Roberts, Scheepers lead new-look SA team

Wayne Roberts and Anneke Scheepers will play vital roles when the South African side heads to the 2024 African States Tournament in Botswana.

Roberts recently won the 2024 SA National Singles title and will now try to go back to back in the same discipline in September where he looks to defend his AST gold medal.

Those wins helped the cool and calm Port Natal star to 10th in the inaugural Official World Bowls Rankings.

Roberts will play singles and then skip Shaun Thomas in the pairs in Botswana. Thomas secured bronze in the SA National singles and silver in the fours as he continues to build a rich CV based on his ability to dead draw to the jack.

He is the only debutant in the Proteas side for the tournament.

Niksa Benguric has been called up to skip the Fours and Triples where he will be joined by CP Mathewson and John Molupi, who is also back for a chance to defend his gold won in the Men’s Fours.

The Women’s side will be spearheaded by Anneke Scheepers - who like Roberts - is the defending SA National Singles champion.

Scheepers, who has skipped the Fours side to two silver medals in the Commonwealth Games, will now play Singles and Pairs where she will be joined by Dezi Rosenblatt, who finished with a silver in the BSA Masters this year at Wingate Park.

Colleen Piketh shifts to take over the reins as skip of the Fours and Triples teams. She is joined by Esme Kruger and Thabelo Muvhango in the Triples and will be a formidable threat as all players look to secure gold and valuable world rankings points.

Kruger, ranked 41st, is the only SA Women in the top 50 of the new rankings and will have a great chance to build on her good effort with a good showing in Botswana.

The 2024 African States Tournament in Botswana will be played from 23-26 September in Orapa.