The 2026 Khaya Majola Week takes place in Stellenbosch from Wednesday, 16 to Sunday, 20 December, and the Garden Route Badgers squad, from South Western Districts, that will do duty there, features 13 players from seven teams.
Hoërskool Outeniqua has four players in the line-up, while Aurial College, Thembalethu High, and York High provide two each. Bridgton Senior Secondary, Jonga High, and Hoërskool Oudtshoorn all supply one player.
The team management remains unchanged, with Jonathan Beukes, a former Free State, SWD Eagles, Garden Route Badgers, and Scotland’s men’s player serving as the head coach, Danrick Moodien, the 2024 Girls’ U19 Assistant Coach, also his assistant coach, and Francois Visagie, the Chairman of Eden Schools Cricket, the side’s manager.
Captain Enathi Kitshini, a left-arm orthodox spin bowling all-rounder and 2025 SA Schools captain, is in the side for a third successive year.
The Thembalethu High star will be one of the players to watch at the tournament. He’s joined by his school-mate and fellow bowler, Kuhle Ncamile, in the squad.
Outeniqua’s captain, Hanno Swart, will be Kitshini’s vice captain, and carries strong form into the national week.
His Outeniqua team-mate Daniel du Plessis, cracks the provincial nod for a second time, while a third Kwaggas‘ batsman, Daniel du Preez, is set to make his first appearance at the Khaya Majola Week. Nathan Best, who has racked up a number of five-fours this season, is the George school’s fourth member of the Badgers.
York High bowlers Ethan Botha and Ryan Mertin have combined to destroy many opposition innings for their school, and they will aim to deliver more of the same in Stellenbosch.
Garden Route Badgers Khaya Majola U19 Team
Ducayne Plaatjies (Bridgton), Shirwin Plaatjies (Aurial), Lastio Williams (Aurial), Enathi Kitshini (captain) (Thembalethu), Qhamani Viewer (Jonga), Kuhle Ncamile (Thembalethu), Daniel du Plessis (Outeniqua), Daniel du Preez (Outeniqua), Hanno Swart (vice captain) (Outeniqua), Nathan Best (Outeniqua), Ethan Botha (York), Ryan Mertin (York), Keaton Lambaatjeen (Oudtshoorn).
