Of African Games
ACCRA: The Team South Africa Men’s squad has arrived in Ghana as they seek to emulate the women’s team in qualifying for the final of the inaugural T20 tournament at the 13th African Games in Accra.
The squad travelled a few days earlier for a training camp in preparation for the tournament, which will see them face hosts Ghana in their opening Group A match on Sunday, 17 March at the Achimota Cricket Oval.
South Africa will then take on Kenya and Uganda on 18 and 20 March respectively.
“Playing any host country in their conditions is always going to be a challenge and we expect nothing less when we come up against Ghana on Sunday,” said Team South Africa head coach Conrad de Swardt.
“Kenya is a strong outfit and Uganda had a good qualifier so they will also be tough competition. It’s an exciting prospect playing against these fellow African nations and this tournament will serve as an opportunity to expose our group of players to different conditions and to another level of cricket.”
The 15-player squad is made up of players who have represented their respective university teams at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament earlier this season. The squad boasts players with both domestic and national experience, with former SA U19 captain George van Heerden leading the side.
“It’s a massive honour to captain this side and I’m very excited,” expressed van Heerden. “There is so much talent in the squad and the calibre of management is absolutely amazing. It’s quite nice that we’ve got players from different universities from around the country.
“In the build-up to the tournament we’ll assess the conditions – after watching the women’s games, the pitches do look a bit tricky and not what we’re used to in South Africa. But in saying that, we’ll look to play a fearless, attacking brand of cricket like that of the national side and the professional teams throughout South Africa.”
Team South Africa Women are vying for gold as they take on Zimbabwe in today’s final at 13:30, and van Heerden is quick to acknowledge the women’s team as a source of inspiration.
“As a squad we’ve all kept an eye on the women’s team. We’ve been watching them not only for our own preparation to try and get a feel for the conditions but also to support them.
“They’ve done brilliantly so far to qualify for the final and hopefully we can achieve the same feat. It is also testament to what South African cricket is about and the quality of players and coaches that we have in the country,” concluded the 20-year-old.
Team South Africa Men’s Squad
George van Heerden (captain, SU), Dylan Bester (UFS), Lehan Botha (SU), Ethan Frosler (NMU), Kyle Glennistor (NWU), Maahir Joseph (SU), Keagan Lion-Cachet (UP), Raps Motlhoaring (CUT), Lifa Ntanzi (UJ), Mini Ntobela (NWU), Heinrigh Pieterse (NWU), Jesse Prodehl (UWC), Jason Raubenheimer (CUT), Lwando Tywaku (UWC) and Aphiwe Yako (UP).
Management
Conrad de Swardt (head coach), Bongani Ntini (assistant coach), Blanche Conradie (team manager), Hannah Bevis (strength and conditioning coach) and Joseph Ntseke (physiotherapist).
Group A Fixtures
Sunday, 17 March at 13:50
South Africa vs Ghana at Achimota Cricket Oval, Accra
Monday, 18 March at 13:50
South Africa vs Kenya at Achimota Cricket Oval, Accra
Wednesday, 20 March at 09:30
South Africa vs Uganda at Achimota Cricket Oval, Accra
Semi-Finals and Final
Semi-Final 1
Thursday, 21 March at 09:30
A1 v B2* at Achimota Cricket Oval, Accra
Semi-Final 2
Thursday, 21 March at 13:50
B1 v A2 at Achimota Cricket Oval, Accra
Final
Saturday, 23 March at 13:50
Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2 at Achimota Cricket Oval, Accra
*Group B
Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
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