Two ITEC Knights cricketers and one Free State Women’s players have been included the CSA’s Emerging Academy following stellar performances during the 2023/24 domestic season.

The Knight’s allrounder, Dian Forrester, has been included in the program to accelerate the development through specialised coaching and high-performance training.

Forrester, who scored more than combined 1000-runs in all three formats of the game and took close to 30 wickets, was recently named as the Knights Player of the Year.

He warned rewarded for his outstanding first senior season with a full contract at the union for 2024/25.

In addition, the seamer, Nipho Mpungose, has also been included in the class of 2024.

The men will undergo a three-month program from May to July and the guidance of the SA U19 and Men’s Emerging Academy Coach Malibongwe Maketa.

Meanwhile, Miané Smit, who was in matric last year, has been included in the women’s program that will be run by the SA U19 and Women’s Emerging Academy Coach Dinesha Devnarain.

Miané Smit - ICC

Several Proteas Women’s players will be in camp along with Smit and they included the former Free State players, Anneke Bosch and Annerie Dercksen.

CSA Emerging Academy - Men

Jade de Klerk (Border), Dian Forrester (Free State), Valentine Kitime (Western Province), Duan Jansen (North West), Tristan Luus (Dolphins), Dewan Marais (Easterns), Litheko Modiri (Titans), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Nipho Mpungose (Free State), Nqaba Peter (Lions), Caleb Seleka (North West), Andile Simelane (Dolphins) and Ntando Zuma (KZN Inland).

CSA Emerging Academy - Women

Anneke Bosch (Titans), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (Western Province), Gandhi Jafta (Titans), Leah Jones (Western Province), Tebogo Macheke (Titans), Oluhle Siyo (Boland), Asakhe Nyovane (Garden Route Badgers), Nondumiso Shangase (Dolphins), Kayla Reynecke (Western Province), Miané Smit (Free State), Saarah Smith (Western Province), Nkululeko Thabathe (Lions), Delmi Tucker (Western Province) and Faye Tunnicliffe (Western Province).

Morgan Piek OFM Sport