Share

Toyana pleased with Lions new signings

Cape Town - Highveld Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana is looking forward to getting their Sunfoil Series campaign underway against the Warriors at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg from Tuesday.

The match marks the start of the 2017/18 franchise season with round one of the season unique from previous years after all the Standard Bank Proteas Test players were made available to play.

The hosts will also be bolstered by some significant new signings, all of whom are available to play.

“My squad is looking good,” Toyana said. “We’ve made some good signings in Omphile Ramela, Craig Alexander and Beuran Hendricks.

“So we can’t wait to see how they get on. I'm pleased that we starting at the Wanderers as well, a ground we know very well.”

There will also be the opportunity for Lions fans to see Kagiso Rabada play red-ball cricket for Toyana.

“It’s going to be tough in terms of team selection,” the coach explained. “I got around 25 players to choose from and everyone is fit and all of them are keen to play.

“So it’s a good headache to have going into that first game. We have our Proteas as well and someone like Kagiso Rabada is going to be great to watch.

“It’s just the third time he’ll be playing for us in two-and-half years, so that’s something to look out for as well.”

Toyana says his players cannot wait to begin, adding: “We’ve trained well over the last week or so. “We were involved in the eKasi as well, so we got a small taste and we now want to get stuck in. It’s been a long off-season, but the boys have all got stronger and we’re all very excited to get going.”

Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa echoed those sentiments. “We’re excited, we’re ready to go and everyone is looking forward to the new season,” he said.

The men from the Eastern Cape have a new four-day captain in Proteas T20 batsman, Jon-Jon Smuts.

“For us there’s no Proteas and neither are our Kolpak players (Colin Ackermann, Colin Ingram and Simon Harmer) available,” Maketa added.

“So, it’s a great opportunity for our young players to test themselves against the best players in the country. We’re really excited to see where they are in terms of their progress and development.”

Lions squad: 

Stephen Cook (capt), Reeza Hendricks, Omphile Ramela, Rassie van der Dussen, Nicky van den Bergh, Dwaine Pretorius, Mangaliso Mosehle, Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Craig Alexander, Ayavuya Myoli, Dominic Hendricks, Wiaan Mulder

Warriors squad: 

Andrew Birch, Gihahn Cloete, Clyde Fortuin, Ayabulela Gqamane, Sisanda Magala, Eddie Moore, Lesiba Ngoepe, Anrich Nortje, Jerry Nqolo, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts (capt), Yaseen Vallie, David White.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE