Northwood School learner chosen for SA U19 squad

ANDILE Mokgakane of Northwood School has been selected for the South African U19 side that was announced to take on current Under-19 World Champion West Indies in July. The team, will take on the Caribbean side in a five-match Youth One-Day International series from 9-19 July in Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

Mokgakane, who is from Lindelani, was earmarked from the age of 10 years-old as a player to watch and was introduced to the Township Cricket Programme. He was then elevated to the Elite Township Squad and was then offered a spot at Northwood through the Sunfoil Bursary Fund.

Also Read: Raising prostate and testicualr cancer awareness through cricket

Director of cricket at Northwood, Andrew Shedlock, was full of praise for Mokgakane following his hard work and dedication to cricket since his arrival at the Durban-north school.

“It is great to see a player like Andile go onto higher honours,” Shedlock mentioned. “He is one of the success stories of the Township Development initiative after he was scouted and brought to Northwood three years ago. We always knew that he had the talent. We just wanted to provide an environment where he could grow as a player and as a scholar – it is such a great story to see him achieve what he has.”

The top-order batsman and seamer has also been playing club cricket at Hollywoodbets Crusaders and was one of the stand-out players for the Castle Premier League champions at the recent Momentum Club Championships in Pretoria.

Also Read: Interesting facts about Kingsmead and Dolphins

“Crusaders have been really good to him, helping financially as well as offering him a place to play club cricket. Andile was one of the better players in their side at Club Champs and it can only be good for his cricket to be learning from some experienced players,” Shedlock added.

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with local news or send us your name on WhatsApp: at 060 532 5532.