ONE of the six new signings for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins for the upcoming season is young Andile Mogakane who has been upgraded from a semi-professional deal to a rookie franchise contract for the new campaign.

Mogakane has much in common with another new signing with the Dolphins Lifa Ntanzi, as he also came through the successful KZNCU, DSR & Sunfoil Township & Rural Development Programme where he was scouted to take up a place at Northwood Boys High School in Grade Nine.

“I am forever grateful to the coaches who guided me through my younger years in Lindelani,” the 20 year-old Mogakane said.

“When I was in Grade Seven I was picked for the national development tournament in Johannesburg and played well.

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“I was offered a place at Northwood in Grade 9 and had to adapt quickly because it was very unfamiliar to me coming into an English speaking school. My first year was tough and I stayed back and repeated Grade 9 where I was selected for the KZN Coastal Khaya Majola Week team. I only expected to be picked for the Under 17 side.”

The career of the young all-rounder took off from there and he was selected for the South Africa U19 side in Grade 11 where the team faced the West Indies in a home series.

He then missed the SA U19 tour to England the following year but performed well on the Under 19 tour to India the following year.

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“I think it was a good wake up call for me not being selected to go to England. I was obviously disappointed but it made me realise that I needed to work really hard on my game. Since then I have been working as hard as possible to make myself better because I know that I can make it.”

A semi-professional deal with KZN Cricket was next on the cards of Mogakane and then at the end of this season, after he made his Hollywoodbets Dolphins debut, a rookie deal with the franchise was on the table.

“I was so excited when I got the offer,” he exclaimed. “My family was so proud that I was given the contract but I know there is so much work to do now. It was a dream come true for me and I am really excited to join a squad of players that are so supportive and encouraging.”

Mogakane is looking forward to being a part of the Dolphins set-up and wants to learn as much as he can from the players.

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