Boland boss James Fortuin thanks the fans for “playing what we feel was a big role in getting us first division status”.
Telford Vice | Cape Town
THE coinciding of the end of the franchise era and the scrapping of the Kolpak system will change the landscape of cricket in South Africa in 2021/22. Provincial teams, who last represented the top level of the game in the country in 2003/04, will be restored to that status and be staffed by more prominent players. And, when the squads were announced on Tuesday, it seemed Boland and Western Province had shopped more cannily than others.
Boland, which has long lived in neighbouring WP’s shadow, have acquired Kyle Abbott, Stiaan van Zyl, Pieter and Janneman Malan, Hardus Viljoen, Christiaan Jonker and Shaun von Berg. That should curb concerns that historically smaller provinces will struggle to compete in the top flight.
In a CSA release Boland chief executive James Fortuin was quoted as thanking the province’s supporters — who earned something like fame for their passionate backing of the Paarl Rocks in 2019 Mzansi Super League — for “playing what we feel was a big role in getting us this status”.
WP’s players include Vernon Philander, Hashim Amla, Wayne Parnell and Beuran Hendricks. Philander hasn’t played at any level since his retirement Test, against England at the Wanderers in January last year. Amla, who is currently an overseas professional with Surrey, last played in South Africa in a T20 for the Cobras — essentially WP by another name — in April 2019.
North West, another of South Africa’s lesser cricketing lights, have signed Senuran Muthusamy and Heino Kuhn, while Dwaine Pretorius comes home to them. “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,” North West chief executive HP Prinsloo was quoted as saying.
Duanne Olivier will turn out for Gauteng, who will call themselves the Lions, and Simon Harmer and Aaron Phangiso for Northerns.
Provincial squads:
KwaZulu-Natal Coastal: Marques Ackerman, Ottniel 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 Phehlukwayo, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj.
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, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks.
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.
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 Nortjé.
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, Lungi Ngidi, Quinton de Kock, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen.
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, Nandré 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.
First published by Cricbuzz.
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