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The last time the Proteas faced India in an ODI prior to the recently-completed three-match series, they boasted a middle-order consisting of Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller.

Fast forward two years to the series decider in Vizag, and it was only Markram that remains - and that is only due to Tony de Zorzi’s hamstring injury. That is a collective loss of 309 ODI’s worth of experience. The replacements Matthew Breetzke (12) and Dewald Brevis (9) have a sum of 21 caps. 

Klaasen has since retired from all forms of international cricket and both Van der Dussen and Miller will be 38 by the time the home World Cup arrives in 2027.

It would be a fair judgement to assume that neither will be there. This leaves coach Shukri Conrad with precious little time to get the likes of Breetzke, Brevis and De Zorzi (22 caps), when he returns from injury, up to speed. 

It is for this reason, that despite “missing out on doing something really special”, Conrad feels his inexperienced batting line-up would have learnt invaluable lessons over the course of the last three matches. 

“I'd like to think that we'll take that learnings with us and then grow from there, especially our younger batters,” Conrad said after the 2-1 defeat.

“Like I say, part of this is building towards 2027, the World Cup in South Africa. And I'd like to think that a few things are starting to fall into place for that. 

“A lot of experience is built, and you gain so much more experience when you're up against the best. We were certainly up against the best over the last couple of weeks.”

Although it was India’s young gun, Yashasvi Jaiswal, that delivered the killer blow with his maiden ODI century to lead the home to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the series decider, the 23-year-old was batting between two of world’s premier white-ball batters in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 

The latter was in imperious form during the three-match series with Kohli striking back-to-back centuries and an undefeated 65 in Vizag to guide Jaiswal to his milestone. Equally, Sharma struck two classy half-centuries in the series. 

Conrad hoped his young batters were paying close attention to the masterclasses delivered out in the middle. 

“I thought we, again, didn't get off to the best of starts, lost a wicket in the first over. But lost wickets at the most inopportune times. Whenever we looked like we were getting something together, we'd lose an in-batter,” he said.

“Towards the back end, when Dewaldt and Marco (Jansen) get out in the same over to Kuldeep, you end up 40-50 runs shy of where you potentially could have been. Therein lies the learnings for us, for our young batters to see what the world's best does, ie Virat and Rohit, how they go about the business.

“They're a world-class side with world-class players. When Rohit's in the type of form, and Virat especially in the type of form that he's in, you cannot afford to be off your game.”

*This article was first published by IOL News

Bafana Bafana’s AFCON squad combines youth and experience, with newcomers Shandre Campbell, pictured, and Tylon Smith joining seasoned internationals, while notable names such as Themba Zwane and Iqraam Rayners miss out.

Bafana Bafana are set to embark on what could be one of their most important Africa Cup of Nations campaigns, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco next month. 

The national team returns to the continental stage as bronze medalists, a position they will be eager to improve upon. South Africa’s last AFCON triumph came in 1996, and while subsequent teams have come close, none have managed to replicate that golden era. 

This tournament offers a significant opportunity not only to chase continental glory but also to serve as an important preparatory stop ahead of next year’s Fifa World Cup.

Coach Hugo Broos named a 25-man squad on Monday, with only 23 players travelling to Morocco. The selection blends experienced internationals with emerging talent, while some key players have been left out. 

Mduduzi Shabalala, Thabo Moloisane, and Iqraam Rayners make up the untravelling reserves. The squad reflects a careful balance, providing depth and flexibility while also giving younger players the chance to gain experience at the senior level. 

There are a few eye-catching omissions, but Broos has also introduced fresh talent, signaling his intent to prepare a team capable of both immediate impact and long-term development.

Here we will break down some of the eye-catching inclusions and omissions.

For the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, selection was always going to be touch and go. Despite his undeniable quality, a recent injury may have cost him a spot in the squad, even though he has returned to action for his club. 

At 36 years old, Zwane’s inclusion would have been crucial, as, just like every player selected and those that have missed out, they know the tournament will play a key role in booking a ticket to the global tournament, and while the door is not closed, his omission will cut deep.

The Belgian Pro League player has been rewarded for his progress since leaving Supersport United to join Club Brugge last year. While his role in Morocco may largely be to gain experience, it also presents a chance to learn from senior players and push for a potential World Cup selection as he continues his development.

The former Stellenbosch FC reserves midfielder has grown in leaps and bounds, and his selection may have surprised some, considering the consistency of the squad during World Cup qualifiers. Smith, who was named Player of the Tournament at the recent U20 AFCON, will now have the chance to compete alongside South Africa’s best players at the senior tournament, gaining invaluable experience that could accelerate his growth at Queens Park Rangers and beyond.

Despite consistently strong performances, Iqraam Rayners will have to watch from home. The former Stellenbosch striker has scored nine goals across all competitions, but selection preferences have left him on the sidelines, with only a late forced change providing a chance to make the squad for the tournament.

Bafana Bafana will open their campaign against Angola on 22 December, face Egypt on Boxing Day, and conclude the group stage against neighbours Zimbabwe on 29 December. With a blend of youth, experience, and tactical balance, Broos’ squad will aim to make a strong statement in Morocco while laying a solid foundation for South Africa’s ambitions on the world stage.

*This article was first published by IOL News

By Mpho Sekharume

After a 3-year spell without a major trophy to call their own, the Flexbrands Knights have emphatically ended their silverware drought by clinching the CSA T20 Knockout title in a dramatic and rain-affected final at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The 11-run victory over the determined Eastern Cape Iinyathi on Monday, which was forced into a reserve day due to poor weather, was a testament to the team’s balance, individual brilliance, and, crucially, the deep well of experience within their ranks. This championship confirms the Knights’ resurgence and sends a clear message that they are a force ready to challenge again at the highest level of South African domestic cricket. The foundation of the victory was laid by a calculated batting display that saw the Knights post a respectable total of 155 for seven. This score, achieved after resuming their innings on the reserve day, might have seemed twenty runs short to some, but it owed everything to the patience and composure of opener Isaac Dikgale. While the high-risk T20 format often demands aggression, Dikgale provided the indispensable anchor, batting through the entire twenty overs to finish unbeaten on 57 runs from 51 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, ensuring that wickets did not tumble in clusters and providing a launchpad for the middle-order hitters. Partnering him to inject much-needed pace was the explosive Gerrit Snyman, who thrashed a vital 26 runs off just 14 balls, setting an aggressive tone that lifted the scoring rate just when the Iinyathi bowlers were beginning to find rhythm. Despite the solid total, the final was far from over. The Eastern Cape side began their chase with confidence, led by Nathan Roux, and the match remained on a knife-edge well into the second half of the innings. It was here, in the pressure cooker of the chase, that the individual heroics merged seamlessly with collective experience to turn the tide. Snyman, not content with his batting contribution, stepped up to deliver a decisive spell of offspin with the ball in hand. In the 13th over, Snyman engineered a monumental swing in momentum, trapping two set batsmen leg-before-wicket (LBW) with just two deliveries. This double strike was the moment the Iinyathi’s momentum was broken, collapsing their run rate and forcing the remaining batsmen to take highrisk chances against a tightening field. The effectiveness of this breakthrough was cemented by the added composure of the bowling attack in the death overs, where the experience of veterans like Malusi Siboto proved quite invaluable. Having faced countless high-pressure situations throughout his career, Siboto led the charge, ensuring that even as the opposition tried to scramble for runs, the lines and lengths remained disciplined. He received excellent support from the pace of Sisanda Magala, who kept the run scoring in check with tight figures, proving that in a final, wickets and control are equally important. The Knights might have felt they could have posted more runs on tje day, but it was the collective experience of the bowling unit that truly shone through under extreme pressure. This allowed them to execute their plans precisely when the contest was at its most critical phase. The Iinyathi ultimately fell short, finishing on 144 for six, leaving the Knights to celebrate an 11-run win that was thoroughly earned through balanced teamwork, a great collaborative effort from Dikgale and Snyman, as well as the calm guidance of their experienced leadership. This victory is not just a trophy, but a powerful statement of intent for the coming seasons. After the momentous triumph, the Knights will now enjoy a short break before their focus immediately shifts back to the CSA 4-Day Series. The long-format competition is their next major goal as it provides them the platform to pursue promotion back to top flight cricket in Division One. The Mangaug outfit returns to action on Thursday, 11 December 2025, when they travel to the Diamond Oval in Kimberley to face their provincial rivals, the Northern Cape Heat, in what is sure to be a fiercely contested match.

TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic says his team is eager for even more success as they aim to end the year inside the top eight.

The Rockets recorded their fourth straight victory at Mbombela Stadium with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Golden Arrows, moving them up to sixth place with 19 points collected from the 12 matches they have played this season.

Beganovic and his chargers not only extended their impressive run of form but also handed Manqoba Mngqithi and his side their third defeat in four games.

Attention will now turn to their next challenge against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (18:00 kickoff), a potential tie-breaker with both teams sitting level on 19 points from 12 fixtures.

Although their home form has been impressive, the Galaxy coach will approach the upcoming clash mindful that their performances away from home have been far less reliable. They have suffered three defeats in their last five away matches, picked up just one draw, and their only victory on the road came in a 3-1 win over Orbit College in August.

Beganovic drew a lot of confidence from his side’s victory over Abafana Bes’thende and expressed satisfaction with the progress they have made with help from the Fifa break.

“It was a difficult game, Arrows is always a tough opponent and they play on transition and its so difficult to defend against them. Beganovic told Supersport TV.

“We know every team, and we prepare for every team, we are still hungry for points and we want to improve more and more with every game. We used the Fifa break to prepare our team to look physically good to run for the 90 minutes.”

The Bosnian mentor added that he has been putting in steady work to bring his team to a unified level, ensuring every player meets the required standard so that performance levels remain consistent on match days.

With the season set for another lengthy break soon, the 42-year-old coach outlined a few goals for his side to ensure they finish the year strongly, especially after their difficulties with the Fifa ban and the struggles they faced at the start of the season.

“We had some injuries but we sorted everything out, we want every players on par, and I want to see the same attitude, fight and desire for winning from every player.

“We are still on 19 points and we still have two games to play, its our goal to stay in the top eight, I want to give credit to players and how we are growing together.” he concluded.

*This article was first published by IOL News

As the Orlando Pirates prepare to host Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou remains firmly optimistic about his squad’s progress and their adherence to his tactical philosophy.

Following a rocky start to the season, Ouaddou has successfully led the Buccaneers to an impressive turnaround, stringing together a series of victories that have reinvigorated their title ambitions.

The season began with uncertainty for Ouaddou, as questions about his appointment lingered after two consecutive defeats in the Betway Premiership. However, the situation quickly transformed following the Buccaneers’ triumphant run, marked by four consecutive wins in the MTN8 and seven victories from their next eight league fixtures.

This resurgence has brought them within striking distance of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, with Pirates sitting just three points behind and still holding two games in hand.

Central to their success has been a focus on discipline and tactical consistency.

“Step by step they get it; you can see that the players are on the project,” Ouaddou said regarding his squad’s adaptation to his game plan.

“We want to score goals and we want to be tactically disciplined. You can see that Orlando Pirates are consistent, they’re strong — it’s not easy to score goals against us.”

With their last league outing resulting in a commanding 3-1 victory over Golden Arrows, Pirates have also secured a place in the Carling Knockout final against Marumo Gallants on December 6.

This success highlighted stellar performances from players such as Tshepang Moremi, who has made an impactful entrance since joining from Usuthu. The 25-year-old winger has energised the squad with eight goals in 17 appearances and has emerged as a key figure during the recent streak.

In contrast, Chippa United are struggling at the bottom of the league table, still searching for their first win under new manager Vusumuzi Vilakazi. Despite a promising start with a 0-0 draw against Magesi, the club remain two points adrift of safety after a tough opening, including a 3-0 defeat to AmaZulu.

Pirates’ upcoming opposition have faced defensive challenges, conceding the second-most goals in the league this season. Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali will be crucial to Chippa’s hopes of holding back a prolific Pirates attack.

Despite his efforts, including three clean sheets from 11 starts, the pressure remains on Chippa’s defence, which has let in 19 goals so far.

As the teams prepare to clash, the dynamics are clear: Orlando Pirates are riding a wave of confidence, while Chippa United grapple with instability. The Buccaneers hope to continue their ascent, while Chippa aim to pull off a surprise and turn their season around.

*This article was first published by IOL News

The blossoming coaching duo of Dr Elsje Jordaan and Bongi Msomi, who   led the Gauteng Golden Fireballs to Telkom Netball League glory earlier this year, will hope to do the same for the Johannesburg under-21 and senior teams at next week’s Spar National Netball League in Boksburg, Gauteng.

The triumph in Durban heralded the extension of a fruitful partnership going back to the days when Msomi, the celebrated former national team skipper, played under Jordaan at the Fireballs and for the Proteas.

She took another huge step forward in her fledgling coaching career as Jordaan’s assistant at the TNL but continues to prove herself as a head coach – guiding the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to the 2025 USSA title. Her reputation would only be enhanced should she guide the Johannesburg Netball Association (JNA) U21 A-side to back-to-back titles. 

“I’m super-excited to have another chance to coach the JNA team. We did really well last year and finished as champions,” Msomi said. 

“We know this year is going to be tough. All the Under-21s that were part of the World Cup (in Gibraltar) are back in their districts, which is gong to lead to great competition. It’s hard to tell who is going to be at the top but, like we did last year, we’re going to take it one game at a time.”

While the Baby Proteas will be back in action, the Proteas players will miss this year’s championships as they will be in camp preparing to defend their African Netball Cup title in Malawi early in December.

With a record 119 districts competing for the senior A title at the championships, Jordaan also knows that she will have her work cut out for her in trying to secure a fourth title in a row for the Johannesburg senior team.

“JNA have won the championships in the last three years and we’re proud of those results, but it’s a new year with new challenges and teams, and we are working hard at the moment and we’re hoping that we can defend our title. We hope for a good tournament where we can play good, solid netball,” she said.

More than 2 200 players and 196 umpires and technical officials will descend on Dr EG Jansen High School for the feast of netball from Monday, December 1. 

*This article was first published by iol News