The Proteas - Our Team!

SA INVITATIONAL XI SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR ENGLAND LIONS TOUR MATCH

Wednesday, 04 December 2024​

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has today announced a 13-player SA Invitational XI squad set to face England Lions in a four-day match at the Western Province Cricket Club from 10 – 13 December.

Dafabet Warriors wicket-keeper Sinethemba Qeshile has been named captain of the team, with High-Performance batting lead Imraan Khan overseeing the squad.

Knights batter Lesego Senokwane, the leading run-scorer in the ongoing CSA 4-Day Series, is among the players selected for the red-ball encounter. He is joined by Renault North West Dragons all-rounder Ruan de Swart, Dafabet Warriors batters Jordan Hermann and Andile Mogakane, as well as DP World Lions fast bowler Codi Yusuf.

"The squad is a well-balanced mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers, each earning their spot through exceptional performances in domestic cricket," said Khan.

"This match presents an invaluable platform for these players to showcase their skills against high-quality opposition. We look forward to seeing how they embrace this opportunity, just as we saw a number of players do the same earlier this year in the series against Zimbabwe Emerging.

"Playing against England Lions offers a unique challenge for our players, and we are eager to see how they rise to the occasion.”

SA Invitational XI Squad against England Lions
Matthew Boast (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepang Dithole (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ruan De Swardt (Renault North West Dragons), Jean Du Plessis (Dafabet Warriors), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Thobile Hlatuka (Eastern Cape Iinyathi), Andile Mogakane (Dafabet Warriors), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Richard Seletswane (DP World Lions), Lesego Senokwane (Knights) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).​
 
PROTEAS MEN REACH ICC WORLD TEST CHAMPIONS FINAL

Sunday, 29 December 2024 ​

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has congratulated the Proteas Men on qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, set to be played in England next year.

Temba Bavuma’s team secured their place in the decisive match of the 2023-2025 cycle when they beat Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test of their ongoing two-match series, which concluded at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday.

The result ensured they extended their advantage at the summit by securing their seventh win in 11 Tests. The WTC Final is scheduled for 11–15 June 2025 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in England.

“Today, we stand extremely proud of our Proteas Men after their exceptional achievement of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final,” CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki said.

“Their achievement is a monumental one and illustrates the progress they have made over the past 18 months, so a hearty congratulations to coach Shukri Conrad and his team.

“Journeys such as these, over a period of time, are never easy, but Temba and his team have shown outstanding determination, commitment to excellence, and hunger to succeed as they reached the top of the world ranking.

“We can now look forward to an exciting six months ahead as our boys prepare to take the field at the home of cricket in London.”

The Proteas began their journey in the 2023-2025 cycle with a drawn (1-1) home series against India last summer, before suffering their sole loss of the cycle (2-0) in an away series in New Zealand. They then won (1-0) a two-match series in the West Indies last August, before claiming arguably their most impressive result with a fine series win (2-0) in Bangladesh.

They then returned home for the current summer, which began with a double victory (2-0) over Sri Lanka, prior to the ongoing series, which they now lead 1-0 with one match to play.

“I would like to congratulate coach Shuks and his coaching staff, as well as captain Temba and all the players who contributed to this wonderful feat,” Director of National Teams and High Performance, Enoch Nkwe added.

“We must remember that this was the first full cycle for our coach, and to have done as well as he has is a great accomplishment. The entire team faced many challenges along the way; from injuries to personal circumstances and so much more. But they have stood the test of time.

“We are so proud of them, and we are really excited about being the top team in the WTC.”​
 
If I had to choose my best Test team, it would look something like this.

1.J. Hermann
2. A. Markram (vc)
3. R. Rickleton (WK)
4. T. Stubbs
5.T. Bavuma (c)
6. D. Bedingham
7. R. De Swart
8. G. Linde
9. M. Jansen
10. G. Coetzee / Dane Paterson
11.K Rabada

12. K. Maphaka
13. K. Verreynne

I feel Dane Paterson deserves his spot, for the Test Championship, I would play him. But at the ripe age of 35, after the championship, I would probably play Coetzee.
Maphaka is also bubleing under. Still very young and from what I see has an attitude problem. But as far as lefties go, I think he has a bright future. De Swardt is the batting all-rounder we desperately need. How the selectors keep overlooking him is beyond my understanding.
Linde's age is also not on his side, but he is a very decent spinner and capable with the bat, batting being our weakest link, a capable tail is needed and I believe with the above team we have that.

Hermann is currently the best domestic opener, I would trust him with the bat over De Zorzi any day of the week. Neither Rickleton, Stubbs, Bedingham, or Verreynne has been really impressed with the bat on the international stage. But they are the best we have. I also believe they are better than what we have seen. Unfortunately, there won't be space for all, so personally it would be a toss-up between Verreynne and Stubbs who sit out. Would probably go for Verreyne but can always rotate them going forward. We are in a fortunate position to sit with 4 Wickerkeepers in our squad...

What do you guys think?
 
Lament said:
If I had to choose my best Test team, it would look something like this.

1.J. Hermann
2. A. Markram (vc)
3. R. Rickleton (WK)
4. T. Stubbs
5.T. Bavuma (c)
6. D. Bedingham
7. R. De Swart
8. G. Linde
9. M. Jansen
10. G. Coetzee / Dane Paterson
11.K Rabada

12. K. Maphaka
13. K. Verreynne

I feel Dane Paterson deserves his spot, for the Test Championship, I would play him. But at the ripe age of 35, after the championship, I would probably play Coetzee.
Maphaka is also bubleing under. Still very young and from what I see has an attitude problem. But as far as lefties go, I think he has a bright future. De Swardt is the batting all-rounder we desperately need. How the selectors keep overlooking him is beyond my understanding.
Linde's age is also not on his side, but he is a very decent spinner and capable with the bat, batting being our weakest link, a capable tail is needed and I believe with the above team we have that.

Hermann is currently the best domestic opener, I would trust him with the bat over De Zorzi any day of the week. Neither Rickleton, Stubbs, Bedingham, or Verreynne has been really impressed with the bat on the international stage. But they are the best we have. I also believe they are better than what we have seen. Unfortunately, there won't be space for all, so personally it would be a toss-up between Verreynne and Stubbs who sit out. Would probably go for Verreyne but can always rotate them going forward. We are in a fortunate position to sit with 4 Wickerkeepers in our squad...

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Rickleton (and De Swart) over Verreynne?
Linde over Maharaj?

Nah. Good thing you're nowhere near the selectors.

Edit: also, your team has quota problems
 
Last edited:
There is no way dropping Kesh from the test team..De Swart isn't better then Mulder.
 
Neoprod said:
Kesh has been great this year...35 wickets in 7 matches (1 more wicket than KG in one match less).
Click to expand...
Yeah Kesh is a better bowler than Linde. But Linde is a much better batsman.
The only reason I would pick Linde (same with Swadt) is because I have zero confidence in our batting lineup. We need guys that can bat way down to try and strengthen out very weak batting lineup.
 
I think we are a bit flattered by our nr1 spot tbh.

Either oz or india will be too strong for us over a series.

But a one off? Lets see
 
Enzo Matrix said:
I think we are a bit flattered by our nr1 spot tbh.

Either oz or india will be too strong for us over a series.

But a one off? Lets see
Click to expand...
I'd back us against India at Lord's, but it's looking more and more likely to be Aus.
 
Lament said:
Yeah Kesh is a better bowler than Linde. But Linde is a much better batsman.
The only reason I would pick Linde (same with Swadt) is because I have zero confidence in our batting lineup. We need guys that can bat way down to try and strengthen out very weak batting lineup.
Click to expand...

Gotta take 20 wickets to win...have to risk it for the biscuit.

The Aussies are probably going to be the other finalists...their batting has also been pretty poor. Head is their best this year and only averages 40....Marnus, Smith, Khawaja have all been shite.

The final is six months away so things might look different (and it's a one-off) but our batting isn't terrible in comparison to the other big nations. It's not great but it's not terrible.
 
Lament said:
De Swadt is a considerably better batsman.
Mulder is a slightly better bowler.
Click to expand...
Simply incorrect.

You are using Ruan De swardt overall FC record to make your judgement forgetting for alot of his career we had 2 first class levels. The franchise and semi pro level.

All Ruan De swardt's 100's have come in the semi amateur level.

Wiaan Mulder has 100's at test level, top first class level in SA, county cricket and SA A level.

Mulder 12 hundred's in total(3 at semi amateur level) vs DE swardt 3 100's all at amateur level.
 
stefan9 said:
Simply incorrect.

You are using Ruan De swardt overall FC record to make your judgement forgetting for alot of his career we had 2 first class levels. The franchise and semi pro level.

All Ruan De swardt's 100's have come in the semi amateur level.

Wiaan Mulder has 100's at test level, top first class level in SA, county cricket and SA A level.

Mulder 12 hundred's in total(3 at semi amateur level) vs DE swardt 3 100's all at amateur level.
Click to expand...
If I physically watch them play, to me Ruan De Swart looks like the better batsman, But I guess time will tell.

Look, I have nothing against Mulder. I like him. His batting is also good, and he bowls very well. I wish he could get more tests under his belt.

I would be very happy with this starting 11

1.J. Hermann
2. A. Markram (vc)
3. R. Rickleton (WK)
4. T. Stubbs
5.T. Bavuma (c)
6. D. Bedingham
7. W. Mulder
8. G. Linde
9. M. Jansen
10. G. Coetzee / Dane Paterson
11.K Rabada
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter