WSB Western Province ready to defend One-Day Cup title

February 2025

NEWLANDS – World Sports Betting Western Province are ready to defend their CSA One-Day Cup title as they set to open the campaign at home against the DP World Lions.

Having worked hard during the summer break, the Boys In Blue will be looking to retain silverware at World Sports Betting Newlands on Saturday.

The game will start at 13h00 and will be live on SuperSport.

Head coach Salieg Nackerdien believes the team is in the right space of mind having played a warm-up game against the Netherlands on Tuesday.

“From the 20th of Jan up till now, we had a nice warm-up game against the Netherlands where we played some nice cricket just to get out there as well and to make sure that we do our basics right,” said Nackerdien.

“We needed to get our mindsets in the right frame of mind and I think overall we need to look at how we’re going to go about our first game against the Lions.

“We’re obviously defending champions, but I don’t think that we need to feel under pressure with that as well.”

The South vs North derby has never been an easy match between the two sides.

Nackerdien knows what is expected of the team.

“We just need to apply ourselves properly as a team,” he said.

“Obviously, our skillsets on the day is to hit that power zones properly from a bowling, batting and fielding perspective.

“I think we want to put our best foot forward, get good momentum in that first game and obviously that will help a lot during the campaign.”

The team will be missing some of their key players, captain Kyle Verreynne, Mihlali Mpongwana and Tony de Zorzi, who are with the national squad.

“Kyle Verreynne, Mihlali Mpongwana and Tony de Zorzi might not be available for the first game, we’ve got this opportunity for other guys to step up and to fill those boots,” added Nackerdien.

“We are really looking forward to facing the Lions on Saturday. We know it’s not going to be an easy game, but obviously, we back ourselves to do well and to make sure that we’re ready.”

WSB WP Squad: Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Kyle Simmonds, Jody Lawrence, George Linde, Wesley Bedja, Daniel Smith, Onke Nyaku, David Bedingham, Yaseen Vallie, Eddie Moore, Dane Paterson, Valentine Kitime, Beuran Hendricks.