The Central Gauteng women's cricket team, also known as DP World Lions and previously known as Southern Transvaal women's cricket team, Transvaal women's cricket team and Gauteng women's cricket team, is the women's representative cricket team for part of the South African province of Gauteng. They compete in the CSA Women's One-Day Cup and the CSA Women's T20 Challenge.
History The side first competed in the Simon Trophy in 1951–52, as Southern Transvaal, competing in the tournament until 1986–87. They then joined the Inter-Provincial Tournament for its inaugural season in 1995–96, as Transvaal, before becoming known as Gauteng in 1997–98. The side became Central Gauteng in 2019–20, and has also been known as Lions, in conjunction with the men's team. They have competed in Provincial One-Day Tournament ever since their first appearance, winning the title once, in 2004–05. That season, they finished second in Group B to qualify for the knockout rounds, subsequently reaching the final where they beat Border by 64 runs. They have also finished as runners-up in the tournament four times: in 2012–13, and three times in a row between 2015–15 and 2017–18.
Central Gauteng have also competed in the CSA Women's Provincial T20 Competition since it began in 2012–13. They have finished as runners-up three times, in 2012–13, 2016–17 and 2021–22, every time to Western Province. They won their first T20 competition in 2022–23, topping the Top 6 Division with eight wins from ten matches.
In August 2023, it was announced that a new professional domestic system would be implemented for women's cricket in South Africa. As one of the six teams in the top division of the two domestic competitions, Central Gauteng would be allowed eleven professional players from the 2023–24 season onwards.
Players Current squad Based on squad announced for the 2026–27 season. Players in bold have international caps.https://www.clubcricket.co.za/latestnews/women-contracted-squads-sa/ Name NationalityBirth dateBatting styleBowling style NotesBattersTazmin BritsRight-handedNational ContractKeamogetswe ChueneJenna EvansRight-handedDiara RamlakanRight-handedRight-arm seamNonkululeko ThabetheRight-handedRight-arm seamSunette ViljoenRight-handedRight-arm seamKeepersSinalo JaftaRight-handedNational ContractRazeena ManackKarabo MesoRight-handedNational ContractNeo MolefeAll-roundersLethabo BidliRight-handedRight-arm orthodox spinFay CowlingRight-handedRight-arm seamMadison LandsmanRight-handedRight-arm wrist spinChloe TryonRight-handedLeft-arm orthodox spinNational ContractBowlersShabnim IsmailLeft-handedRight-arm seam Liyema JubatiRight-handedRight-arm orthodox spin Ayabonga KhakaRight-handedRight-arm seam National ContractLehlohonolo MesoRight-handedRight-arm seam Relebohile MkhizeLeft-arm seam Refilwe MonchoRight-handedRight-arm seam Sarah NettletonRight-handedLeft-arm orthodox spin Raisibe NtozakheRight-handedRight-arm orthodox spin Kgomotso RapooRight-handedRight-arm wrist spin Tumi SekhukhuneLeft-handedRight-arm seamLeani SwanepoelRight-arm seamThuto ThibediRight-arm wrist spin
Notable players Players who have played for Central Gauteng and played internationally are listed below, in order of first international appearance (given in brackets):
Barbara Cairncross (1960) Pamela Hollett (1960) Eileen Hurly (1960) Jean McNaughton (1960) Yvonne van Mentz (1960) Lorna Ward (1960) Dulcie Wood (1960) Bev Brentnall (1966) Jos Burley (1966) Lesley Clifford (1966) Beverly Botha (1972) Carole Gildenhuys (1972) Wea Skog (1972) Gloria Williamson (1972) Myrna Katz (1972) Brenda Williams (1972) Alta Kotze (1997) Kerri Laing (1997) Linda Olivier (1997) Daleen Terblanche (1997) Sunette Viljoen (2000) Cri-Zelda Brits (2002) Tamara Reeves (2002) Trisha Chetty (2007) Shabnim Ismail (2007) Kirsten Blair (2007) Kirstie Thomson (2009) Melissa Smook (2011) Ayabonga Khaka (2012) Savanna Cordes (2013) Yolani Fourie (2014) Nonkhululeko Thabethe (2014) Raisibe Ntozakhe (2017) Tumi Sekhukhune (2018) Robyn Searle (2018) Sharne Mayers (2019) Karabo Meso (2024) Madison Landsman (2024)
Honours CSA Women's One-Day Cup: Winners (1): 2004–05 CSA Women's T20 Challenge: Winners (1): 2022–23
See also Gauteng (cricket team)
References