The Garden Route Badgers has intensified their focus in their preparations for the upcoming season.  All the players are back from overseas and preparations under the guidance of the newly appointed coach, Lotle Sesele, is under full swing.

George van Heerden

The campaign for the 2025/26 season will kick-off on 2 October with a four day match against Limpopo Impala in Polokwane. Thereafter they Oudtshoorn based side will take on the Mpumalanga Rhino’s in Oudtshoorn in a four day match on 16 October whereafter the T20 challenge will start.

The head coach Lotle Sesele has confirmed that Yaseen Valli (red-ball) and George van Heerden (White Ball;  50 over and T20 format) will be the captains for the upcoming season.

“We have full confidence in their leadership abilities and as a coaching staff we also trust that the dual roles will not impact on our plans to have a successful season”, Sesele concluded.

He also confirmed that a replacement for the contracted Luke Beaufort (wicket keeper/batsman) who recently announced his retirement from the game will be announced soon.  Beaufort, a former SA U/19 player, has accepted a corporate job offer in the UK.

The fixtures for the season are:

Cricket South Africa Division 2 T20 Challenge

• 25 October 2025 vs Limpopo Impalas (Cricket Club Polokwane)
• 29 October 2025 vs Eastern Cape Iinyathi (Recreation Ground; Oudtshoorn)
• 2 November 2025 vs Northern Cape (Kimberley Oval; Kimberley)
• 8 November 2025 vs Mpumalanga Rhinos (Recreation Ground; Oudtshoorn)
• 12 November 2025 vs Eastern Storms (Recreation Ground; Oudtshoorn)
• 15 November 2025 vs Free State (Mangaung Oval)
• 18 Novemebr 2025 Division 2 T20 Challenge - Qualifier 1
• 19 November 2025 Division 2 T20 Challenge - Eliminator
• 21 November 2025 Division 2 T20 Challenge - Qualifier 2
• 23 November 2025 Division 2 T20 Challenge - Final

Cricket South Africa Four Day Series: Division 2

• 2-5 October 2025 vs Limpopo Impalas (Cricket Club Polokwane)
• 16-19 October 2025 vs Mpumalanga Rhinos (Recreation Ground; Oudtshoorn)
• 18-21 December 2025 vs Eastern Cape Iinyathi (Recreation Ground; Oudtshoorn)
• 8-11 January 2026 vs Northern Cape (Kimberley Oval; Kimberley)
• 15-18 January 2026 vs Free State (Mangaung Oval)
• 29 Jan - 1 Feb 2026 vs Eastern Storms (Recreation Ground; Oudtshoorn)
• 6-10 February 2026 Final

Cricket South Africa One Day Domestic Competition: Division 2