Springbok centurions included for challenge against Proteas
Both the Proteas and Springboks announced their teams for the Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup on Friday 5 December 2014 at The Wanderers in Johannesburg.
National captain Jean de Villiers and vice-captain Victor Matfield have both been included in a star-studded Springbok T20 cricket team who will face off against the Proteas at the Wanderers Stadium for the Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup on Friday 5 December 2014.
Matfield scored 23 runs from 23 balls and hit four fours against the Proteas in Cape Town earlier this year. Willem Alberts, who took two wickets in as many balls at Newlands, as well as Willie le Roux, who scored 16 from eight balls including a big six, will join the two Springbok centurions.
Recently retired Tiaan Liebenberg and Duane Vermeulen, one of the Springboks’ wicket-takers at Newlands, will also have another chance to showcase their cricketing skills.
“Everyone had a blast playing against the Proteas last year and we’re looking forward to more of the same this year,” said De Villiers from Cardiff, where the Springboks will play their final Test of 2014 against Wales on Saturday.
“At this stage however, our focus is solely on Wales this weekend. Thereafter we’ll start putting our plans in place for the match at the Wanderers.
“The match is for a good cause and we’re hoping for a sold-out crowd at the Bull Ring, which is a magnificent venue which has seen a number of superb performances in the past.”
Big Flip van der Merwe, who is recovering from injury, has been appointed manager but the Springboks are yet to name their coach and captain for the match, which drew a sold-out crowd in Cape Town last year.
The match celebrates the one year anniversary of Madiba’s death, will be played in his honour and in celebration of his legacy.
* Meanwhile it was announced that Hashim Amla would lead the Proteas against the Springboks in the Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup.
He stands in for regular captain, Faf du Plessis, who has been advised a period of rest by the CSA Medical Team to recover from a hip injury.
AB de Villiers could also not be considered because of the rib injury that he suffered in Australia during the 4th ODI and will instead be the team’s coach while Faf du Plessis will manage the side.
JP Duminy will join the SuperSport on field commentary team as an analyst during the match.
Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso and JP Duminy remain on the injury list while Morne Morkel is not available for personal reasons.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe returns for the Proteas after being out of action due to a long-term injury.
“We have chosen the best available team which we believe will do justice to this very important occasion that goes beyond the game of cricket,” commented CSA selection convenor, Andrew Hudson.
“The selectors have picked a great team with a good mix of talent,” commented Amla. “I’m quite excited to see what ideas AB will bring as coach. He picked up quite a few tips from last year so he will have some innovative tricks up his sleeves when we do our planning. We saw a few chinks in their technique last year and we will no doubt try to exploit that. We know that we can’t take them lightly” said Amla.
“Our fast bowlers are licking their lips at the thought of running out at the Bullring next week. We certainly aren’t here to make friends; we want to win. They have named quite a strong team. Jean and Victor will be the crucial cogs in their line-up. It should be a good battle.”
Proteas squad:
Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Coach: AB de Villiers. Manager: Faf du Plessis.
Springbok squad:
Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield, Damian de Allende, Tiaan Liebenberg, Cornal Hendricks, Willie le Roux, Francois Hougaard, Bismarck du Plessis, Duane Vermeulen, Butch James, Willem Alberts, Handré Pollard, Jan Serfontein. Manager: Flip van der Merwe.
Tickets for the match are available from www.ticketpros.co.za .
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