HAASBROEK TO LEAD HEAT IN T20 KNOCKOUT

Under new skipper Ruan Haasbroek, a former captain of the Limpopo Impalas, the Northern Cape Heat are poised to make an impression as the much-awaited Division 2 T20 Knockout event gets underway this weekend.

Heat, the finalists from the previous season, will play Eastern Storm in Kimberley in the first round of fixtures, setting up an intriguing matchup.

The ACDC Express Tuskers will play the defending champion Impalas at Polokwane, while the Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers will play the Mpumalanga Rhinos at Uplands College in White River.

Haasbroek, who won the competition last year with Impalas, now takes on the task of leading Heat to victory, bringing with him priceless experience and a new viewpoint.

It's a tremendous honor. It's exciting because the Heat have a winning culture and a history of taking home large trophies. It is an honor to be the team leader in such a unique union. "I'm excited about the challenge," Haasbroek remarked.

"My ability to find ways to win games is definitely something I've carried over from the previous season." I want to instill in this team the ability to do all it takes to overcome obstacles because we had a lot of close games.

"With the characters we have, I'm confident we can pull it off. This team has a ton of experienced folks, which will make my job much easier. It focuses more on player management and player learning.

I'm particularly excited to play with seasoned players like Jonathan Vandiar, Hardus Viljoen, and Ernest Kemm. It's great to learn from them since they've all given our team so much.

The event is made even more intriguing by Haasbroek's travel from Limpopo to the Northern Cape, where he hopes to win another championship for a different team.

"Playing against my former team will be incredibly exciting." There, I've formed wonderful friendships and relationships, so if we can defeat them, we'll have some bragging rights. We will benefit from my familiarity with their strengths and weaknesses, but I anticipate a difficult match.

The 27-year-old is optimistic about his team's readiness for the competition after the Heat team has been putting in a lot of practice.

The way we've prepared has been excellent. We have benefited much from Coach Deon Carolus' leadership, both on and off the field. The ground crew has done a fantastic job maintaining the facilities, and the team is excited and mentally ready to begin.

We've played some excellent warm-up games that have helped us assess our strengths and areas for improvement. Let the bat and ball speak for itself now," Haasbroek said.

T20 Knockout Squads for 2024–2025:

Liam Peters, Sizwe Masondo, Heinrigh Pieterse, Ludwig Kaestner, Morne Venter, Dilivio Ridgard, Daniel van der Merwe, Eldred Hawken, Don Radebe, Jesse-James Albanie, Kgaudise Molefe, Atwell Mokgoloboto, Johan Mahne are the Limpopo Impalas. The captain is Louren Steenkamp.

CP Klijnhans, Emanuel Motswiri, Romano Terblanche, Hardus Viljoen, Tshepo Ntuli, Basheer Walters, Benjamin Van Rensburg, Zakhele Qwabe, Gift Tshaka, Cole Abrahams, and Ruan Haasbroek (captain) are the Northern Cape Heat players.

The following players represent the Mpumalanga Rhinos: Gareth Dukes, Jon Hinrichsen, Musa Twala, Karabo Mogotsi, Lindokuhle Pawuli, Shane Dadswell, Zakir Kathrada, Akhulile Mkatu, Themba Maupa, Jurie Snyman, Yassar Cook, Benjamin van Niekerk, Hermann Rolfes, Nonelela Yikha.

Thobile Hlatuka, Jerome Bossr, Matthew Fourie, Nathan Roux, Sinovuyo Ntuntwana, Christopher Gleaves, Thozama Totana, Marco Marais, Russell Peterson, Mncedisi Malika, Jade de Klerk, Aphiwe Mnyanda, Jaques van der Merwe, Chad Classen, Ayabonga Tongo, Tladi Bokako, and Olwakhe Goqoza are the Eastern Cape Iinyathi.

Yaseen Valli, captain; Kyle Jacobs; Tyrece Karelse; George van Heerden; Keenan Vieira (w/keeper); Kelly Smuts; Thomas Kaber; Liyabona Malife; Jarred Jardine; Heath Richards; Pheko Moletsane; Lifa Ntanzi; Hlompo Modimikoane are the Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers.

Michael Erlank (Captain), Kagiso Rapulana, Cameron Shekleton, Sean Whitehead, and Sean Gilson are the ACDC Express Tuskers. Mbulelelo Budaza, Mondli Khumalo, Daelen Fynn, Kyle Nipper, James Ritchie, Thabiso Ndela, Mbulelelo Zuma, Ziyaad Abrahams, and Chad Laycock.

Eastern Storm: Martin Khumalo, Aaman Khan, Mark Pearse, Leander Lubbe, Aron Visser, Shaveer Khan, Kyle Landsberg, Nhlanhla Mashego, Mekyle Pillay, Dewan Marais, Divan Posthumus, Andrew Rasemene, Shaylen Pillay, Tumelo Simelane, and Captain Grant Thomas.