The Eastern Storm Khaya Majola Week side is focused on continuous improvement as they ramp up their preparations for the tournament, which takes place in Stellenbosch from 16 to 20 December.
“We are adopting a championship mindset. We want to be better every day. Better than our previous training session, better than our last match, and for Khaya Majola, we want to be better than our performance last year,” head coach Aaron Phangiso told SuperSport Schools News.
The former Proteas spinner shared that he has had a handful of training and planning sessions with the team, and he is happy with the progress shown.
The players have bought into his philosophy, and they’re determined to improve on 2025’s joint-11th-place finish.
“Stellenbosch is low and slow, with average scores ranging between 240 and 250, so we selected a team that is reliant on spin. We have three frontline spinners and one out-and-out pacer,” Phangiso revealed.
The selectors picked players from eight sources: Hoërskool Hans Moore, Hoërskool Dinamika, the Duduza Hub, the KwaThema Hub, Elandspark School, Hoërskool Marias Viljoen, Hoërskool Kempton Park, and Hoërskool Jeugland.
Hans Moore, with four players – Aiden Shaw, Kearan Weyers, Kyle Wratten, and Stephan Vermaak – has the largest representation in the squad.
Both Kempton Park and Jeugland provide two players, with Ethan Kotze and Sheldon Kruger flying the flag for Kempton Park, while Sibusiso Sikhosana and Yanni Zita represent Jeugland’s interests.
Dinamika, Duduza, KwaThema, Elandspark, and Marias Viljoen will be represented by Jessi Simpson, Moekestsi Beya, Owami Mahlangu, Paul Matlala, and Rieshaeel Hashim, respectively.
Three players – Aiden Shaw, Stephan Vermaak, and Paul Matlala – were members of the 2025 Khaya Majola Week team.
The selectors also named Jayden Fortuin (Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen), Ethan van Rooyen (Hoerskool Kempton Park), and Nkanyiso Mahlangu (KwaThema) as non-travelling reserves.
Phangiso will be assisted in his coaching duties by Thapelo Ditle, with Andrew Smith serving as the team manager.
Team:
Aiden Shaw (Hoërskool Hans Moore), Ethan Kotze (Hoërskool Kempton Park), Jessi Simpson (Hoërskool Dinamika), Kearan Weyers (Hoërskool Hans Moore), Kyle Wratten (Hoërskool Hans Moore), Moeketsi Beya (Duduza Hub), Owami Mahlangu (Kwa Thema Hub), Paul Matlala (Elandspark School), Rieshaeel Hashim (Hoërskool Marias Viljoen), Sheldon Kruger (Hoërskool Kempton Park), Sibusiso Sikhosana (Hoërskool Jeugland), Stephan Vermaak (Hoërskool Hans Moore), Yanni Zita (Hoërskool Jeugland).
Non-travelling reserves: Jayden Fortuin (Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen), Ethan van Rooyen (Hoerskool Kempton Park), Nkanyiso Mahlangu (Kwa Thema).
