Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the South Africa Under-19 Men’s squads for the upcoming Youth one-day international and test series against England, set to take place from 17 January - 06 February in the Western Cape.
Western Province’s Bennie Hansen will captain both squads, leading an exciting group of promising talents. The squad also features players who represented South Africa in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 held on home soil, including Raeeq Daniels, Nqobani Mokoena and Martin Khumalo.
Top performers from the recent Cubs Week tournament have also been rewarded with national selection. The Batter of the Week, Jason Rowles and Bowler of the Week, spinner Nathan Rossouw, have earned their first call-ups to the youth national team.
The England U19 side will begin their tour with a 50-over warm-up match against Western Province before the three-match Youth ODI series commences from 17 - 22 January at Western Province Cricket Club and Paul Roos Gimnasium.
The tour will conclude with an exciting two-match Youth test series. The first test will take place at Coetzenburg Cricket Club in Stellenbosch between 27 - 30 January, with the second four-day test hosted by Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town from 03 - 06 February.
SA U19 Men’s head coach Malibongwe Maketa commented:
“It's exciting times, especially for the young group that we have selected to play against seasoned professional cricketers who've had exposure into county cricket; List A and first-class cricket. It's going to give us a great picture of where our boys are in terms of the skills gaps that we need to work on because the bulk of these cricketers that we've selected still qualify for next year's World Cup.
“It's going to serve a great purpose for our boys and us in terms of preparation. These opportunities don't come along often to get our boys to play four-day cricket. All of them would be getting that exposure for the first time, so we're excited in terms of what they're going to produce.
“Regarding Bennie (Hansen), his captaincy and leadership style, he's really done really well in terms of leading Western province at Khaya Majola and Cubs Week.
“Most importantly, Bennie has been part of our under-19 program. He toured Bangladesh with us. He's got a good understanding of how we want to play our cricket. And the fact that he plays the style that we like, playing with good positive intent.
That made it an easier decision for me to choose him as a captain. He's grown a lot in the past few months and it's going to be quite exciting to see how he fronts up to the challenge of England.
SA U19 Men’s Convenor of Selectors Patrick Moroney said:
“We are thrilled to see what this talented group will achieve during the series. The squad selection was guided by the specific requirements for success in Western Cape conditions. While performances at the recent Khaya Majola Week and Cubs Week gave us a good reflection on the current form, the selection process forms part of the national Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP).
Most of these players have been followed and monitored over a two-year period at various area, regional and national camps. The Cubs Week is the pinnacle of youth cricket and to see the players being tested under pressure assists with the selection process.
“To those earning their first call-up, congratulations on this significant milestone. Your hard work and performances throughout the year have been exceptional, and you fully deserve this opportunity.
Good luck to all the players and management – we’re confident you’ll represent South Africa with pride and play positive, competitive cricket.
SA U19 Men’s Youth ODI Squad against England U19
Bennie Hansen (Captain) (Western Province), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Divan de Villiers (Titans), Carl Fryer (North West), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Chad Mason (KZN Inland Tuskers), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Semal Pillay (Dolphins), Jason Rowles (Lions) and Ntando Soni (Dolphins)
SA U19 Men’s Youth test Squad against England U19
Bennie Hansen (Captain) (Western Province), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Muhammad Bulbulia (North West), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Divan de Villiers (Titans), Paul James (Western Province), Martin Khumalo (Eastern Storm), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Chad Mason (KZN Inland Tuskers), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Nathan Rossouw (North West), Jason Rowles (Lions), Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans) and Sandiswa Yeni (Dolphins)
Fixtures: SA U19 Men’s Inbound Tour v England U19 (17 January - 06 February 2025)
50-over Warm-Up
Tuesday, 14 January - Western Province U19 v England U19 ( Western Province CC, Cape Town)
Youth ODI Series
Friday, 17 January - South Africa U19 v England U19 (Western Province CC, Cape Town)
Sunday, 19 January - South Africa U19 v England U19 (Western Province CC, Cape Town)
Wednesday, 22 January - South Africa U19 v England U19 (Paul Roos Gimnasium, Stellenbosch)
Youth test Series
27 – 30 January - South Africa U19 v England U19 (Coertzenburg Cricket Club, Stellenbosch)
03 – 06 February - South Africa U19 v England U19 (Western Province CC, Cape Town)