SA name squad as Hong Kong Sixes returns after 7 years

Jon-Jon Smuts Hong Kong SixesJon-Jon Smuts.

South Africa have named a seven-player squad for next month’s Hong Kong Sixes.

The tournament has not been played since 2017. South Africa are the reigning champions. They also won the tournament in 2012, 2009, 2006 and 1995. Pakistan and England have also won the Hong Kong Sixes title five times each.

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Proteas and Dolphins all-rounder Jon-Jon Smuts will captain South Africa in Hong Kong this time.

All-rounder Evan Jones, seamer Don Radebe and batsman Modiri Litheko have been selected.

Jones recently won the T20 Challenge title with the Lions. Radebe and Litheko played for Limpopo and Northern Cape, respectively, in the T20 Knockout.

The rest of the squad comprises Titans seamer Matthew Boast – and Knights duo Aubrey Swanepoel and Jacques Snyman. Swanepoel has played for South Africa at the Hong Kong Sixes previously.

South Africa Under-19 coach Malibongwe Maketa will coach South Africa at the Hong Kong Sixes.

“Together, this team combines leadership with talent, positioning them for a competitive edge on the international stage and places them in good stead to defend the title,” read a statement from Cricket South Africa.

Batsman Jonty Rhodes was named Player of the Tournament after South Africa won the tournament for the first time in 1995. South African all-rounder Derek Crookes won the Player of the Tournament award in 1996.

The Dolphins’ Sarel Erwee was among the leading wicket-takers when South Africa won the title in 2017.

SA squad for Hong Kong Sixes

  1. Jon-Jon Smuts (captain)
  2. Modiri Litheko (Northern Cape)
  3. Evan Jones (Lions)
  4. Jacques Snyman (Knights)
  5. Matthew Boast (Titans)
  6. Don Radebe (Limpopo)
  7. Aubrey Swanepoel (Knights)

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