The Titans, Ram Slam T20 and Sunfoil four-day champions, have signed a ‘youth and experience’ squad to carry them forward next season.
Chief among these is the return of Theunis de Bruyn, who made his Test and T20I debuts last year, from the Knights, where he was captain for two seasons. The Titans have also lured Cobras paceman Tshepo Moreki, an all-format player who has featured in over 100 games at provincial and franchise level.
Discussions are continuing regarding the availability of AB de Villiers who, when announcing his retirement from all international cricket, said he was looking forward to turning out for the Titans.
Meanwhile, rookie contracts have been awarded to Corbin Bosch and Wandile Makwetu.
Malusi Siboto has left the franchise, following the expiry of his contract, while Rowan Richards has been released.
‘We saw an opening in our batting lineup and believe Theunis can definitely strengthen our batting unit,’ said coach Mark Boucher. ‘Not only is it a massive benefit to have him in our batting lineup, but his pace bowling will add another dimension.
‘It is an exciting squad. It’s a good balance of youth and experience and definitely one that has the potential to defend our two trophies and possibly put us in a position to win all three competitions.’
Bosch, a seamer out of the Northerns pipeline, has been on the fringe of the team, having made his debut with the red and white balls last season. The 23-year-old paceman has made six appearances so far and was a part of the squad that won a dramatic Sunfoil Series title.
Makwetu arrives at the franchise on the back of an impressive the summer behind the stumps and at the crease. The 19-year-old wicketkeeper starred at the U19 ICC World Cup earlier this year, before going on to make his first-class and List A debut for Northerns.
The Multiply Titans enjoyed another stellar season in 2017-18, which saw the Sky Blues become the first domestic franchise to win a hat-trick of T20 titles, before clinching the four-day title. While the team enjoyed success, strong individual performances led to national call-ups for Junior Dala, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram and Lungi Ngidi.
Titans 2018-19 squad: Andrea Agathagelou, Farhaan Behardien, Corbin Bosch, Junior Dala, Henry Davids, Theunis de Bruyn, Tony de Zorzi, Eldred Hawken, Heinrich Klaasen, Heino Kuhn, Wandile Makwetu, Tshepo Moreki, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Albie Morkel, Alfred Mothoa, Grant Thomson, Jonathan Vandiar, Shaun von Berg.
CSA contracted players: Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
