Rhinos name brand new squad for Khaya Majola Week

The Mpumalanga Rhinos have announced a completely new squad for the 2025 Khaya Majola Week, which takes place from 15 to 21 December in Bloemfontein.

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With no returning players, the squad comprises 13 debutants travelling to the Free State. However, this selection serves as testament to the Rhinos’ exceptional junior development structures, as all 13 players participated in either the Regional Under-17 Week or the Under-16 National Week last year.

Seven players featured in last year’s Under-17 week, whilst five have graduated directly from the Under-16 week to this higher level.

In addition to the five graduates, Shaun Neethling also makes the step up to join the Khaya Majola side as assistant coach. Neethling will provide crucial support to head coach Raymond Ramahlo, who will be eager for his side to make significant progress during the week in Bloemfontein.

Xavier Visagie, last year’s Under-17 captain, will be the sole Cambridge Academy representative. Visagie is joined by Mfundo Mthimunye, one of two Uplands College players. Mthimunye made his mark at last year’s Under-16 week.

Hoërskool Middelburg and Emba Hub boast the joint-highest representation in the 13-man squad, with three players each.

The Middies are the defending champions and current leaders in the Mpumalanga High School Premier League, as well as the reigning Schools SA20 provincial champions. They also reached the final of the Fain Noordvaal competition at the end of last year.

The dynamic Gavin Genis is joined by fellow all-rounder Herman Potgieter and his 2024 Under-16 week captain, Eduan Strydom. All three are currently in Grade 11, potentially making this the first of two consecutive Khaya Majola appearances, barring injury.

Emba is represented by Bulelani Mgwevu, Nhlakanipo Moshelane and Alfredo Skhosana. All three, like Xavier Visagie, are graduates from the Under-17 level.

Janco Breyl, who also played alongside this quartet last year, is the only Hoërskool Nelspruit representative. Zeeshan Ibrahim of Hoërskool Hoogenhout and Umar Badat, a stalwart of Hoërskool Secunda, are the sole representatives from their respective schools, and join Visagie and the remainder of last year’s Under-17 contingent as graduates of the week. Umair Cheema carries the flag for Bergvlam, as another youngster joining the Middelburg trio and Mthimunye in what could be the first of two years at the week.

Leam van Zyl, Mthimunye’s colleague from Uplands College, is the only player travelling to Bloemfontein without having represented a provincial side in 2024. However, Van Zyl has been an outstanding performer for Uplands, consistently delivering strong performances that finally earned him a call-up at what can only be described as the perfect moment.