Johannesburg – 16 July 2025:
Lions Cricket have Powered-Up, steadfast on capturing more titles and trophies; producing more Protea’s and empowering the Lionesses like never before. Ready to be unleashed to roam the Pridelands, the passionate management team are a force to be reckoned with this season.
Moving into the role of High Performance Talent Scout, is former DP World Lions Ladies Head Coach Shaun Pretorius who led the Lionesses to the titles of CSA Division 1 T20 Champions in 2022/23 season as well as 2024/25 Hollywoodbets Pro50 Champions. In addition, the DP World Lions Ladies were Runners Up in both the 50 Over and T20 Domestic Competitions in the 2023/24 season under his leadership.
Pretorius joined the Pride in 2019 as the u19 Women’s Head Coach and says that it’s been a tremendous privilege and honour to serve not only the players but the broader communities;
“I am thrilled about the new role that I will undertake at Lions Cricket. I will now be part of identifying and growing new talent within Gauteng – something that has always been very close to my heart. I began my cricketing journey many years ago as a HUB coach and I understand the commitment, effort and passion needed in order to assist in talent identification. I am also looking forward to serving the professional team in a different role, behind the scenes with logistical operations and any support whatsoever. I am extremely grateful for Lions leadership steered by Jono Leaf-Wright to support me in this new venture and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and fully immerse myself! I am particularly looking forward to the coaching clinics that we have planned – I love to empower others.” Stepping into Shaun’s shoes will be the previous Assistant Coach of the DP World Lions Ladies, Sandile Masengemi. The 41 year old first fell in love with coaching in 2005 when he was a player coach for the club Stratford Bard. Part of the Pride for 10 years he was Head Coach of the Gauteng U19 Khaya Majola National Week team for three years, claiming the title trophy every year. Adding further firepower to his arsenal was his Head Coach position at the Gauteng Strikers, where he worked with many of our country’s top names today such as Ryan Rickelton. He has enjoyed multiple CSA Division wins and Runner Up finishes; as well as being the Assistant Coach/Manager for Jozi Stars, Interim Assistant Coach for Lions, and the Central Gauteng Lions Senior Team Head Coach for three years winning the Africa T20 competition.
But Masengemi, who played for Gauteng Lions from 2001 – 2003, says it’s the thrill of helping others that wakes him each morning;
“I love to make a difference in players lives, helping them grow their game and become even better human beings – all with smiles on our faces. I look forward to working with the team most especially the youngsters that step up from the emerging teams – I want to help them settle, find their feet and encourage them to know the huge impact they can make in our quest for season success. We have huge aspirations this season, keen to upskill ourselves mentally, physically and skillfully.”
Another exciting appointment is 37 year old Trisha Chetty. Climbing up the coaching ladder, Chetty steps up as Assistant Coach from last seasons role as wicketkeeper coach. With 120 limited-overs appearances for South Africa between 2007 – 2022, the experienced, determined, likeable Chetty joined the Pride in November 2023 and has played a huge role in helping a vast number of players hone their skills and perfect their craft.
Packing more power into the DP World Lions team is the ever-young and always energetic Jonty Rhodes as High-Performance Fielding Consultant. Driven by the desire to add value and make a genuine difference, Rhodes undoubtedly holds high expectations for the Prides players and personnel.
Steering the ship on the bowling end of the high performance space, it’s the highly experienced and familiar taskmaster duo of Garnet Kruger and Nono Pongolo.
Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright believes that every management position is occupied by the business’s best;
“Whether it’s our team doctor, Head Coach, Team Manager, Physio or Psychologist, we have hunted down the industry leaders and are nothing short of thrilled with the Prides pack. Each member is passionate; loves to win; is determined and lives and breathes Lions Cricket and all that we strive to be. I cannot wait to see the season unfold and wish everyone well – Go ROAR with Pride!”
The Head Coach will take tremendous comfort in knowing that the majority of the Ladies Team Management remains unchanged from last season – continuity is key.
The 2025/26 DP World Lions Ladies Team Management is:
Sandile Masengemi – Head Coach
Trisha Chetty – Assistant Head Coach
Noluthando Mlahleki – Team Manager
Shaun Pretorius – Teams logistics and High Performance Talent Scout
Julia de Kock – Physio
Taren Naidoo – Strength & Conditioning
Dr Dhavina Naidoo-Jewkes – Team Doctor
Siyanda Zulu – Analyst
Lloyd Bemelman – Sports Psychologist
Jonty Rhodes – High-Performance Fielding Consultant
With the 2025/26 season fast approaching, the DP World Lions Ladies Pride stands focused, empowered, and energized — a united and formidable pack ready to pounce on any challenge that dares cross their path.
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; Leani Swanepoel, Keamogetswe Chuene.