The eight Division 1 provincial teams have been named for the upcoming season. CARL LEWIS unpacks some intriguing signings in the ‘transfer market’ and the makeup of the squads.
The teams are Boland, Central Gauteng Lions, Eastern Province, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal (Coastal), North West, Northerns and Western Province.
We take a brief look at the biggest talking points and rate each squad and its transfers. First, we get an overview of the best signings and youngsters to watch.
Top transfers: Vernon Philander (WP), Stiaan van Zyl (Boland), Duanne Olivier (Gauteng), Senuran Muthusamy (North West) and Simon Harmer (Northerns).
Underrated signings: Jason Smith (Coastal Natal), Aaron Phangiso (Northerns), David Bedingham (WP), Wayne Parnell (WP) and Dane Paterson (EP).
Big things expected: Tristan Stubbs (EP), Achille Cloete (Boland), Gerald Coetzee (Free State) and Marco Jansen (EP).
Let’s take a look at each province in Division 1.
KwaZulu-Natal (Coastal)
They have kept the majority of the successful Dolphins unit together from last year. However, they did make some interesting young signings in Jason Smith, Bryce Parsons and Thando Ntini that will improve the squad and potentially be good for their respective careers. The loss of Senuran Muthusamy is a big blow; his spin partnership with Prenelan Subrayen was a fruitful one.
Interesting transfers: Jason Smith and Thando Ntini.
Key players: Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen and Prenelan Subrayen.
Nationally contracted: Andile Phehlukwayo, David Miller and Keshav Maharaj.
Squad rating: 8/10
Central Gauteng Lions
The Central Gauteng Lions have kept pretty much the same squad as the Lions franchise. The addition of former Proteas quick Duanne Olivier is a huge boost and he will complement Sisanda Magala, Lutho Sipamla and Malusi Siboto well. The loss of Dwaine Pretorius might not be felt if Wiaan Mulder stays fit.
Interesting transfers: Duanne Olivier.
Key players: Sarel Erwee. Ryan Rickleton, Wiaan Mulder and Sisanda Magala.
Nationally contracted: Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks.
Squad rating: 8/10
Boland
An exciting squad is being built in Paarl as Boland signed the Malan brothers while it is a homecoming for Stiaan Van Zyl as well. On the bowling front, Kyle Abbott and Hardus Viljoen will lead the attack. Look out for exciting young quick Achille Cloete. Former Warriors keeper Clyde Fortuin could also see his career reignited. The squad is laden with quality but perhaps not depth.
Interesting transfers: Janneman Malan, Pieter Malan, Stiaan van Zyl, Shaun von Berg, Hardus Viljoen and Kyle Abbott.
Key players: Janneman Malan and Stiaan van Zyl.
Nationally contracted: None
Squad rating: 7.5/10
North West
Much like Boland, North West have also made some smart signings in all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy and experienced batter Heino Kuhn. They should have a competitive XI but depth is also an issue here.
Interesting transfers: Senuran Muthusamy, Duan Jansen and Heino Kuhn.
Key players: Delano Potgieter, Wesley Marshall and Nono Pongolo.
Nationally contracted: Dwaine Pretorius.
Squad rating: 6.5/10
Eastern Province
This squad certainly has the potential to make an impact or even a run for a trophy. They are loaded with experienced campaigners like JJ Smuts, Rudi Second and Dane Paterson. There is also some promising youngsters with national-team potential in the squad like Sinethemba Qeshile, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen. Paterson and Stuurman make up a potentially potent and probing fast-bowling pairing.
Interesting transfers: Dane Paterson and Diego Rosier.
Key players: Eddie Moore, Glenton Stuurman and Sinethemba Qeshile.
Nationally contracted: Anrich Nortje.
Squad rating: 8/10
Northerns Titans
The Titans are always going to be one of the title contenders. They’ve also been busy in the ‘transfer market’ adding experience in Simon Harmer, Aaron Phangiso and Chris Morris. The spin duo of Phangiso and Harmer do excite. They’ve made other intriguing signings in all-rounder Aya Gqamane and Gihahn Cloete. There are question marks over their batting unit’s application (without Proteas) but not talent.
Interesting transfers: Gihahn Cloete, Aaron Phangiso, Simon Harmer, Aya Gqamane, Corbin Bosch.
Key players: Theunis de Bruyn, Lizaad Williams and Simon Harmer.
Nationally contracted: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi.
Squad rating: 9/10
Free State
Free State have kept much the same squad as the Knights. Only Mangaliso Mosehle and Gregory Mohlokwana have been added from outside the union. Free State have veteran batsmen alongside their promising young batter Raynard van Tonder. The fast-bowling pairing of Gerald Coetzee and Migael Pretorius is one to watch.
Interesting transfers: Mangaliso Mosehle Gregory Mohlokwana.
Key players: Raynard van Tonder, Farhaan Berhardien and Migael Pretorius.
Nationally contracted: None
Squad rating: 7.5/10
Western Province
The Western Province squad has been lifted from average to title contenders by the raft of experience signings they’ve made. The Cape side has struggled in recent years and the experience added was a definite hole to plug. They still have some exciting talent in George Linde, David Bedingham (resigned) and Kyle Verreynne. There could be a reason for optimism in Cape Town again after looking at this squad.
Interesting transfers: Wayne Parnell, Hashim Amla, David Bedingham, Vernon Philander and Beuran Hendricks.
Key players: Kyle Verreynne, George Linde and Vernon Philander.
Nationally contracted: Beuran Hendricks.
Squad rating: 9/10
