Johannesburg – 31 October 2025:
Our DP World Lions ladies batters have been on a three-week break from action, but they have been working hard in the nets and coach Sandile Masengemi is confident that they will be on top of their games now for their trip to Oudtshoorn to take on the Garden Route Badgers this weekend.
The opening weekend of fixtures in the Pro Series made it obvious that work was needed on the batting. But some teething problems were always to be expected because our DP World Lions have relied on the likes of Proteas Tazmin Brits and Karabo Meso, and the now-retired Kirstie Thomson, for solid top-order displays.
In the Pro50 match, the batting line-up struggled to get going and battled to 234 all out, seven of the top eight batters scoring between 12 and 42. Our DP World Lions triumphed in the T20 game against the Dolphins, but struggled to their target of 78 with seven wickets down.
Madison Landsman, Neo Molefe, Razeena Manack and Diara Ramlakan are all inexperienced at this level and need to be given time to find their feet because there is no doubting the high hopes #ThePrideOfJozi have for them.
“In the 50-over game, our batters struggled, especially at the top where there were some soft dismissals. We just could not find our rhythm in terms of our intent, and when we did, we picked it up too late. In the T20, we bowled really nicely but the batting was again patchy,” Masengemi said.
“The ladies have been off for the last three weeks and we’ve worked on a couple of things and fixed them. There’s been lots of measured practice and the more we play, the better the batting should get. We will find our feet and get the rhythm we want.
“It is a young top-order, they have not played much. So we are working on their skill and it is getting better. Nonkululeko Thabethe has a big role to play because she is now our most experienced batter and she can bat for long periods. She plays her role well,” Masengemi said.
While the Dolphins were one of the top sides last season – and #ThePrideOfJozi should be well-pleased with their T20 win over them – the Badgers are the surpise packets of the season so far.
The South-Western Districts team have gobbled up a lot of talent from around the country and are top of the Pro50 standings after winning both of their two matches. Playing them in Oudtshoorn also demands a fresh recipe for our DP World Lions.
“The Badgers have signed well and they are a well-balanced team, better than last season. They’ve beaten two of the big teams in Western Province and the Dolphins and they play a good brand of cricket.
“We know it is going to be tough going there, but I am confident we will do well, especially since it’s so important for us to get a ‘W’ in the 50-over competition. The pitch is a bit different in Oudtshoorn and we will have to bat well. You need to apply yourself and bat long.
“There were soft areas, like a couple of run outs, against the Dolphins. So I would like to see an improvement in discipline, but they must still play. I saw a bit of fear of failure on the first weekend and we need to be positive, you have to give yourself a chance. And I know we can play a positive brand of cricket,” Masengemi said.
DP World Lions squad for Oudtshoorn: Sunette Viljoen-Louw, Kgomotso Rapoo, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Madison Landsman, Neo Molefe, Razeena Manack, Refilwe Moncho, Diara Ramlakan, Sarah Nettleton, Liyema Jubati, Fay Cowling, Nonkululeko Thabethe, Jenna Evans, Relebohile Mkhize.