Gauteng Lions announce strong squad for Khaya Majola Week

The Gauteng Lions have a single goal as they prepare for the 2025 edition of the annual Khaya Majola Week: redemption, after falling at the final hurdle last year.

To achieve that, they have named an experienced and well-rounded team to travel to Bloemfontein for the tournament that will run from 16 to 21 December.

The Lions, who lost to Western Province in 2024’s title game, lifted the trophy in 2023 and will aim to make it two titles in three years.

“We have an exciting group with lots of talent and experience from previous Khaya Majola weeks. They are motivated to bring the title back to Joburg,” Ahmed Nawab, the Lions’ head coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.

The squad has seven players who represented the province last year: Sipho Potsane, Tahseen Hanslo, Morteza Manack, Armaan Manack, Jason Rowles, Corné Botha, and Kamogelo Phiri.

Rowles, Armaan Manack, JJ Basson, Botha, and Potsane also own international experience after representing the SA u19 squad, while Bafana Mthunzi was part of the SA Invitational team that played against Bangladesh‘s u19 team.

Nawab said the Lions’ selection process focused on picking a team that would have the best chance of winning the title in Bloemfontein. Therefore, the panel resolved to pick a side with both bowling and batting depth and, as a result, the Lions’ squad features several all-rounders.

“We are in a privileged position with a team comprising many quality all-rounders. This gives us good options with the ball and also allows us to mix it up when needed,” Nawab explained.

Rowles, Morteza Manack, Botha, and Wade McQuinn are their frontline all-rounders. The team also features four out-and-out bowlers in their pace duo of JJ Basson and Kyle Butler, and the spinners, Potsane and Hanslo. The quartet of Armaan Manack, Mthunzi, Troy Gordon, and Ombesa Matsha are the batsmen, while Phiri is the designated wicketkeeper.

The squad includes players from six schools: Queens High, Jeppe, St David’s Marist Inanda, St Stithians College, King Edward VII (KES), and Hoërskool Noordheuwel.

St David’s has the most representatives with five: Armaan and Morteza Manack, Rowles, Phiri, and Butler. Traditional powerhouse, KES, has Gordon and McQuinn flying their flag, while Hanslo and Matsha will seek to carry on the tradition of outstanding performances by St Stithians learners at the national week.

Basson, who recently signed a Betway SA20 contract with the Paarl Royals, will aim to make Noordheuwel proud, alongside Corné Botha. Queens High and Jeppe are represented by Mthunzi and Potsane, respectively.

In the coaching department, Nawab will be assisted by Tim Makgabutlane, and Willie van den Berg is the team manager.

Gauteng Lions u19 team

Armaan Manack (St Davids Marist Inanda), Bafana Mthunzi (Queens High School), Jason Rowles (St Davids Marist Inanda), Morteza Manack (St Davids Marist Inanda), Troy Gordon (King Edward VII), Kamogelo Phiri (St Davids Marist Inanda), Tahseen Hanslo (St Stithians College), Corne Botha (Hoërskool Noordheuwel), JJ Basson (Hoërskool Noordheuwel), Wade Mcquinn (King Edward VII), Sipho Potsane (Jeppe Boys High School), Kyle Butler (St Davids Marist Inanda), Ombesa Matsha (St Stithians College)

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CS Chiwanza

CS Chiwanza is a former poet and now a full-time storyteller of Southern African sports. He jokes that those who can't do a thing well enough either teach or write. He knows the right way to hold a cricket bat and the right grip for the wobbleball, but can't do either well enough to be picked for a good team. So he writes. However, he mastered the best dart grip and spends hours stat-padding against his wife and kids.

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