The Warriors officially announced their squad for the upcoming 2018-19 season on Thursday morning, featuring five Border players in the Franchise team’s mix.
Regular Warriors stars Aya Gqamane, Christiaan Jonker and Mohammed Vallie retained their contracts once again and should play integral parts in their upcoming season.
But it will be exciting times for new signings Sinethemba Qeshile and Sithembile Langa, who officially received their first contracts at the franchise.
For 19-year-old Qeshile it has been a whirlwind six or so months since matriculating from Hudson Park High, being named player of the tournament at the 2017 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola week, making his Border debut and then making his Warriors debut, all in double quick time.
He is clearly seen as one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in the country and will be eager to repay the faith shown in him by the Warriors.
“I was very chuffed when I heard. I was actually looking forward to meeting up with the Warriors guys to see how they operate and learn new things,” said Qeshile.
“Coming off my first game, scoring a half century, I think I need to kick on now and get better and learn new things.”
Qeshile is a wicketkeeper-batsman, but is also extremely good in the field, so it will be interesting to see where he is deployed by the Warriors.
He will have the added benefit of a familiar face at the franchise when he arrives after it was confirmed that his coach at the Fort Hare Academy, Mfuneko Ngam, was named as assistant coach to the team.
“I don’t really mind where I play. I will play wherever they need me but I would love to get a chance behind the stumps,” said Qeshile.
“It is really nice to have someone you have worked with and also the area that he comes from makes me feel comfortable, so it is really nice for me to work with Mr Ngam at the Warriors.”
For Langa it is just reward for the hard work that he put in at Border over the 2017-18 season, where he impressed on a number of occasions and also made his Warriors debut during the campaign.
He was subsequently named Border’s bowler of the season and will now have the chance to show his talent at the Warriors.
“It is such a great honour to get a Warriors contract.
“I was actually looking at my options when I found out, so I decided to stay in my province and give my best to the Warriors in the coming season,” said Langa.
“I think one of the things that helped me get this contract was being named Border’s bowler of the season, as they realised they can’t let me go since I am the future for them.
“I am looking forward to be a more permanent part of the Warriors. I have been with them before and played a few games, but now I think I will spend more time up there with the team, which is very exciting.
“It is not going to be easy. There will be ups and downs, but I will just have to endure, and I am sure things will get better and better the longer I am with the team and the more I get used to the system.”..