The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Hubs Challenge is set to make a triumphant return this week, shining a spotlight on the burgeoning talent emerging from the country’s cricket HUBs.
Living with a strategic thinker who thinks outside of our normal life boxes and sees connectivity in things some of us can’t even anticipate, I just have to say, or admit, someone was right…
When I told her about HUBs and she, through club cricket and WPCA, learned how HUBs function and what their end goal is, I ended up volunteering as a coach for newly recruited junior players. At the time, It was suggested as a means to help eliminate extra work for the head HUB coach so he could focus on rebuilding the player morale, skillset and focus on the youth players already within the clubs and HUB data-base. This absolutely insane woman would later express that the recruiting process of 2022/23 had 2027 intentions of getting those players ready for the return of CSA HUB Challenges or HUB based national competitions that may or may not replace the HUB Challenge. At the time, the aim was to have those junior recruits become youth players, ready by 2027 for this program or anything similar to it. And if the youth boys under the Head HUB coach at the time would be ready for the 2024 program, names would be submitted, but essentially, the target year was definitely 2027 for the group I had been assisting with.
So back to this week and March 2024 ending with this epic return. The CSA HUB Challenge kicked off at Willowmoore Park in Benoni from 22nd of March and will carry on till the 25 of March 2024, the first leg of the tournament promised an exhilarating display of cricketing prowess, featuring eight formidable teams. Among these are Easterns, Lions, North West, Dolphins, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Titans, and KZN Inland, each poised to compete fiercely for victory.
As the action heats up, the tournament will journey to George from 28-31 March 2024 for its second leg. Here, cricket enthusiasts can expect to witness an electrifying clash of talent as Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Western Province, South West Districts, KEI, Free State, and Northern Cape take center stage.
Set against the backdrop of 50-over matches, the 2024 CSA Hubs Challenge offers a premier platform for the next generation of cricketers to showcase their skills and make their mark on the national stage. From blistering centuries to pinpoint bowling, fans can anticipate a spectacle of talent and determination as these young athletes seize the opportunity to shine.
SQUADS FOR BENONI (22-25 MARCH 2024)
Easterns – Nkosi Banele, Thipe Mpho, Mlisa Ofentse, Mabanga Sabelo, Khan Riyaad, Sibisi Nkosibonile, Nxumalo Bheki, Mngomezulu Mpho, Maila Kabelo, Mahlangu Owami, Sikhosana Sibusiso, Beya Luyanda
Lions – Bahatane Ntokozo, Seroke Omphemetse, Mothabi Sentebale, Hlongwane Mpho, Bhadat Hamza, Nelani Thami, Matamane Tshehla, Mafareka Khauhelo, Magatya Bulumko, Sibeko Lesedi, Leboya Tebogo, Nwafor Nathan
North West – Bulbulia Issa, Memani Lethabo, Scott Olebogeng, Molebatsi Paballo, Khan Antonio, Molefi Katlego, Motingoe Tshiamo, Matjoi Thuto, Kalaote Kgothatso, Rangwaga Omphile, Tshotetsi Galebowe, Marumagae Prince.
Dolphins – Qwabe Sibani, Mthembu Asanda, Hanif Naseem, Ramawtar Joshua, Ntuli Olwethu, Majozi Siyamthanda, Ndlovu Nqubeko, Mnguni Sanele, Shozi Akhule, Chunder Mithel, Gopalan Justin, Dlodlo Lusanda.
Mpumalanga – Mabandla Velly, Mashele Bonga, Khumalo Vezi, Mkhonto Forlan, Tibane Tebogo, Skhosana Alfredo, Nsibande Andile, Mosehlane Gift, Mnisi Hope, Mgwevu Bulelani, Mbiza Joy, Mhaule Mnelisi
Limpopo – Shibodze Nhlamulo, Kekae Lesedi, Hlathi Winston Junior, Mathebula Almighty Benjie, Baloyi Junior OM, Chauke Rivhoningo Ayanda, Molapo Aki Tebogo, Rikhotso Rito Bradley, Mashaba Mandla, Sehata Victor, Sekuba Mahlodi, Shiviri Allen.
Titans – Kunene Lethabo, Modiba Teko, Semenya Keamogetswe, Patel Rehaan, Mogashoa Kholofelo, Chauke Ditebogo, Mabena Lesedi, Hlahla Amogelang, Phahlamohlaka Lethabo, Laka Tshepang, Maluleke Gift, Borabat Mohamed.
KZN Inland – Ngcobo Siphosethu, Ndlovu Thubelihle, Mabasa Lwazi, Ngcobo Aphile, Gumede Simelokuhle, Nqayi Akhona, Nzama Aphile, Madlala Kwanele, Mthembu Lindani, Gasa Esihle, Zondi Luyanda, David Marcus.
SQUADS FOR GEORGE (28-31 MARCH 2024)
Boland – Jacobs Jevohndre, Hoffman Matthew, Truter Jaron, Jacobs Shane, Julies Ryall, Adams Taywin, Abrahams Zayd, La Douce Tylor, Parsley Stanley, Cupido Josh, Latief Wageed, Latief Mueez.
Border – Oliphant Amyoli, Shiyani Iviwe, Mngini Awonke, Bontsi Akhanya, Gwane Gwane, Ntlanti Ntlanti, Masiko Mahle, Hartnick Canton, Bici Thulani, Simama Lilitha, Majiya Silungile, Ambesa Linda, Siyali Siyolise.
Eastern Province – Damons Jaydin, Kramer Connor, Petersen Daveric , October Luwaan, Joshua Smith, De Maar Perez, Mashiqa Luyanda, Rhonyile Zubenathi, Tshisa Indiphile, Mnyanda Thando, Sobili Aphelele, Wellem Akhanani.
Garden Route Badgers – Kitshini Enathi, Kitshini Igcobe, Bawuli Liviwe, Botha Kurt, Plaatjies Ducayne Coericius Keano, Karelse Josh, Plaatjies Sherwin, Williams Lastio, Goliath Jaywin, Witbooi Keano, Diamond Joshua.
Western Province – Damon Carl, Makeleni Sive, Erasmus Sloane, Florence Matthew, Inglis Zakariyah, Marillier Jamie , Mathabeni Olwethu, Bula Inam , Julies Mondre, Mguye Nande, Ntamo Ayanda,Moosa Lee
KEI – Madikazi Asemahle, Madikazi Asithandile, Amila Joko, Nongalo Sinawo, Sele Sinakekele, Nkomonye Lukhanyo, Mnqabashe Melusi, Rhadebe Lizalise, Nika Qiqa, Bunye Mdumba, Liso Mfisi, Mtengwane Iviwe, Nhonwana Siphumeze.
Free State – Letube Thabo, Debese Nhlanhla, Ntlhokoe Tshipinare, Rasekoai Bokang, Tsubane Tseko, Maputle Tumelo, Mnyameni Luthando, Molale Onalenna, Direko Junior, Thetha Mongezi, Ntyibi Sandile, Nondwangu Khanyisile.
Northern Cape – Mabuya Rethabile, Jubeni Oratile, Mgobo Tebo, Matlhoko Ikanyeng, Lephoi Vusi, Lekoate Tumisho, Makatong Phumzile, Gabannelwe Tlhalefo, Diphaye Boitshelo, Thulare Palema, Jonas Omphile, Crisp Kgosi.
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