The Boland Rocks will start their T20 Challenge campaign with two tough matches.
On Friday, they will take on the Central Gauteng Lions at the Wanderers before hosting the Northerns Titans at Boland Park on Sunday.
“We’ve prepared well for this competition,” said Rocks coach Justin Ontong. “We’ve had a couple of inter-squad matches and could feel the intensity of it, which was great.
“It’s important to try and win the first couple of games because we know momentum is key.
“We know the Lions and Titans will be especially tough opening games for us. They will have all their Proteas available, but we see it as an opportunity for us to compete against some of the best in the world. If we manage to be successful against these two teams it will only bolster our confidence and the belief within our squad.’’
The Malan brothers – captain Pieter and mainstay Janneman – will lead the Rocks’ batting charge along with Proteas Test batsman Keegan Petersen and new Protea Clyde Fortuin, who will once again wear the wicketkeeping gloves.
Aviwe Mgijima will be hoping to continue his rich vein of form, while Michael Copeland and the experienced Christiaan Jonker will add some firepower to the batting lineup.
All-rounders Fersico Adams, Hardus Viljoen and Shaun von Berg will be looking to make contributions with both bat and ball, while spinners Siya Mahima, Imraan Manack and Adrian du Toit could prove to be dangerous, especially at Boland Park.
Glenton Stuurman, Akhona Mnyaka and Achille Cloete will spearhead the fast-bowling department, with Jevano Baron also waiting in the wings.
Boland Rocks T20 squad: Pieter Malan (c), Janneman Malan, Keegan Petersen, Clyde Fortuin, Aviwe Mgijima, Michael Copeland, Christaan Jonker, Ferisco Adams, Shaun von Berg, Hardus Viljoen, Glenton Stuurman, Akhona Mnyaka, Achille Cloete, Siya Mahima, Imraan Manack, Jevano Baron, Adrian du Toit.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
