Eastern Storm first to name Khaya Majola side
Eastern Storm named their side for the 2025 Khaya Majola Week, announcing a squad of 12 players in August. The tournament takes place from 15 to 21 December in Bloemfontein.
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It is the first time that this prestigious week returns to the City of Roses since 2016. Cape Town hosted last year’s tournament, which, under the leadership of Benni Hansen, the hosts won, having beaten the previous champion, the Lions, by five wickets.
Easterns seem to have a powerful team on paper, although they only have two returning players from last year’s squad. Hence, the early selection, with the aim of providing proper preparation over the next three months.
Xavier Coetzee leads a strong Hans Moore foursome. In addition, the school from Benoni also boasts the most representatives in this year’s 12-man squad.
Coetzee, one of the two returning players, is joined by the destructive Shaw brothers, Kenan and Aiden Shaw, who add massive firepower to the side’s batting lineup. Stephan Vermaak is the fourth Hans Moore representative, with his all-round capabilities earning him a trip to Bloemfontein.
Hoërskool Marais Viljoen’s Jaden Govender is the only other returning player. Govender, likely to take up a leadership role within the camp, is joined by Marais Viljoen all-rounder, Abdullah Tadwalla. Tadwalla has been instrumental for the side from Alberton over the last couple of years, with his performances with both bat and ball justifying his selection.
Clayton Horlick and Mark Mvuna make up the duo from St Benedict’s College, ensuring that Marais Viljoen and The Bennies share the same number of players heading to Bloem.
Hoërskool Kempton Park‘s paceman, Kristiaan du Plessis, leads the list of sole representatives, as colleague Wian Pieters, who played in Cape Town, missed out on selection this year. Mpho Thipe (Kwa-Temba Hub), Paul Matlala (Elandpark School) and Thabiso Mabe (Duduza Hub) join Du Plessis as their school’s sole representatives.
Easterns Squad
Abdullah Tadwalla (Marais Viljoen), Aiden Shaw (Hans Moore), Clayton Horlick (St Benedict’s College), Jaden Govender (Marais Viljoen), Kenan Shaw (Hans Moore), Kristiaan du Plessis (Hoërskool Kempton Park), Mark Mvuna (St Benedict’s College), Mpho Thipe (Kwa-Tema Hub), Paul Matlala (Elandspark School), Stephan Vermaak (Hans Moore), Thabiso Mabe (Duduza Hub), Xavier Coetzee (Hans Moore).
