Latest news with #Tri-NationsSeries
IOL News
25-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lungi Ngidi highlights importance of Tri-Nations Series in Proteas' 2026 T20 World Cup journey
Proteas quick Lungi Ngidi is enjoying the energy the youngsters has brought into the camp during the T20 Tri-Nations series in Zimbabwe. Image: David Gray / AFP Proteas fast bowler Lungi Ngidi emphasised that the team is using the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe as a stepping-stone to next year's ICC T20 World Cup. The Proteas are preparing for the final of the Tri-Nations series against New Zealand in Harare on Saturday. South Africa have won two out of the four fixtures that they have played in Zimbabwe, beating the hosts twice and losing their other two matches against the Black Caps. Despite the side missing key players such as T20I captain Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton, Ngidi highlighted that the team is using the ongoing Tri-Nations Series as preparation for next year's ICC T20 World Cup in India. The 29-year-old emphasised that South Africa need to fix their errors to beat New Zealand at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday (1pm start). Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading "We're working towards the T20 World Cup, but one thing that was made clear by the coach is that we take it one series at a time. That's the bigger picture, but there's always a process leading up to that, and that's what we're currently on the verge of," Ngidi told the media on Friday. "(We want to) take it one game at a time and you fix the errors along the way before the big show. But the most important thing that the coach has told us not to look too far ahead and face the challenges that are currently in front of us. "Tomorrow is another one of those challenges, to be able to come out on top against probably a full-strength New Zealand team. We've got a couple of youngsters here. (Winning the series) would be a massive positive for us going forward." Ngidi is the senior player in the current squad and the 29-year-old told the media that he is currently enjoying the energy the youth players have brought into the T20I team. The fast bowler is currently in good form, having put in an impressive performance in last month's World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's. "It's a lot of fun playing with a young group of guys. The energy is really high, and they really want to do well on the back of what we've just recently achieved (in the WTC Final). Everyone's got that feeling that they also would like to achieve something great," said Ngidi. "Their debuts and the opportunities that they get, they're really looking to make their own name. So it has been exciting in that sense. Myself, personally, I think it's just about continuing from where I left off. I think I'm in a good space right now and I'm trying to just keep improving on my numbers in T20 cricket. "It's always an honour and a pleasure to play for South Africa. So, never take that lightly. But I think the most important thing is just to keep perfecting my game and obviously putting your hand up for when those ICC tournaments come around."
TimesLIVE
17-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Proteas coaches will back aggressive style, even if it leads to defeat
From experimental line-ups to switching the batting order and playing more aggressively, the Proteas are showing they are willing to accept losses while building towards next year's T20 World Cup. So mistakes will be made, as was the case on a few occasions in Wednesday's 21-run loss to New Zealand in Harare in their second Tri-Series match. But batting coach Ashwell Prince said he and head coach Shukri Conrad want to ensure players' natural styles come to the fore. 'It's about people going out there, playing on the front foot — by that we mean if being aggressive is your style, then play that way, that is what we try to encourage,' said Prince. Similar thinking has driven the success of the Test side in the past 18 months. Another entertaining innings from Dewald Brevis for the @ProteasMenCSA 🤩🇿🇦 #SAvZIM | #SSCricket — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 15, 2025 Prince cited the impact of Dewald Brevis, who in his past two innings scored 76 runs at a strike rate of 217.14. While there was a query about whether it was important for Brevis to make 50 and see out the game, Prince said it was more important to affect the outcome than be worried about personal milestones. 'It's not about getting to 50. It's about playing an innings that can make an impact to win the game. Brevis did that in the first game and he was perhaps on track to do that [on Wednesday], but sometimes it goes for you and others it doesn't.' Brevis made 35 off 18 balls, hitting three sixes, and while he was at the crease South Africa had a chance of beating the Black Caps. Having struck two sixes in the 12th over bowled by Matt Henry, in chasing a third the precocious right-hander was caught off the last ball of the over on the long-on boundary. Rather than chastise for that error, Prince and Conrad are more likely to encourage such endeavour. The Proteas have lost the services of Heinrich Klaasen in the middle order but Brevis' two innings in the triangular series in Zimbabwe, with the form he showed in the SA20, domestically for the Northerns Titans and in a brief stint with the Chennai Super Kings, indicated a readiness to step into Klaasen's position. What he needs is support and he, with other young tyros including Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka, must be given time on the international stage. 🇿🇦 Dewald Brevis is hitting his stride and looking sharp ahead of today's clash with New Zealand in the Tri-Nations Series 🏏🔥 #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 16, 2025 'These guys are talented youngsters. You have to be mindful that they are coming onto the biggest stage at 18 and 19 years old. We need to have patience with these guys, we are fully confident in their abilities and trust them to do their thing,' said Prince. The newly appointed Proteas selection convener Patrick Maroney will in all probability support that mindset. Maroney has worked provincially at the Central Gauteng Lions — serving on the board at the union at one stage — and been a national U-19 selector, where he worked with Conrad and has more than 20 years' experience. Maroney will appoint an independent selector, who with Conrad will be responsible for choosing Proteas squads. Maroney will report to the director of national teams, Enoch Nkwe. 'His deep understanding of the game, combined with decades of experience in talent identification and selection at various levels, makes him the ideal person for the job,' said Nkwe.
Eyewitness News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Banyana Banyana gear up for Tri-Nations Series match against Zambia
JOHANNESBURG – Banyana Banyana to face Zambia on Tuesday for their final Tri-Nations Series, following a 3-2 win against Botswana. Kick-off for the match is set for 15:00 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. The Tri-Nations Series is in preparation for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with Banyana Banyana getting off to a good start less than two months before the tournament scheduled for July 5-26. Desiree Ellis' team played to a five-goal thriller against Botswana, winning 3-2 last Wednesday, 28 May, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. 'The Zambian team brings something different (compared to Botswana), their front three are really quick. Our defensive organisation has to be really good, and when we win the ball, we have to make sure that we hurt them. That's going to be really important,' said Ellis. The Copper Queens were held to a 1-1 draw by Botswana on Saturday and are looking to sharpen their tactical edge ahead of WAFCON. The tournament in Morocco was supposed to have been played last year, but was postponed to this year as it was clashing with the Olympic Games in Paris. Banyana have been fixtured in Group C against Ghana, Mali and Tanzania.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ellis demands more despite Banyana's winning start in Tri-Nations series
Gabriela Salgado Banyana's Gabriela Salgado clears the ball away from Botswana's Senwelo Leungo in Atteridgeville on Wednesday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Desiree Ellis welcomed a winning start to Banyana Banyana's Tri-Nations Series campaign but admitted her side made things difficult for themselves in a nervy 3–2 victory over Botswana at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday. South Africa will now shift their focus to Zambia, whom they face at the same venue (kick-off 3pm) on Tuesday in their second clash of the tournament. The Tri-Series serves as preparation for the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this July. Banyana made a blistering start, storming to a 3–0 lead inside the opening 36 minutes. Jermaine Seopesenwe, who plays her club football for Monterrey in Mexico, bagged a brace to complement Adriette Mibe's early opener. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Given the short preparation period, Ellis and her technical staff would have been encouraged by the flying start, especially considering their recent mixed record against Botswana. Despite holding a higher ranking, South Africa have not always found it easy against their southern neighbours. In the last four encounters, the two nations have traded friendly victories. Botswana notably edged South Africa in the 2019 CAF Women's Olympic Qualifiers, winning 3–2 on penalties after a goalless two-legged tie. With a comfortable 3–0 advantage and just minutes left before half-time, Banyana eased off the throttle — allowing Botswana a route back into the game. The visitors accepted the invitation, nearly pulling off a dramatic turnaround. Reflecting on the match, Ellis pinpointed moments where her side gave away the early advantage and hopes for a better showing in their upcoming match against Zambia. 'With the first goal, we knew they were going to play the ball long, and we didn't react to that. The second goal that we gave away — we had said we needed to be patient on the ball, and yet we played it into traffic when we could have played wide. So there was a little lapse in concentration.' Ellis expressed concern over the second-half display, particularly the manner in which the goals were conceded — especially as they were situations the team had anticipated. 'The tempo went down a bit. In the first half, it was very high and we moved the ball around, but in the second half we didn't move ourselves or the ball — and that played in their favour,' Ellis continued. Seoposenwe gets her brace in the 35th minute — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) May 28, 2025
