Three Border cricket stars have been selected to represent a select South African invitational side to take on England in a three-day warmup match at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
Border all-rounder Gionne Koopman, bowler Thandolwethu Mnyaka and batsman Somila Seyibokwe have been included in a 12-man squad that will come up against the best England has to offer.
The game will take place from December 15-17 and will be England’s first tune-up on a long South African tour.
“I think it is fantastic for Border cricket that these guys have been picked and it is fully deserved,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
The Invitational team will be led by Northern’s Aiden Markram who led the South African U19 team to World Cup glory last year and Pretoria University to the Red Bull Campus Challenge title this year.
The team will be coached by current Cricket SA (CSA) national academy head coach Shukri Conrad, who is adept at guiding young players.
“The squad consists mainly of SA Academy players plus a few who have just started to make their mark at franchise level,” commented CSA High Performance manager, Vinnie Barnes.
“It will be a wonderful opportunity for these players to show what they can do against world-class opposition.”
Seyibokwe, Mnyaka and Koopman have all been part of the Academy set-up and Seyibokwe and Mnyaka travelled with the Academy squad to compete against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Seyibokwe and Mnyaka are both Warriors contracted players, while Koopman is contracted to Border.
However, all three have turned out for both sides over the past year.
“I think all of them bring their own unique skill set to the team and they will be an asset in the match,” said Plaatjes.
They have been given a great opportunity here to impress against world-class opposition and they will be aiming to take the chance with both hands.
“It is all about utilising your opportunities and they have been given a big one here,” said Plaatjes.
“They will now get to showcase their skills against quality opposition and hopefully they will do well.”
The match will not have first-class status as both sides will be allowed to use their full squads so no one will miss out and every player will get a chance to shine.
SA Invitation squad: Aiden Markram (Northerns, capt), Gionne Koopman (Border), Luthando Mnyanda (SWD), Zubayr Hamza (WP), Somila Seyibokwe (Border), Heinrich Klaasen (Northerns, wickie), Simon Khomari (Boland), Andile Phehlukwayo (KZN), Johannes Diseko (North West), Thandolwethu Mnyaka (Border), Junior Dala (Northerns), Ruben Claassen (Northerns).
Border trio picked to take on mighty England
Border all-rounder Gionne Koopman, bowler Thandolwethu Mnyaka and batsman Somila Seyibokwe have been included in a 12-man squad that will come up against the best England has to offer.
The game will take place from December 15-17 and will be England’s first tune-up on a long South African tour.
“I think it is fantastic for Border cricket that these guys have been picked and it is fully deserved,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
The Invitational team will be led by Northern’s Aiden Markram who led the South African U19 team to World Cup glory last year and Pretoria University to the Red Bull Campus Challenge title this year.
The team will be coached by current Cricket SA (CSA) national academy head coach Shukri Conrad, who is adept at guiding young players.
“The squad consists mainly of SA Academy players plus a few who have just started to make their mark at franchise level,” commented CSA High Performance manager, Vinnie Barnes.
“It will be a wonderful opportunity for these players to show what they can do against world-class opposition.”
Seyibokwe, Mnyaka and Koopman have all been part of the Academy set-up and Seyibokwe and Mnyaka travelled with the Academy squad to compete against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Seyibokwe and Mnyaka are both Warriors contracted players, while Koopman is contracted to Border.
However, all three have turned out for both sides over the past year.
“I think all of them bring their own unique skill set to the team and they will be an asset in the match,” said Plaatjes.
They have been given a great opportunity here to impress against world-class opposition and they will be aiming to take the chance with both hands.
“It is all about utilising your opportunities and they have been given a big one here,” said Plaatjes.
“They will now get to showcase their skills against quality opposition and hopefully they will do well.”
The match will not have first-class status as both sides will be allowed to use their full squads so no one will miss out and every player will get a chance to shine.
SA Invitation squad: Aiden Markram (Northerns, capt), Gionne Koopman (Border), Luthando Mnyanda (SWD), Zubayr Hamza (WP), Somila Seyibokwe (Border), Heinrich Klaasen (Northerns, wickie), Simon Khomari (Boland), Andile Phehlukwayo (KZN), Johannes Diseko (North West), Thandolwethu Mnyaka (Border), Junior Dala (Northerns), Ruben Claassen (Northerns).
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