Raynard van Tonder to lead SA U19s in Youth ODI series

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday named the 15-man, Coca-Cola South Africa under-19s squad that will take on 2016 ICC U19 World Cup winners, West Indies in a five-match, Youth One-Day International (ODI) series from 09 to 19 July 2017 in Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Raynard van Tonder, who was named as the new team captain, will have nine new caps to lead, including Thando Ntini, son of former Proteas fast bowler, Makhaya. The remaining six boasts players who were part of the team that beat Sri Lanka in an ODI series in January of this year, including experienced campaigner Wandile Makwetu, who is the most capped player in the side, having made his debut at the 2016 World Cup in Bangladesh.

Coach, Lawrence Mahatlane is pleased with the team selected and believes that this series will do well to begin the team’s preparation for the 2018 U19 World Cup in New Zealand.

“Testing ourselves against the world champions is an ideal opportunity for us as a team to see where we are with the 2018 World Cup just around the corner. It is an exciting team with only six players having previously represented South Africa, this is a great opportunity for those selected to showcase their talent.”

CSA High Performance Manager, Vincent Barnes said; “With the ICC U19 World Cup only a few months away, the West Indies series is a very important series for our team. There have been a few changes to the squad that beat Sri Lanka earlier this year and the West Indies, who are the current World Cup champions will provide the required stiff opposition for the home side.”

South Africa will arrive in Durban on 28 June, while West Indies will arrive on the 30th.

Coca-Cola South Africa U19 team:

Raynard van Tonder (Free State), Matthew Breetzke (Eastern Province), Curtis Campher (Gauteng), Jesse Christensen (Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Free State), Jade de Klerk (Eastern Province), Fraser Jones (KZN Inland), Wandile Makwetu (Gauteng), Andile Mokgakane (KZN Coastal), Kgaudise Molefe (Gauteng), Jacob Miltz (Gauteng), Thando Ntini (Western Province), Jiveshan Pillay (Northerns), Herman Rolfes (Northerns), Keenan Smith (Eastern Province).

West Indies U19 tour to South Africa 2017 / 2018
DATE						HOME TEAM	vs	AWAY TEAM	STADIUM	VENUE
July 2017
Tue	04		Day		Warm Up	SA U19 XI		WI U19 XI	Varsity Oval	Durban
Thu	06		Day		Warm Up	KZN Academy		West Indies U19	Varsity Oval	Durban
Sun	09		Day		1st Youth ODI	South Africa U19		West Indies U19	Chatsworth Oval	Durban
Wed	12		Day		2nd Youth ODI	South Africa U19		West Indies U19	Pietermaritzburg Oval	Pietermaritzburg
Fri	14		Day		3rd Youth ODI	South Africa U19		West Indies U19	Pietermaritzburg Oval	Pietermaritzburg
Sun	16		Day		4th Youth ODI	South Africa U19		West Indies U19	Pietermaritzburg Oval	Pietermaritzburg
Wed	19		Day		5th Youth ODI	South Africa U19		West Indies U19	Chatsworth Oval	Durban