Belief Beyond Age: Maketa Confident SA u19 Men Are Ready for the Challenge
WINDHOEK: South Africa u19 Men‘s head coach, Malibongwe Maketa, has expressed unwavering belief in his squad as they prepare to take on the world at the ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, in Namibia and Zimbabwe.
South Africa, drawn in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Tanzania, and the West Indies, will be based in Windhoek, Namibia, for all group stage matches, with the later knockout rounds set to take place in Zimbabwe.
Maketa emphasised that the squad was meticulously selected following extensive observation and performance tracking across national programmes.
“This group of Junior Proteas has been preparing for this moment for the last two years, identified through Cricket South Africa‘s (CSA) pathway structures and further developed through multiple camps and Youth Series,” Maketa explained.
He highlighted the players’ ability to balance academic commitments and cricket, noting that JJ Basson, Michael Kruiskamp, and Jason Rowles will be starting matric in 2026.
Maketa also noted that the squad reflects the strength and reach of CSA’s national pathways system, which continues to discover and develop talent from across the country, including township schools and under-resourced communities.
“Having worked with these players for an extended period, we’ve been able to monitor their progress through camps and assess their performances at Khaya Majola and Cubs Week. Through this, we believe we’ve identified the right characters to perform under the pressures of a World Cup.
“This team is a testament to the effectiveness of our pathway. All of these players have developed through a structured system where they were identified early and given opportunities, benefiting from excellent facilities and coaching through the Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP) monitoring the provinces.
Maketa said that age is no barrier to belief or ambition: “Our players may be young in years, but their maturity, discipline, and commitment to each other stand beyond their age. We don’t see them as just juniors; we see them as competitors ready to carry the hopes of a nation.”
Looking ahead to the tournament, Maketa urged South Africans to rally behind a team that embodies both the present and future of the sport.
“I’d like South Africans to understand that this team represents the future of our game. These players, though young, are committed, disciplined, and deeply proud to represent their country. They’ve earned their place through hard work and sacrifice, and they will compete with courage and humility,” Maketa concluded.
South Africa u19 Squad: ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026
JJ Basson(Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Corne Botha (Lions), Muhammad Bulbulia (KZN Inland), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (SWD), Michael Kruiskamp (Western Province), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Armaan Manack (Lions), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Jason Rowles (Lions), Ntandoyenkosi Soni (Eastern Province), Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).
SA u19 Men Fixtures: ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 (15 January – 6 February – all matches start at 09:30)
Friday, 16 January, Afghanistan v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
Monday, 19 January, South Africa v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
Thursday, 22 January, West Indies v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
Tuesday, 3 February, First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Wednesday, 4 February, Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Friday, 0 February, Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
