Hollywoodbets Dolphins batter Marques Ackerman will once again captain the South Africa A (SA A) side in their upcoming inbound tour against New Zealand A, set to take place later this month.
The two teams will contest three 50-over matches at Willowmoore Park in Benoni from 30 August - 03 September, followed by a four-day match at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom (7 to 10 September), before wrapping up the tour with a second four-day match at Willowmoore Park from 14 to 17 September.
Both squads retain the core group of players who recently toured West Indies, where Ackerman led SA A to commanding 2-0 series wins in both the one-day and four-day formats.
Proteas Men’s fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka have been included in both squads.
North West Dragons batter Rubin Hermann, who recently made his T20 International debut in the tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand, has been named in the One-Day squad. Meanwhile, Proteas-capped and DP World Lions batter Zubayr Hamza returns to the SA A setup as part of the four-day squad.
Momentum Multiply Titans slow-left arm spinner Tsepo Ndwandwa has earned his maiden SA A call-up following impressive performances for the Titans and the SA Emerging side during their tour to Bangladesh in May.
Head coach Wandile Gwavu said: “With the team having done well on our recent tour of West Indies, it was important for us to show faith in the majority of that same squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand.
“I believe that continuity builds trust and confidence among the players, and reinforces the purpose of SA A as a platform for future Proteas.
“I was really impressed with how Marques led the team during the West Indies tour. The entire changeroom wanted to play for him, and that’s always a great sign. It was an easy and straightforward decision to back him again, and I’m definitely looking forward to working with him on this upcoming tour.”
“Gerald and Kwena add valuable international experience and skill, and with Bjorn Fortuin unavailable due to a groin injury, Tsepo’s selection is well deserved based on his recent performances.
“Playing in our own backyard in familiar conditions is definitely an added advantage, and we’re definitely looking forward to competing strongly and building on the momentum we’ve created,” concluded Gwavu.
SOUTH AFRICA A ONE-DAY SQUAD AGAINST NEW ZEALAND A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
SOUTH AFRICA A FOUR-DAY SQUAD AGAINST NEW ZEALAND A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).
Management
Wandile Gwavu (Head Coach), Riaan Osman (Manager), Justin Ontong (Batting Coach), Quinton Friend (Bowling Coach), Mangi Mosehle (Fielding Coach), Laden Gamiet (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Brent Martin (Physiotherapist), and Abram Ndhlovu (Team Analyst).
FIXTURES
One-Day Matches
Saturday, 30 August at 10am
South Africa A v New Zealand A - Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Monday, 1 September at 10am
South Africa A v New Zealand A - Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Wednesday, 3 September at 10am
South Africa A v New Zealand A - Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Four-Day Matches
7 - 10 September at 10am
South Africa A v New Zealand A - JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
14 - 17 September at 10am
South Africa A v New Zealand A - Willowmoore Park, Benoni