Proteas called Duan Jansen and Ethan Bosch to the squad for Namibia tour

Two players without international experience, Duan Jansen and Ethan Bosch, have been included in the fifteen-man Proteas squad for a baseball tour in Namibia at the end of this month.

Duan Jansen, twin brother of Proteas all-rounder Marco, received his first international call-up after an impressive domestic performance. At 26 years old, he has consistently performed in both formats of baseball and was named Player of the Year of the One-Day Cup season 2025/26. He helped the Titans team win the title in a 50-over match, scoring an unbeaten 61 runs in the final against DP World Lions.

He continued to show similar form during a short stint in the English County Championship, where he performed particularly well for Gloucester in the T20 Blast.

International Cricket

The team captain, Lions spinner Bjorn Fortuin, will lead the Proteas squad, which will face Namibia and Zimbabwe in a T20 International (T20I) three-series from August 28 to September 6 at the Namibian cricket ground in Windhoek. The team will then stay in the capital for a three-match ODI series against the host nation from September 9 to 13, which will be the first 50-over series in history between the two countries.

Bosch was previously called up for a tour to New Zealand earlier this year but had to decline due to a hamstring injury. After recovering, he played for Middlesex CC in the English County Championship and the T20 Blast.

The squad also includes batters Connor Esterhuizen (Lions) and Jordan Herman (Dafabet Warriors), as well as seamer Nqobani Mokoena from Dolphins, who received their first ODI call-ups following impressive performances in T20Is in New Zealand. Esterhuizen earned two Player of the Match awards in New Zealand before winning the Player of the Series award for his batting performances.

Head coach Shukri Conrad stated that they selected one squad for both series because they believe all departments are well represented, providing a great opportunity for players to build their international experience. He noted that they saw glimpses of potential in Connor and Nqobani during the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year. He added that it is a shame Jordan sustained an injury in the first match of this series, so they look forward to seeing him at this level again.

Conrad emphasized that this tour opens doors for players who have performed domestically, naming Duan as one such player. He described him as a quality all-rounder who also demonstrated excellent character for Titans. Furthermore, he noted that Bjorn is an experienced and proven leader, having successfully captained Lions, and they have full confidence in his ability to lead this group.

Conrad also added that it is always interesting to play against neighboring countries, and the first ODI series between South Africa and Namibia adds extra significance, especially ahead of next year's World Cup. The squad is strengthened by the inclusion of players on national contracts: Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, and Kwena Maphaka.

Proteas Squad for Namibia Tour

The squad includes Bjorn Fortuin (captain), Ethan Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Herman, Rubin Herman, Duan Jansen, Kwena Maphaka, Nqobani Mokoena, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Jason Smith, and Prenelan Subraen.

Similar stories

August 4, 16:32

National netball championship gives young players a chance to compete for a spot in the Proteas squad

After the women's Proteas team finished fifth at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow following their victory over Uganda, attention in South African netball shifted to the championship that has long shaped the national team's roster. This tournament provides future players with an opportunity to showcase themselves.

A few days after the Spar Proteas campaign at the Commonwealth Games, where they defeated Uganda 62-54 to secure fifth place in Glasgow, the attention of the South African sports community turned to the competitions that traditionally served as the foundation for building the national team.

Championship Details

The Spar National Netball Championships will begin in Cape Town on Wednesday. This country's largest inter-regional tournament once again serves as the most obvious pathway from regional netball to the international arena. The tournament will take place at Stellenberg High School and Gene Louw Primary School from August 6 to 11 and will gather 122 teams, including 58 senior regional teams and 64 under-21 teams, along with nearly 1900 players and 100 referees.

Although titles are at stake for both the senior and junior categories, the reputation of this competition extends far beyond winning trophies. For many years, it has been the main platform for talent identification in South Africa, as many current and former Spar Proteas players first gained attention at these annual championships before making it to the national team.

Prospects and Competition

Ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Sydney, strong performances in Cape Town could contribute to several athletes being included in national team discussions, as selectors begin assessing the new generation of talent. The defending champions from Johannesburg remain favorites, having won the senior category title for the fourth consecutive year in a dramatic fashion last year. They beat Cape Town 52-51 in a thrilling final, despite losing to the hosts during the group stage, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of the tournament.

Johannesburg will also defend its title in the under-21 category, while Cape Town will aim to leverage home-court advantage after a narrow loss last year.

Tournament's Significance for Sport Development

South African President Mami Dial says that the championships remain one of the cornerstones of the sport's continued growth. Dial noted: 'For many years, the Spar National Netball Championships have been a valuable platform for university clubs and coaches to discover untapped talent in the country.' She added: 'The continuous growth of the tournament demonstrates the talent and aspiration of thousands of young girls to participate in this sport.'

The event coincides with Women's Month, with International Women's Day on August 9th providing an opportunity to acknowledge the growing importance of women's sports while supporting campaigns against gender-based violence and menstrual poverty, thanks to South Africa's partnership with title sponsor Spar.

It is expected that information regarding whether World Cup squad members will return to represent their regions will be confirmed closer to the start of the tournament. Regardless of who takes the court, the championships remain the heart of South African netball—an arena where established stars can prove their abilities, and the next generation of Proteas can begin writing its own history.