CSA unveiled its new Powerade Centre of Excellence, along with the National Academy Men’s and Women’s sides.
The announcement took place on Thursday in Pretoria at their new facility. The players announced by CSA were in training at the Centre of Excellence since Monday, 21 May and will be based in the capital until 27 July. Thereafter, the South Africa Emerging Men’s squad will be named for a tour of Sri Lanka in August which will consist of three four-day matches and three one-day matches. The pool of the squad is widely spread with most of the franchises and CSA members well represented in the initial squads for both the men’s and women’s side.
The participants have been selected with high levels that represent current and future playing and training opportunities and stem from initiatives created as part of the new CSA Player Performance Plan (PPP).
CSA general manager of cricket Corrie van Zyl said the National Academy programme plays an integral role in preparing players for the gruelling demands of the next level.
‘The Powerade National Academy programme forms a very strategic part of our developmental pipeline and has as its aim, to prepare young players for the demands of professional cricket. These selected players that are carefully identified include previous graduates of the SA U19s package, performing senior provincial and emerging franchise players,’ said Van Zyl.
‘This group of players will benefit primarily from an enhanced cricket experience as they work within our system and high-performance programmes. Our focus will be on improving the all-round skills that the modern-day game demands, as well as assisting each player by challenging them to grow as individuals away from the field. Together with our partner, Powerade, we remain committed to developing young South African sportsmen and women by providing them with the necessary platforms to achieve their ultimate sporting goals.’
National Academy Men’s Squad: Ryan Rickleton (Highveld Lions), Jiveshan Pillay (Titans), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Tony de Zorzi (Titans), Kagiso Rapulana (Highveld Lions), Raynard van Tonder (Knights), Thsepang Dithole (Highveld Lions), Gary Mahlokana (Titans), Smangaliso Nhlebela (Dolphins), Junaid Dawood (Cape Cobras), Onke Nyaku (Warriors), Ethan Bosch (Dolphins), Nandre Burger (Highveld Lions), Kerwin Mungroo (Dolphins), Mthiwekhaya Nabe (Cape Cobras), Sinethemba Qeshile (Warriors), Lutho Sipamla
National Academy Women’s Squad: Palesa Mapoo (Gauteng), Nadia Mbokotwana (WP), Saarah Smith (WP), Nondumiso Shangase (KZN Coastal), Izel Cilliers (Free State), Anneke Bosch (North West), Robyn Searle (Gauteng), Tumi Sekhukhune (Easterns), Stacey Lackay (Boland), Gandhi Jafta (Border), Lara Goodall (WP), Tatum le Roux (WP), Zintle Mali (Border), Faye Tunnicliffe (Boland), Robyn Searle, Alyssa Erxleben, Nobulumko Baneti
