The DP World Lions won’t settle for their three professional trophies in the 24/25 season. Continuously striving to beat boundaries, rewrite the record books and maintain their status as the country’s leading domestic cricket teams and stadium, the Sports Organisation of the Year for two consecutive years, #ThePrideOfJozi has come out hungrier than ever, bolstering both their men and women professional squads ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The DP World Lions Men’s team, who claimed the T20 Challenge for the second year in a row as well as a share of the 4-Day Series title which they also won the previous season, have their sights set on the clean sweep with the addition of Beyers Swanepoel and Siya Plaatjie to their already fantastic squad filled with exceptional depth of exciting talent.
Proof of the productively powerful pipeline can be seen through the onboarding of former Lions High Performance players and now fully-contracted Pride members, Richard Seletswane (former SAU19 World Cup player) and Tiaan Brits.
Three players have departed the Pride: Leg-spinner Junaid Dawood, fast bowler Tshepo Moreki, batsman Muhammad Manack, as well as High-Performance player Zack Momberg.
The calibre of player that is produced and protected by #ThePrideOfJozi is evident in the seven nationally-contracted players who have steadfastly elected to remain with the DP World Lions, namely batsmen Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton; fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Kwena Maphaka; and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
The DP World Lions Ladies look as impressive and simply will not settle for their 50-Over trophy. They are hungry to hunt down the T20 crown too, as all their stalwarts, save for the retired Kirstie Thomson, return in a 17-woman squad. Their seven high-performance players, are again evidence of a fully functional, well-developed pipeline. Not many teams can boast five supreme Proteas and an international star on their books.
Protea stars Ayabonga Khaka and Tumi Sekhukhune are two quality pace bowlers and will be backed by global superstar Shabnim Ismail; with Sinalo Jafta and Chloe Tryon bringing all-round top-quality skills to the Pride. Tazmin Brits will once again set the tone up front with her explosiveness and experience with the bat.
Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright says that both Pride’s will pack a powerful punch both on and off the field through their commitment to excellence not only for themselves, but their fans and all that follow in their footsteps;
“We have two extremely solid squads for the season ahead which I am very excited about. Having spoken to every player myself, rest assured when I tell you that every individual cannot wait to stride to the wicket and show South Africa what they are made of. All of this is pushed from the bottom up – our Hubs; Telkom Talent Acceleration Programme and Telkom Lions Academy; and multiple Club competitions inclusive of over 25 leagues, quality schools and universities. This Pride is relentless in pursuit of perfection: It’s more bursaries, more opportunities and the nurturing of talent from toe to top. It’s strong financials, super supportive sponsors, great Board of Directors, administrators, officials and volunteers who go above and beyond for their love of the game.”
Leading the Charge on the Management front of the DP World Lions Men’s squad are the likes of Russell Domingo, Hashim Amla, Allan Donald, Jimmy Kgamadi, Prasanna Agoram, Nandile Tyali, Ziyaad Mahomed, Dr Dhavina Naidoo, Lloyd Bemelman. Garnett Kruger and Amit Bhoola.
Adding to the hard-hitting Pride is the onboarding of arguably one of the greatest ever fielders, Jonty Rhodes as High-Performance Fielding Consultant for the Pipeline as well as the men and women professional teams.
Equally impressive, determined and driven is the Ladies Management team of Trisha Chetty, Sandile Masengemi, Noluthando Mlahleki, Julia de Kock, Dr Dhavina Naidoo, Siyanda Zulu, Garnett Kruger and Lloyd Bemelman. The former DP World Lions Head Coach, Shaun Pretorious will shift his attention to driving high performance and talent scouting in this exciting women’s space.
With the 25/26 season just a few months away, players, management and all those that walk with the Pride are hard at work, honing their skills, setting their goals and finetuning for brilliance – striving for excellence from Take off to Touch down. A rejuvenated, refocused and steadfast Lions Cricket Pride is ready to proudly serve – every delivery, every day.
DP World Lions Men’s Squad:
Dominic Hendricks; Bjorn Fortuin; Joshua Richards; Lutho Sipamla; Mitchell Van Buuren; Codi Yusuf;
Evan Jones; Delano Potgieter; Connor Esterhuizen; Zubayr Hamza; Beyers Swanepoel; Nqaba Peter;
Richard Seletswane; Wandile Makwetu; Siya Plaatjie; Tiaan Brits; Wiaan Mulder; Kwena Maphaka; Ryan Rickelton; Temba Bavuma; Reeza Hendricks; Kagiso Rabada; Rassie Van Der Dussen.
High Performance players: Khaya Fakude; Rafeeq Patel; Esosa Aihevba.
DP World Lions Women’s Squad:
Ayabonga Khaka; Tumi Sekhukhune; Sinalo Jafta; Tazmin Brits; Chloe Tryon; Shabnim Ismail; Kgomotso Rapoo; Madison Landsman; Jenna Evans; Karabo Meso; Lehlohonolo Meso; Refilwe Moncho; Sarah Nettleton; Raisibe Ntozakhe; Relebohile Mkhize; Nonkululeko Thabethe; Sunette Viljoen-Louw.
High Performance players: Neo Molefe; Lethabo Bidli; Thuto Thibedi; Fay Cowling; Liyema Jubati; Razeena Manack; Diara Ramlakan.
