The KZN Inland Tuskers U19 team for the Khaya Majola Week includes five players who represented the province in Bloemfontein last year.
This year, the annual inter-provincial tournament takes place in Stellenbosch from 16 to 20 December.
St Charles College captain Thando Zama, who was included in the SA Colts team after a strong showing in the Free State capital, is back again.
He’s joined by four bowlers who did Khaya Majola duty last week: Reece Willson, Sechaba Gude, Thandanani Zuma, and Kaiyuran Naidoo.
The first three will lead the seam attack, while Naidoo adds off-spin to the mix. That kind of experience should stand the Tuskers in good stead.
Five players make the step up after representing the province at the U16 level last year.
Hilton College wicketkeeper/batsman Ben Wilson is reliable, both with the gloves and the bat, while his Michaelhouse counterpart, Cody Sander, offers the same options.
Saints‘ Ryan Clarke is a seam bowling all-rounder, equally adept with bat and ball, as is Hilton’s Obakeng Motsepa.
Akhil Bharath, of Maritzburg College, is primarily a batsman, but a more-than-capable spin bowler, too.
Liam O’Dwyer previously represented the U16 side in 2024 at the CSA Boys Week, where he captured a stunning 6/5 in a win over the Garden Route Badgers.
Michaelhouse’s Ben Heuer has enjoyed an outstanding year, excelling with both bat and ball, and has been rewarded with selection, while Hilton College opening batsman, Barack Munawa, earned his call-up thanks to his consistency.
In his absence earlier this term, Hilton struggled, but he made an impact on his return, scoring 56 in a comfortable 82-run win over Kearsney College.
TEAMS
KZN Tuskers U19
Barack Munawa (Hilton), Ben Heuer (Michaelhouse), Thando Zama (St Charles), Ryan Clarke (St Charles), Ben Wilson (Hilton), Reece Willson (Maritzburg College), Cody Sander (Michaelhouse), Obakeng Motsepa (Hilton), Sechaba Gude (Hilton), Akhil Bharath (Maritzburg College), Kaiyuran Naidoo (St Charles), Liam O’Dwyer (Michaelhouse), Thandanani Zuma (Michaelhouse)
Head coach: Kyle Nipper (Maritzburg College)
Assistant coach: Suvedh Ramprith (Drakensview Primary)
Manager: Neelan Iyavoo (Estcourt High)
4 Hilton College | 4 Michaelhouse | 3 St Charles College | 2 Maritzburg College
U17 Regional Week
Wonga Mlonzi (Michaelhouse), Rex Wardlaw (Michaelhouse), Caleb Sharp (St Charles), Relebogile Mokoena (St Charles), Sean Burman (Hilton), Ross Hill (Hilton), Aphiwe Nzama (Sweetwaters Hub), Aphile Nzama (Sweetwaters Hub), Riley Muir (Michaelhouse), Matthew Southwood (Michaelhouse), Nishay Sudhoowa (Michaelhouse), Sandiso Futshane (Hilton).
Head coach: David Griffiths (Hilton College)
Manager: Tumelo Kabini (Michaelhouse)
5 Michaelhouse | 3 Hilton College | 2 St Charles College | 2 Sweetwaters Hub
KZN Tuskers U15 Blue
Guy Fyvie (Hilton), Triston Seach (Maritzburg College), Murangi Magondo (Hilton), Caleb Tyler (Maritzburg College), Luke Mallet (Michaelhouse), Blake Smith (Maritzburg College), Duncan Dicks (Hilton), Daniel Marot (Maritzburg College), Langa Zondi (Sweetwaters Hub), Jordan Kershaw (Sarel Cilliers High), Zakhele Hlophe (Sweetwaters Hub), Lwazi Mkhize (Imbali Hub).
Head coach: Travis Pieters (Hilton College)
Manager: Themba Hlela (KZNI Cricket Union)
4 Maritzburg College | 3 Hilton College | 2 Sweetwaters Hub | 1 Sarel Cilliers | 1 Imbali Hub | 1 Michaelhouse
KZN Inland U15 Black
Daniel Rees (Michaelhouse), Nate Smit (Hilton), Ashar Mahmoud (Maritzburg College), James Buys (Michaelhouse), Matteo Puddu (Maritzburg College), Luthando Ndlovu (St Charles), Ryan Soorajlal (St Charles), Sandiso Ngubane (Hilton), Mohapi Ntseare (Hilton), Keaton Singh (Northdale Hub), Quin St John-Ward (Maritzburg College), Jake Odell (St Charles).
Head coach: Abhishek Sewlall (KZN Inland Cricket Union)
Manager: Nhlanhla Nene (KZN Inland Cricket Union)
3 Maritzburg College | 3 St Charles College | 3 Hilton College | 2 Michaelhouse| 1 Northdale Hub
