Dolphins and Tuskers announce men's squads for 2026/27 season

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins squad for the upcoming 2026/27 season has been confirmed with a strong blend of old and new faces in the set-up for what should be another exciting campaign. Hollywoodbets Dolphins

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins have confirmed their men's squad for the 2026/27 season, with a blend of established performers and exciting new additions set to bolster their squad for the upcoming campaign.

The Dolphins men’s squad sees the introduction of a fresh face and a few returning faces.

Josh Richards makes the move down to the coast from the DP World Lions and will bolster the Dolphins batting stocks while there are two players who return as familiar faces at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.

Grant Roelofsen and Keith Dudgeon leave Goldrush Boland to return to Durban and will be welcome additions to the squad looking to boost their ranks with more experienced players.

In addition, Bayanda Majola and Semal Pillay have been included as rookies, highlighting the union’s continued investment in youth and long-term player development.

They join a strong core group that includes Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen, Marques Ackerman, Khaya Zondo, Tristan Luus, Andile Simelane and Bryce Parsons alongside nationally contracted Proteas Keshav Maharaj and Ottniel Baartman.

The Dolphins will have David Miller in their ranks once again for the new season.

Further depth is provided through the Dolphins’ High Performance contracts, awarded to Bandile Mbatha and Tim Saulez.

Sean Gilson comes to Durban from the Moothee Ram Tuskers in Pietermaritzburg and comes on a Player of National Interest (PONI) High Performance (HP) contract. He, alongside another former Tusker in Ntando Zuma and Gomolemo Phiri will fill the PONI HP contracts.

Bandile Mbatha continues his rise through the ranks at the Dolphins and has been awarded a High Performance contract along with Tim Saulez. Saulez joins the Dolphins High Performance structure after a year in the junior set-up and following a 4-Day Domestic Series debut for the Dolphins this season.

KZN Cricket CEO Heinrich Strydom believes the balance across both squads positions the Dolphins well for the season ahead.

“We are very pleased with the composition of our men’s squad heading into the 2026/27 season," Strydom said. "There is a strong core of experienced players complemented by some exciting new talent that has earned their opportunity.

“These new additions bring fresh energy and competition within the environment, which is vital for sustained success. At the same time, our commitment to developing young players remains a key focus, as seen with the inclusion of our rookies and High Performance contracted players.

“We believe this squad have the depth, quality and character to compete strongly across all formats, while continuing to represent the values and pride of Dolphins cricket.”

KZN Cricket continues to be a strong pipeline in producing cricketers that shine across the various provinces. Strydom is proud that KZN can contribute so significantly in the eco-system of cricket in the country.

"We would love to retain all our players but we understand that players need to learn and grow and that sometimes has to come in different environments.

"Looking at how the team will be shaping up for the new season we are proud that KZN cricket has contributed in helping nurture a lot of the talent that will be on display domestically this coming season," Strydom added.

With a balanced mix of experience and youth in the squad, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will be aiming to make a strong impact in the 2026/27 domestic season.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad for 2026/27 Season

Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen, Marques Ackerman, Okuhle Cele, Nqobani Mokoena, Khaya Zondo, Grant Roelofsen, Josh Richards, Andile Simelane, Keith Dudgeon, Bryce Parsons, Hanu Viljoen, Romashan Pillay, Tristan Luus, David Miller, Bayanda Majola (Rookie), Semal Pillay (Rookie), Gomolemo Phiri (PONI HP), Ntando Zuma (PONI HP), Sean Gilson (PONI HP)

High Performance Contracts

Bandile Mbatha, Tim Saulez

Nationally Contracted Players

Keshav Maharaj, Ottniel Baartman

The Tuskers have also unveiled an exciting squad for the 2026/27 domestic season, blending experienced campaigners, emerging talent and a number of strategic recruits from outside the province as the team looks to shine in Division 2.

The squad retains a strong Inland core while welcoming several players from across the country who are expected to add valuable depth and competition across all departments.

Among the notable additions are all-rounder Ludwig Kaestner, who joins from Limpopo, and promising, young bowler Liyema Waqu, who arrives from Western Province. The Tuskers have also secured the services of pace bowler Jesse Albanie from Easterns.

Fortunately for head coach Ahmed Amla, he will keep a strong core of players from previous seasons with skipper Michael Erlank, all-rounder Malcolm Nofal, wicket-keeper batsman Cameron Shekleton, top order batters Jack Lees, Kagiso Rapulana and Muhammed Bulbulia, allrounder Chad Laycock and seamers Ziyaad Abrahams and Bamanya Xenxe all in the squad for the new season.

Local talent remains at the heart of the Tuskers setup, with young bowler Thabiso Ndlela returning to the Tuskers from Easterns where he played a handful of First-Class matches last season.

The contracted squad also features a number of High Performance squad members like Matthew Urquhart, Rowen Rajah, James Ritchie, Parth Patel, Joshua van Biljon, Ismaeel Omar, Daelen Fynn, and Jared Meiring, providing a strong blend of youth and experience for the season ahead.

CEO of Inland Cricket Jason Sathiaseelan is looking forward to seeing his squad shine when the new season arrives.

"We are extremely pleased with the squad we have assembled for the season ahead," Sathiaseelan said. "In putting the squad together, we had to carefully consider the new regulations, including the requirement of having no more than three contracted players over the age of 29, as well as fielding three Under-25 players in the starting XI.

"Despite these changes, we believe we have built a well-balanced and exciting squad, combining experienced campaigners with some outstanding young talent who have bright futures ahead of them. There is a real sense of energy and hunger within the group.

"Our objective is clear, we want to secure promotion back to where we believe we belong and we are confident that this squad has the quality, depth and character to achieve that goal."

Moothee Ram Tuskers Squad for 2026/27 Season

Michael Erlank, Malcolm Nofal, Ludwig Kaestner, Cameron Shekleton, Jack Lees, Bamanye Xenxe, Chad Laycock, Liyema Waqu, Thabiso Ndlela, Ziyaad Abrahams, Jesse Albanie, Kagiso Rapulana

High Performance Contracts

Matthew Urquhart, Rowen Rajah, Muhammed Bulbulia, James Ritchie, Parth Patel, Joshua van Biljon, Ismaeel Omar, Daelen Fynn, Jared Meiring