Three from KZN in SA Schools side, two make SA Colts

The Dolphins‘ Ross Coetzee, of Kearsney College and Nqobani Mokoena, from Northwood, were named in the South African Schools cricket team on Friday evening, where they were joined by the Tuskers’ Chad Mason, from Maritzburg College.

Coetzee was also honoured as the Best Batter in the Platinum section of the Khaya Majola Cricket Week after scoring 229 runs at an average of 57.3.

He was twice run out and yet still stood out in conditions in which the bowlers enjoyed much the better of the competition. During the week, only twice did teams score more than 250. That included 255/5 by the Dolphins on the last day against Boland, with Coetzee making 96.

The Best Bowler Award went to Raeeq Daniels, of Rondebosch Boys’ High, who took 14 wickets at 9.1. He was matched by Chad Mason, who also took 14, which included a spectacular match-winning 7/27 in the Tuskers’ crucial 47-run win over Free State. His wickets came at just 9.9 per stick.

Divan de Villiers, of Affies, received the Best All-Rounder Award, after scoring 162 runs at 54 and taking eight wickets.

It was, also, Nqobani Mokoena (see feature photo)’s all-round performances that won him selection for SA Schools. His batting was solid rather than spectacular, with three of his four innings taking him into the twenties, which was rare consistency at this year’s Khaya Majola Week. He also picked up nine wickets, including a superb 5/22 against Boland on the last day.

Dayalan Boyce, of Westville Boys’ High, made the SA Colts‘ team after turning out for the CSA Invitational XI, which produced a strong run in the Gold section. The Griffin‘s paceman bowled tidily, knocking over 10 batsmen at a cost of only 7.4 per wicket.

He was joined in the SA Colts’ team by Sandiswa Yeni. The Kearsney quick turned in some sharp performances, which included 3/22 against Eastern Province, 2/27 against Boland, and 2/8 against the Titans.

St David’s Marist Inanda led the way with the selections of Jason Rowles and Armaan Manack for SA Schools.

Kearsney produced Ross Coetzee in the SA Schools’ side and Sandiswa Yeni in the SA Colts’ team. Rondebosch, also, had one in the SA Schools side, Raeeq Daniels, and one in the SA Colts’ team, Timothy Short, his new ball partner for Western Province.

Bishops’ opening batsmen, Adnaan Lagadien and Kashief Josephs, were named in the SA Colts’ line-up.

Paul Matlala, from Elands Park School, who played alongside Dayalan Boyce in the CSA Invitational XI, made history by becoming the first player from a special needs school to be chosen for the SA Schools’ side. He was named the Gold section’s Best Bowler and Best All-Rounder after claiming 13 wickets at just 7.8 and scoring 88 runs at 29.3.

The Best Batter in the Gold section went to the Eastern Cape Iinyathi‘s Tré Gilbert. The Selborne College batsman totalled 152 runs at 50.7, scoring at a rate of 73.8.

Four players who the SA Schools’ team in 2023 missed out on selection this time around, including Richard Seletswane, of St Stithians College, who made it from 2021 to 2023.

Dakalo Leketa, from St Andrew’s School (Bloemfontein), made the SA Colts’ team in 2022, missed out on selection for either team in 2023, but was named in the SA Schools’ side this time around.

Wynberg Boys’ High‘s Beni Hansen was selected as captain of the SA Schools’ side for a second year in succession, which makes it three years in a row for Wynberg, whose Juan James led the 2022 team.

Hansen joins Woodridge‘s Mark Rushmere as a two-time captain. Rushmere led the side in 1982 and 1983, while Lee Barnard, of King Edward VII (KES), captained the team in 1974 and 1975. Hylton Ackerman, from Dale College, had previously achieved the feat in 1965 and 1966. He leads all players with six SA Schools selections.

TEAMS

SA Schools

Beni Hansen (Wynberg Boys’ High, Western Province – Captain), Ross Coetzee (Kearsney College, Dolphins), Christian Kind (Grey College, Free State), Jason Rowles (St David’s Marist, Central Gauteng Lions), Armaan Manack (St David’s Marist, Central Gauteng Lions), Divan de Villiers (Affies, Titans), Dakalo Leketa (St Andrew’s School, Free State), Raeeq Daniels (Rondebosch Boys’ High, Western Province), Enathi Kitshini (Thembalethu Hub, Garden Route Badgers), Chad Mason (Maritzburg College, Tuskers), Nqobani Mokoena (Northwood, Dolphins), Paul Matlala (Elands Park School, CSA Invitational XI).

SA Colts

Lethabo Phahlamaloka (Cornwall Hill College, Titans – Captain), Sabelo Mabanga (Actonville Hub, Easterns), Adnaan Lagadien (Bishops, Western Province), Pranav Raichetti (St Stithians College, Central Gauteng Lions), Steve Stolk (Menlopark, Titans), Kashief Joseph (Bishops, Western Province), Charl Prinsloo (Hoërskool Centurion, Titans), Timothy Short (Rondebosch Boys’ High, Western Province), Cayden Wilson (Pearson, Eastern Province), Dayalan Boyce (Westville Boys’ High, CSA Invitational XI), Ryall Julies (Paarl RPC, CSA Invitational XI), Sandiswa Yeni (Kearsney College, Dolphins).