Five cricketers find new teams
It has been an off-season of mixed fortunes for the Border senior provincial cricket team, as they will head into the new season without a number of senior and up-and-coming players, who have opted to sign for other provinces ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
The biggest loss for Border sees captain Gionne Koopman on his way out after signing for Northerns.
The 26-year-old Koopman has been a Border stalwart, playing in the age group teams during his time at Hudson Park High School and then progressing into the senior side.
He played 70 first-class games, 43 one days and 28 T20 matches for Border over his career.
In that time the allrounder scored 14 half centuries and five centuries, while taking 65 wickets in first-class cricket, eight 50s and one hundred, along with 27 wickets in list A and one half century with 13 wickets in T20s.
“It is very disappointing to lose Koopy, but I also understand his reasons. The possibility of playing Franchise cricket up there was too big a drawcard,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes. “He leaves a big hole in terms of his leadership, and also having a top order batsman who also bowls was a big plus for us, and is something we are going to have to fill.”
Further losses saw senior players Avumile Mnci and Sinovuyo Ntuntwana both sign with Northern Cape, and upand-coming youngsters Kabelo Sekhukune and Yamkelo Oliphant sign with Easterns and South Western Districts respectively.
“I knew it was going to happen when the contracts were increased to 11 players around the country,” said Plaatjes.
“It was always going to be a massive challenge to hang on to our players, as top-class black African players are highly sought after, and we have been producing players of the highest quality here.
“They were not the only players who were approached. Most of the squad that we have here for the coming season were given offers, and it is great that we managed to keep hold of them.”
However, it was not all doom and gloom for Border, as they named a strong 11-man squad that has signed on for the coming season.
Exciting youngsters such as Jason Niemand and Malwande Zamo have also been given contracts.
Border squad for the 2018-19 season: Jerry Nqolo, Phaphama Fojela, Clayton Bosch, Marco Marais, Jason Niemand, Mkhululi Calana, Somila Seyibokwe, Bamanye Xenxe, Bongolwethu Makaleni, Malwande Zamo, Mncidisi Malika.