Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the teams and squads in the upcoming Rural Weeks for inland and coastal teams.
Rural Inland Week, scheduled to take place from 08-11 February in the Free State, will feature a number of teams including Lions, KZN Inland, Dolphins, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and the host province, Free State.
The Rural Coastal Week will follow between 19-22 February 2024 in Boland. Participating teams include Eastern Province (EP) Grahamstown, EP Midlands, Border Aloes, Border Country, Border Villages, Kei, Boland, and South Western Districts (SWD).
CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki, commented on the power of cricket as a unifying force that transcends geographical boundaries.
“The Rural Cricket Weeks aim to provide equal opportunities by providing access to the game, regardless of one's background.
“CSA has made continuous efforts to foster inclusivity and empower communities. By bringing together teams from rural areas, the tournaments not only showcase cricketing talent but also celebrate the diversity and extensive talent pool across the nation.
“These tournaments not only offer a platform for cricket, but also serve as a catalyst for community development and social cohesion. Through engaging in the sport they love, participants are afforded opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and camaraderie, which extend far beyond the duration of the tournaments,” said Moseki.
RURAL INLAND WEEK SQUADS
Lions: Penning Charl, Jogiat Yusuf, Janse Van Rensburg Ruan, Botha Lodewikus, Erasmus Dewald, Siphelele, Schutte Darius, Kok Jean-Pierre, Ngojo Thabiso, Nyofane Samson, Louw Jayden, Mohasa Neo, Sheikh Mueez.
KZN Inland: Humphries Warren, Desai Arshad, Lambert Dean, Walsh Jarryd, Bloy Martin, Dukes Matthew, Hancock Patrick, Kewalpersadh Prenay, Mungroo Shaldon, Elliot Shaun, Ramprith Suvedh, Payi Pumelela, Mlaba Scelo.
Dolphins: Govender Keshlan, Maharaj Akhilesh, Naidoo Kaylin, Kalkapersad Sachin, Mortimer Cody, Ismail M. Bilal, Bageloo Adesh, Mkhwanazi Sifiso, Mthimkhulu Mqobi, Thusi Siphamandla, Kench Liam, Jordan Neill, Dhanasar Nishen.
Limpopo: Bux Amir, Mc Nicol Michael, Mathebula Chris, De Marre Guido, Diago Musa, Nxasana Skhonza, Claassen Mauritz, Shikwanbana Nyiko, Mridha Saba, Mboweni Nhlamulo Martin, Williamse Sias, Botha Louis, Mosefowa Thabo.
Mpumalanga: Barnard Rian, Boshoff Nicus, Buthelezi Xolani, Greeff Joshua, Koul Yatin, Leemans Stefan, Nkosi Mpendulo, Nkosi Whitey, Ntshalintshali Tshepo, Partridge Tyler, Van Wyk Byron, Visagie Quinlan, Vorster Bernard.
North West: Ranft Johann, Mathe Tebogo, Sepati Phemelo, Bulbulia Mohammed, Dreyer Marnaue, Schonfeldt Estiaan, Snyman Ferdi, Tshireletso Tikoe, Snyman Phillip, Swanepoel Hanru, Leokaoke Katlego, Jansen v Rensburg Lohard, Sereo Kamogelo Zephonia.
Northern Cape: Botha Ettiene, Nicklaas Finn Nicklaas, Kesiamang Ontlametse, Olivier Claude, Kotze Oelof, De Klerk Stephan, Meza Gregory, Barends Jody, Julies Luther, Van Wyk William Oberholzer Rudolf, Makatise Gopolang , Ali Saood.
Free State: Van Rooyen Francois, Nieuwenhuyzen Donovan, Ndimande Taje, Lesoro Tshepo, Lekhoana Thabiso, Nieuwehuyzen Shaun, Ncedane Wizzard, Kemp Armand, Lebuso Thando, Delport Heinrich, Ellis Zandre, Masheshemane Tshepo, Plank Thabiso.
Rural Coastal Week squads will be announced in due course.