The Khaya Majola Week defending champions, Central Gauteng Lions, will not be resting on their laurels when they land in Stellenbosch for this year’s edition of the national u19 Week from 16 to 20 December.
The Lions assembled a side with a healthy mixture of experience and youth, and will be led by the inspirational SA u19 captain, Jason Rowles. The skipper is one of six returning players from the Class of 2025. The other five are Ombesa Matsha, Troy Gordon, Bafana Mthunzi, Wade McQuinn, and Kyle Butler.
“We always have a target on our back as Lions, and also because this year we are defending a title. We take nothing for granted, and hopefully, our preparation stands us in good stead for the week,” Ahmed Nawab, the Lions u19 coach, told SuperSport Schools News.
The quintet is joined by another SA u19 player, Nkosana Sibiya, who made his debut during the junior Proteas’ tour of England. He is the lone St John’s College player in the team.
Jeppe has three players led by their former captain, Ryan Young, who also adds to the list of experienced players. Young, who accumulated more than 150 first-team caps for Jeppe, will help with providing stability in the middle order.
Lions also brought in last year’s CSA u16 Week Player of the Tournament, Zizi Mkhize, into the fold. The all-rounder offers the defending champions flexibility in the batting order. Goolam Hoosain Ahmed rounds up the list of Jeppe players.
There are three schools with two representatives each in the squad. Rowles and Butler will fly the St David’s Marist Inanda flag high, and the duo of Matsha and Zaakir Hanslo’s contributions with bat and ball for St Stithians College have held them in good stead.
King Edward VII (KES) has the dynamic pair of Gordon and McQuinn in the side. Lions will look to Gordon for good starts with the bat, with McQuinn offering the pace-bowling all-rounder option in the lower order.
Mthunzi and Fuzail Ahmed Faroon will take to the field, accompanied by the cheers from Queens High supporters. Mthunzi will be part of the top four, while Faroon will boost the bowling stocks.
Steyn City’s Kurt Losch caught the selectors’ eye with his consistent performances this year and then solidified his spot at the provincial trials.
Nawab is confident that they picked the right team for the conditions they are expecting in the Western Cape. The coach will have the help of assistant coach Timothy Makgabutlane and team manager Willie van den Berg in guiding the team to good decisions.
Team:
Ombesa Matsha (St Stithians College), Nkosana Sibiya (St John’s College), Jason Rowles (St David’s Marist Inanda), Zizi Mkhize (Jeppe High School for Boys), Troy Gordon (King Edward VII School), Bafana Mthunzi (Queens High School), Ryan Young (Jeppe High School for Boys), Fuzail Ahmed Faroon (Queens High School), Wade McQuinn (King Edward VII School), Goolam Hoosain Ahmed (Jeppe High School for Boys), Kurt Losch (Steyn City School), Kyle Butler (St David’s Marist Inanda), Zaakir Hanslo (St Stithians College).
