SA Masters field confirmed
Niksa Benguric will be tough to beat at Wingate Park.
The BSA South African Masters will return to Wingate Park in February 2024 with a stellar field ready to battle for the most prestigious honours on offer.
Across the various levels from Open to Veterans and including the U30s, there are many capped Proteas players looking to add the blue-ribbon event to their CVs.
The Women’s Open will be defended by Johlene Bronkhorst (Eden) following her stunning run to gold in Cape Town in 2023. The late invitee managed to down Proteas fours’ skip Anneke Snyman on a dramatic day at Western Province Cricket Club.
Bronkhorst has plenty to worry about when it comes to the sectional play with Colleen Piketh, the incumbent SA singles player, for company. Francesca Baleri has quickly become accustomed to playing at the highest level and will be a threat alongside fellow Proteas player Bridget Calitz. The experience of Esme Haley cannot be counted out which makes Section 1 as tough as it gets.
Snyman will be desperate to go one further in 2024 but she must progress from Section 2 which includes national teammate Esmé Kruger. Eastern Province star Dezi Rosenblatt, herself capped at international level, is a strong contender to cause a shock.
The U30s is littered with many rising stars like Proteas lead Thabelo Muvhango, Shannon Davies, Emma Murphy and WP’s Gillian Young. It will be a fascinating contest to follow.
Charles Mathewson headlines the Men’s U30s and while he will be tough to beat, there are many that will be looking to topple the Proteas player. Lethabo Mathibela (JBA) has been highly spoken of for some time and the likes of Cecil Bornman, Josh Turner and Nomatter Muvhango will be keen to impress.
The Open Men’s sectional play will bring fireworks to Wingate Park as Niksa Benguric looks to defend. He is the first name down in Section 1 but to be the one to progress to the championship match means he will need to outlast the likes of Jason Evans - a man who’s CV needs no introduction, Proteas player Wayne Rittmuller and the experienced star from Eden, Billy Radloff.
Kholwani Khanyile (NIB) gets his chance in the Open division following his stunning win in the U30s in 2023. It will be a tough task but he will no doubt treasure the chance to mix it with the very best.
Section 2 is likely to deliver action in every match with 2023 runner-up Mathews Phiri going head to head with the likes of Proteas quartet, Victor Siphali, Wayne Roberts, Bradley Robinson and Brendan Ferns. To add to the spice of the play is the presence of reigning SA National Singles title holder Paul White and of course, the legendary Gerry Baker. Martin Lewis rounds out the tough section and he will be hoping that home province advantage plays a factor.
It will be a fascinating few days of singles play that promises to thrill and excite all those who attend to spectate at the showpiece event. Live streaming details to follow.
*Editor’s note: Annelie de Jager (BOL) has replaced Anneke Snyman in the field
Women Open Masters
Section 1
Francesca Baleri KZN
Johlene Bronkhorst EDN
Colleen Piketh EDN
Segametsi Mokoto NWB
Marizellé Rousseau BGN
Bridget Calitz SAB
Esme Haley JBA
Claire Cowan WPB
Section 2
Annelie de Jager BOL
Natalie Botha PNB
Elma Louw WPB
Nici Neal SAB
Dezi Rosenblatt EPB
Charlotte Rossouw SED
Esmé Kruger EDN
Leoné du Rand BGN
Women Veteran Masters
Section 1
Sue Tarr BGN
Heather Pembroke JBA
Louise Wessels BGN
Glenda Matthews PNB
Nan Roos EDN
Cherry-Ann Mills EKB
Section 2
Susan Nel PNB
Sandy Smart EPB
Lyn Lambert LIM
Linda Stringer BOL
Pam Cole-Cook KBA
Jenny Jones BGN
Women U30 Masters
Section 1
Emma Murphy JBA
Luané du Plessis NFS
Lezandri Hildebrand NWB
Lolly Skingle BGN
Leila Snyman SAB
Zuné Waters EKB
Section 2
Gillian Young WPB
Shannon Davies JBA
Thabelo Muvhango SAB
Jackie Rabie EDN
Alicea Snyder EPB
Panashe Ziramba BGN
Men Open Masters
Section 1
Niksa Benguric BGN
Kholwani Khanyile NIB
André Rousseau BGN
Wilson Malobola SAB
Wayne Rittmuller PNB
Shaun Thomas JBA
Billy Radloff EDN
Jason Evans JBA
Section 2
Mathews Phiri EKB
Martin Lewis BGN
Bradley Robinson NIB
Brendan Ferns BGN
Victor Siphali JBA
Paul White PNB
Gerry Baker JBA
Wayne Roberts PNB
Men Veteran Masters
Section 1
Francois Koen BGN
Brian Dial JBA
Robbie Piketh SAB
Theuns Fraser KZN
Gianni Gatti JBA
Callie Van der Merwe BOL
Section 2
Rudi Jacobs NFS
John Connellan PNB
Bobby Donnelly JBA
Kenny Kyriacou BGN
Mark Beviss-Challinor BOL
Stoffel Lambrechts BOL
Men U30 Masters
Section 1
Cecil Bornman BGN
Driaan van Niekerk NCB
Josh Turner BOR
Terrance McGlynn KBA
Adi Esau BOL
David Nel KZN
Section 2
Charles Mathewson NCB
Alwyn Martignone BGN
Micus Grech MPU
Lethabo Mathibela JBA
Adrian Bookless KZN
Nomatter Muvhango SAB
