Lions Cricket Awards: Unwavering determination; incredible sportsmanship and sterling performances dominate the Pride’s glitz and glamour Annual Awards
- Cricket SA
- May 24
- 10 min read
It was a breathtaking night of celebration for the Pride’s cricketing community; a night celebrating all those who steadfastly and wholeheartedly walk with the Pride in pursuit of domestic dominance inside and outside the boundaries. The pipeline-focused evening acknowledged, displayed and rewarded all from far and wide, from the bottom up.
The nearly 500 guests were warmly welcomed by an energetic orchestra whilst walking the red carpet, guests were dazzled with a hive of activity; including the McCafe, the presence of the main act and ever-popular pop group Mafikizolo, camera crews from far and wide; food, drinks and laughter; not to mention the admiration of the fabulous and fashionable evening gowns and attire.
Like an actress owning the night at the Oscars, Raisibe Ntozakhe dazzled at the 2025 Lions Cricket Awards on Thursday night as the champion bowler ascended the stage for three coveted awards, including the prestigious DP World Lions Ladies Player of the Season honour.
Off-spinner Ntozakhe spearheaded the DP World Lions' Ladies triumphant finish to the 50 over tournament, topping the averages with 16 wickets at an average of just 12.61. Her 5/11 to bowl the Hollywoodbets Dolphins out for just 61 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium was the pivotal moment in the campaign as the victory enabled #ThePrideOfJozi to go to the top of the standings and then seal the title in the next round.
The 28-year-old was named the Lions’ HollywoodBets Pro50 Bowler of the Season, an award she also won for the Hollywoodbets Pro20 competition, where she was the DP World Lions' leading wicket-taker with nine in total. Ntozakhe's haul of wickets in the one-day competition was second only to her captain Kgomotso Rapoo, who claimed 18 wickets at 18.77 and was rewarded with the ACDC Express Players' Player of the Season and the McDonald's Fans' Player of the Season awards, having also taken seven wickets in the Pro20 Series.
Sunette Viljoen-Louw (362 runs at 45.25) and Tazmin Brits (219 runs at 43.80, SR 152.08) were the batters of the season for Pro50 and Pro20 cricket respectively, while Karabo Meso and Rapoo claimed the fielding awards.
Fellow bowler Codi Yusuf was as dominant for the men's team, walking away with four awards, including the DP World Lions Player of the Season and McDonald's Fans' Player of the Season titles.
Yusuf, whose 23 wickets at an average of just 22.39 in the CSA 4-Day Series was the joint-most with Lutho Sipamla for the DP World Lions as they shared that title. He also took the most wickets in the One-Day Cup (8) and has become coach Russell Domingo's go-to bowler for breakthroughs with the ball, being named the Bowler of the Season for both the four-day and the 50-over competitions.
Sipamla's 4/12 in the T20 Challenge final against the Momentum Multiply Titans was the sort of trophy-winning performance films are made of and the ever-reliable paceman was named the Bowler of the Season for the shortest format.
Connor Esterhuizen also revealed his great talent in the 2024/25 season, winning the Batter of the Season awards for both the One-Day Cup (276 runs at 55.20) and the T20 Challenge (199 runs at 33.16).
In the triumphant four-day campaign, Zubayr Hamza was able to include five half-centuries and a century in the final in his tally of 528 runs and he was named the Batter of the Season for that competition.
Bjorn Fortuin also shone in the CSA 4-Day Series with bat and ball, and he remained a key bowler for the DP World Lions in the limited-overs formats, the all-rounder being honoured with the prestigious ACDC Express Players' Player of the Season award.
Evan Jones was named Fielder of the Season for the T20 tournament for his safe catching and strong throws from the boundary, while Delano Potgieter (4-day) and Hamza (ODC) won the other men's fielding awards.
Kwena Maphaka was the spearhead of the successful DP World Lions attack in the T20 Challenge and was bowling bullets whenever he turned out for #ThePrideOfJozi, the teenager being named Sedgars Sport Newcomer of the Season.
All-rounder Fay Cowling was exploding on to the scene in the ladies team with her power-hitting and testing pace bowling at the same time and the 17-year-old was named Sedgars Sport Newcomer of the Season for the women's side.
Nonkululeko Thabethe scored over 400 runs across the two formats and her strike-rate was close to a hundred in the T20 competition, earning her the Afripure Most Improved Player of the Season title, while Muhammad Manack won the equivalent award, sponsored by Masana, for the men's team.
As always, our Blind cricketing stars shone on the night with Sivuyise Gwayi receiving the award for batter of the season and Lwande Bhidla, the recognition as bowler of the season. Samkelo Rampopo was acknowledged as the Most Improved Player of the Season and the coveted Fidelity Player of the Season went to the deserving Buhle Bhidla.
Our Deaf Cricketing heroes were also celebrated with Gareth Harries winning Batter of the Season. Bowler of the Season honours went to Sivesh Poonsamy-Muthoo who completed a hat trick by also winning the Fielder of the Season and the Fidelity Player of the Season.
The club structures are as strong as ever with players and teams from the Enza Premier League; Black Widow T20 League; Presidents League; Macrocomm T20 Knockout Cup and the Lions Veterans League all being rightly acknowledged at the Awards. In the Lions Youth Cricket Awards section, the future looks bright ranging from the Telkom Player of the Season; to the Kanu Equipment Rural Player of the Season; and topping it all off with the various McDonald’s awards including the Overall Progressive School of the Season as well as the McDonald’s School of Excellence of the Season. The Telkom Lions Academy Player of the season was awarded to Tiaan Brits.
Worth noting too, was the coveted Telkom Club of the Season: The nominees for this prestigious club award was Puntans Hill CC, Randburg CC and GM Old Edwardians CC with the award going to GM Old Edwardians CC.
The Starlight Soiree-themed event enjoyed another dazzling moment when Kirstie Thomson, who retired at the end of the season having played 143 matches for the DP World Lions, scoring over 4 000 runs and taking 100 wickets, was honoured for her enormous contribution to the Union with the Presidential Award.
Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright said: “We’ve had an unbelievable year – scoring so much more than we even set out to! That just shows the power of DREAMING BIG. I am genuinely grateful to the people of this Pride and all who support it – what an admirable effort – and trust me when I say that we have even BIGGER and BETTER planned for the upcoming season, both inside and outside the boundary ropes.”
Full list of Lions Cricket Award winners for 2024/25 season
Lions Club Cricket Individual Prize Winners
Enza Premier A League (50 overs) - Batter of the Season: Tiaan Brits
Enza Premier A League (Timed Cricket) - Batter of the Season: Muzammil Sheik
Lions Premier B League (50 overs) - Batter of the Season: George Barry
Lions Premier B League (Timed Cricket) - Batter of the Season: Jason Van Der Meulen
DP World Women's Premier League - Batter of the Season: Sunette Viljoen-Louw
Lions Women's B Premier League - Batter of the Season: Danielle Weber
Enza Premier A League (50 overs) - Bowler of the Season: Yasser Ditta
Enza Premier A League (Timed Cricket) - Bowler of the Season: Nicholas Whitelaw
Lions Premier B League (50 overs) - Bowler of the Season: Wesley Nemeti
Lions Premier B League (Timed Cricket) - Bowler of the Season: Wesley Nemeti
DP World Women's Premier League - Bowler of the Season: Hope Nettleton
Lions Women's A Premier League - Bowler of the Season: Mamly Ramphela
Enza Premier League - Player of the Season: Dylan Nicholas
Lions Premier League - Player of the Season: Wesley Nemeti
DP World Women's Premier League - Player of the Season: Sunette Viljoen-Louw
Lions Women's B Premier League - Player of the Season: Danielle Weber
Black Widow T20 League - Player of the Match (Final) - Section A (men): Ruan Van Der Schyff
Black Widow T20 League - Player of the Match (Final) - Section B (men): Kieran Bradley
Black Widow T20 League - Player of the Match (Final) (women): Liana Bezuidenhout
Black Widow T20 League - Premier A- Player of the Match (Final) (women): Tara Weinberg
Telkom Club of the Season: GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Being Kind Fair Play Award: GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Lions Match Officials Prize Winners
Sweetie Pie Umpire's Award - Angus Gouws
Sweetie Pie Scorer's Award - Akib Gulam
Lions Club Cricket League Winners
Enza Premier League Overall Winner: GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Lions Premier League Overall Winner: Randburg Cricket Club
Enza Premier League - Section A (Time): GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Enza Premier League - Section B (Time): Randburg Cricket Club
Enza Premier League (50 overs): University of Johannesburg Cricket Club
Lions Premier League (50 overs): Randburg Cricket Club
Black Widow T20 Competition - Premier A (men): Old Parktonians Cricket Club
Black Widow T20 Competition - Premier B (men): Randburg Cricket Club
Black Widow T20 Competition - Premier A (women): Randburg Cricket Club
Black Widow T20 Competition - Premier B (women): University of Johannesburg Cricket Club
DP World Premier League (Women): Randburg Cricket Club
Lions Women's Premier B League: GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Presidents League - Section A Overall Winner: GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Presidents League - Section B Overall Winner: Vereeniging Cricket Club
Presidents League - Section A (Time): GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Presidents League - Section B (Time): Vereeniging Cricket Club
Presidents League - Section A (50 overs): GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Presidents League - Section B (50 Overs): GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Sunday One: Jeppe Cricket Club
Sunday Two: Old Lions Cricket Club
Sunday Three: Azaadville Cricket Club
Sunday Four: Old Lions Cricket Club
Sunday Five: Crosby Legends Cricket Club
Sunday Six: Roshnee Cricket Club
Sunday Seven: Dalikay Cricket Club
Sunday Eight: Pirates Cricket Club
Lions Club Cricket Saturday Competition
Macrocomm T20 Knockout Cup: Puntans Hill Cricket Club
Saturday One (Men): GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club
Saturday Presidents League (Women): Orange Farm Cricket Club
Saturday Two: Puntans Hill Cricket Club
Saturday Three: Puntans Hill Cricket Club
Saturday Four: Old Parktonians Cricket Club
Saturday Five: Old Vaaltonians Cricket Club
Lions Veterans League Winners
Lions Veterans League Winners: Rising Sunsets
Lions Youth Cricket Awards
Telkom Under-16 Boys Player of the Season: Nkosana Sibiya
Telkom Under-18 Boys Player of the Season: Jason Rowles
Telkom Under-18 Girls Player of the Season: Tokologo Motsepe
Kanu Equipment Rural Under-17 Player of the Season: Luka Pretorius
McDonald's Overall Progressive School of the Season - Primary School: Montrose Primary School
McDonald's Overall Progressive School of the Season - High School: Kings College Bryanston
McDonald's School of Excellence of the Season - Girls High School: Steyn City School
McDonald's School of Excellence of the Season - Boys High School: St Davids Marist Inanda
McDonald's School of Excellence of the Season - Girls Primary School: Laeskool Kenmere
McDonald's School of Excellence of the Season - Boys Primary School: St Davids Marist Inanda
Mini Cricket Coach of the Season: Kgomotso Ngwetjana
Mini Cricket Co-ordinator of the Season: Tebogo Serala
Lions Rural Cricket
Kanu Equipment Batter of the Season: Alex Kok
Kanu Equipment Bowler of the Season: Wikus Botha
Kanu Equipment Player of the Season: Alex Kok
Telkom Lions Academy Prize Winners
Batter of the Season: Tiaan Brits
Bowler of the Season: Tetelo Maphaka
Telkom Lions Academy Player of the Season: Tiaan Brits
DP World Lions Blind Cricket Prize Winners
Batter of the Season: Sivuyise Gwayi
Bowler of the Season: Lwande Bhidla
Most Improved Player of the Season: Samkelo Rampopo
Fidelity Player of the Season: Buhle Bhidla
DP World Lions Deaf Cricket Prize Winners
Batter of the Season: Gareth Harries
Bowler of the Season: Sivesh Poonsamy-Muthoo
Fielder of the Season: Sivesh Poonsamy-Muthoo
Fidelity Player of the Season: Sivesh Poonsamy-Muthoo
DP World Lions (Women)
Hollywoodbets Pro50 Competition
Batter of the Season: Sunette Viljoen-Louw
Bowler of the Season: Raisibe Ntozakhe
Fielder of the Season: Karabo Meso
Hollywoodbets Pro20 Competition
Batter of the Season: Tazmin Brits
Bowler of the Season: Raisibe Ntozakhe
Fielder of the Season: Kgomotso Rapoo
Sedgars Sport New Comer of the Season: Fay Cowling
Afripure Most Improved Player of the Season: Nonkululeko Thabethe
Joburg Tourism Fitness Award: Sunette Viljoen-Louw
ACDC Express Player's Player of the Season: Kgomotso Rapoo
DP World Lions Player of the Season: Raisibe Ntozakhe
McDonald's Fan's Player of the Season: Kgomotso Rapoo
DP World Lions (Men)
CSA 4-Day Series
Batter of the Season: Zubayr Hamza
Bowler of the Season: Codi Yusuf
Fielder of the Season: Delano Potgieter
CSA 1-Day Cup
Batter of the Season: Connor Esterhuizen
Bowler of the Season: Codi Yusuf
Fielder of the Season: Zubayr Hamza
CSA T20 Challenge
Batter of the Season: Connor Esterhuizen
Bowler of the Season: Lutho Sipamla
Fielder of the Season: Evan Jones
Sedgars Sport New Comer of the Season: Kwena Maphaka
Masana Most Improved Player of the Season: Muhammad Manack
Joburg Tourism Fitness Award: Nqaba Peter
ACDC Express Player's Player of the Season: Bjorn Fortuin
DP World Lions Player of the Season: Codi Yusuf
McDonald's Fan's Player of the Season: Codi Yusuf
Lions Presidential and Legacy Awards
Presidential Award: Kirstie Thomson
Legacy Award: Brian Catt
Milestones Awards
First Class
50 Matches: Joshua Richards
100 Matches: Tshepo Moreki, Zubayr Hamza
One Day (List A)
100 Matches: Bjorn Fortuin; Tazmin Brits.
50 Matches: Palesa Mapoo.
T20
50 Matches: Evan Jones; Tshepo Moreki; Nonkululeko Thabethe; Kirstie Thomson.
Special Recognition Award - "Call Beyond Duty"
Beyond the Boundaries: Puntans Hill Sports Club
Hungry Hearts Award: Riverlea Cricket Club
National Representatives (1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025)
JJ Basson; Temba Bavuma; Buhle Bhidla (B2); Lwande Bhidla (B3); Isaac Bidla (B2); Geoff Botha; Tazmin Brits; Fay Cowling; Shani de Jager; Bjorn Fortuin; Gareth Harries; Reeza Hendricks; Sinalo Jafta; Sheenagh Jordaan; Jimmy Kgamadi; Ayabonga Khaka; Diketso Letlatsa; Jenna-Lee Lubbe; Craig Lyons; Siyavuya Mahlikihla (B3); Doctor Malinga (B1); Armaan Manack; Kwena Maphaka; Karabo Meso; Tokoloho Motsepe; Wiaan Mulder; Joseph Ndlovu; Nqaba Peter; Kamogelo Phiri; Sivesh Poonsamy-Muthoo; Kagiso Rabada; Pranav Raichetti; Diara Ramlakan; Ryan Rickelton; Jason Rowles; Tumi Sekhukhune; Lutho Sipamla; Chloe Tryon; Craig Lyons; Shanon van der Berg; Rassie van der Dussen; Colin Venter; Codi Yusuf; Mohammed Ejaz.
National Contracted Players for the 2025/2026 Season
Temba Bavuma; Tazmin Brits; Reeza Hendricks; Sinalo Jafta; Ayabonga Khaka; Kwena Maphaka; Wiaan Mulder; Kagiso Rabada; Ryan Rickelton; Tumi Sekhukhune; Chloe Tryon; Rassie van der Dussen.
Obituaries: Patricia Kambarami, Shoaib Moosa, Kamohelo Mtsweni, Chris Huddlestone, Nico van der Dussen.
Trophy Winners
Johnny Waite Trophy (Section A) (U19A) - Helpmekaar Kollege
Johnny Waite Trophy (Section A) (U19B) - King Edward VII School
Johnny Waite Trophy (Section A) (U15A) - King Edward VII School
Johnny Waite Trophy (Section B) (U19A) - Hoerskool Dr Malan
Johnny Waite Trophy (Section B) (U16A) - Jeppe High School for Boys
Johnny Waite Trophy (Section B) (U15A) - Hoerskool Transvalia
CSA Under-13 Geo Regional Cup - Lions Cricket U13 Yellow (Boys)
Gauteng Regional U13 Cup - Lions Cricket Yellow (Boys)
Gauteng Regional U15 Cup - Lions Cricket Blue (Girls)
CSA T20 Challenge - DP World Lions
CSA 4-Day Series - DP World Lions (joint winners)
Lions Cricket Ryder Cup - Team Mitch and Team Wiaan (joint winners)
Hollywoodbets Pro50 Women’s Series - DP World Lions
Sports Industry Awards - Sports Organisation of the Year 2024 - Lions Cricket
Competitions
Club with most attendance: Sandton Tigers Cricket Club
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