Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the 2026 intake for the CSA Men’s and Women’s Emerging Academy, selecting a group that combines SA Under-19 graduates, standout provincial performers, and some of the country’s most promising young talent.
The Men’s Academy includes Hollywoodbets Dolphins seamer Nqobani Mokoena, who recently made his T20 International debut against New Zealand. He is joined by fellow Proteas-capped spinner Nqaba Peter of the DP World Lions and Dolphins all-rounder Andile Simelane.
On the women’s side, recently capped Proteas Women all-rounders Miané Smit from the Fidelity Titans and Leah Jones of World Sports Betting Western Province headline the intake, along with Dolphins leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu.
Malibongwe Maketa will once again lead the Men’s Academy, supported by High Performance specialists Paul Adams, who oversees bowling, and Imraan Khan, responsible for batting. Members of the Proteas Men’s coaching staff will also contribute their expertise during the programme, which takes place at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria.
For the women’s programme, former Proteas Women batting coach Baakier Abrahams will take interim charge of the group. This allows Academy head coach Dinesha Devnarain to concentrate on preparations for the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in January 2027.
The Emerging Academy remains a crucial pathway in South African cricket, helping talented players transition from provincial level to the demands of international cricket. The programme has previously played a role in developing several current Proteas players, including Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Kayla Reyneke.
Head of High Performance Grant van Velden expressed excitement about the group selected for this year’s intake.
“We’ve selected an exciting group of young players, and I’m looking forward to seeing them come in and hit the ground running when the group assembles next month,” said van Velden.
“The Academy will focus on preparing players for upcoming SA Emerging and South Africa A tours, while also testing them physically and mentally. The idea is to push them beyond their comfort zones so they can continue to grow both on and off the field.
“Our goal is for every player to leave the Academy not only as a better cricketer, but as a more complete professional athlete.”
CSA Men’s Emerging Academy 2026
Esosa Aihevba (DP World Lions), Matthew Boast (Dafabet Warriors), Josh Breed (WSB Western Province), Muhammad Bulbulia (Tuskers), Raeeq Daniels (WSB Western Province), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keegan Lion-Catchet (Momentum Multiply Titans), Modiri Litheko (Dafabet Warriors), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Bayanda Majola (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Muhammad Manack (Dafabet Warriors), Nqobani Mokoena (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Gomolemo Phiri (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Siya Plaatjie (DP World Lions), Richard Seletswane (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), George van Heerden (Garden Route Badgers), and Ntando Zuma (Moothee Ram Tuskers).
CSA Women’s Emerging Academy 2026
Jemma Botha (WSB Western Province), Fay Cowling (DP World Lions), Jenna Evans (DP World Lions), Jae-Leigh Filander (WSB Western Province), Leah Jones (WSB Western Province), Yasmeen Khan (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Simone Lourens (Fidelity Titans), Mpumelelo Mashiloane (Eastern Storm), Relebohile Mkhize (DP World Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (North West Dragons), Luyanda Nzuza (Fidelity Titans), Diara Ramlakan (DP World Lions), Oluhle Siyo (WSB Western Province), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans) and Caitlin Wyngaard (WSB Western Province).