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Toss Winner - Northern Cape won the toss and choose to bat first
Eastern Storm beat Northern Cape by 46 runs
Eastern Storm aim to rebound against Northern Cape in Division Two contest
Eastern Storm are slightly favored to capitalize on home conditions and recent consistency.
| Tournament: | CSA Four-Day Series Division Two 2025-26 |
| Format: | test |
| Venue: | Willowmoore Park Cricket Stadium, Benoni, South Africa |
| Toss Prediction: | To Bat |
| Weather: | 20.2°C|Partly Cloudy |
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Eastern Storm and Northern Cape meet in a crucial CSA Four-Day Series Division Two 2025-26 encounter as both sides look to build momentum in South Africa’s domestic first-class competition. Eastern Storm have shown flashes of strong cricket this season; after drawing with Mpumalanga Rhinos on 4 Dec 2025, where they were dismissed for 215 all-out and trailed by 89 runs on first innings before the game ended with them at 52/2 in the second innings, they remain competitive in longer formats. Northern Cape’s most recent match against South Western Districts (8–11 Jan 2026) saw them overcome a challenging first innings total of 134 all-out with strong contributions from Ronan Hermann (87) and Nonelela Yikha (62) to position themselves at 181/3 (58.4 overs) chasing 288, suggesting improved resilience with the bat. Both teams occupy similar mid to lower positions on the Division Two table and are seeking their first definitive win of the campaign, making this match significant for altering their fortunes. A strong first-innings total and sustained bowling pressure could be decisive in shaping the outcome of this four-day contest.
ES
197/10 in 59.4 3.3
CSAFS
Knights beat Eastern Storm by 8 wickets
31/2 in 10.0 3.1
570/9 in 147.2 3.87
CSAFS
Eastern Storm beat Limpopo Impalas by 63 runs
0/0 in 0.0 0
143/8 in 20.0 7.15
144/10 in 19.5 7.26
NCAPE
134/10 in 44.4 3
289/3 in 92.3 3.12
184/4 in 20.0 9.2
CSAKC
Border beat Northern Cape by 69 runs
115/8 in 20.0 5.75
130/10 in 18.5 6.9
CSAKC
Knights beat Northern Cape by 93 runs
223/4 in 20.0 11.15
219/10 in 80.3 2.72
CSAFS
Mpumalanga Rhinos beat Northern Cape by 258 runs
163/10 in 59.0 2.76
Eastern Storm’s Division Two campaign has underlined their capability to compete effectively in the four-day format, especially when building sustained partnerships. In their latest completed match against Mpumalanga Rhinos, Eastern Storm were dismissed for 215 in their first innings, with contributions from multiple batters enabling them to build a respectable base against a strong Rhinos bowling attack. Batters such as Jurie Snyman and Ernest Kemm provided starts before the innings folded, and their bowlers applied pressure by dismissing the opposition for 304/8 declared, keeping the match alive into the third day. Although the match ultimately ended in a draw with Eastern Storm at 52/2 in the second innings, the performance reflected their potential in constructing competitive totals and maintaining fight in the game.
Across the campaign Eastern Storm have shown resilience at times and the ability to apply sustained bowling spells, but converting promising positions into decisive victories has been elusive. For this fixture, consistency in batting through the middle order and leveraging sustained sessions with the ball will be crucial. The contributions of experienced players and emerging talent in handling prolonged periods of play will significantly influence their prospects.
Key Players: Jurie Snyman, Ernest Kemm, Kabelo Sekhukhune
Jurie Snyman, Ernest Kemm (c), Christopher Britz, Kabelo Sekhukhune, Dewan Marais, Grant Thomson, Jaden Govender (wk), Andrew Rasemene, Tumelo Simelane, Thabiso Ndlela, Amaan Khan
Ernest Kemm, Christopher Britz, Grant Thomson, Andrew Rasemene, Amaan Khan, Dewan Marais, Kabelo Sekhukhune, Jurie Snyman, Jesse Albanie, Jaden Govender, Thabiso Ndlela
Northern Cape have endured a challenging Division Two campaign but showed encouraging signs in their recent match against South Western Districts on 8–11 Jan 2026, where they rebounded from an initial total of 134 all-out. In that fixture Ronan Hermann scored 87 and Nonelela Yikha made 62, putting them in a strong position with 181/3 chasing 288 before play was interrupted. This resilience demonstrates that the side can mount competitive batting responses against quality opposition.
Earlier in the season, Northern Cape struggled against high totals — for example against Mpumalanga Rhinos where they were defeated by 258 runs (219 & 163) — indicating areas in batting depth and consistency that need strengthening. However, the recent score against South Western Districts suggests technical adjustments and improved application during longer innings, which could prove vital in the upcoming match. Their bowling attack will aim to extract advantage with disciplined spells and contain Eastern Storm’s experienced batters.
Key Players: Ronan Hermann, Nonelela Yikha, Tahir Isaacs
Ronan Hermann (c), Nonelela Yikha, Tahir Isaacs, Tristan van Rensburg, Garnett Tarr (wk), Morne Venter, Tshepo Ntuli, Romano Terblanche, Benjamin Van Rensburg, Orapeleng Motlhoaring, Odirile Modimokoane
Romano Terblanche, Ronan Hermann, Morne Venter, Nonelela Yikha, Odirile Modimokoane, Tahir Isaacs, Charl Prinsloo, Benjamin Van Rensburg, Orapeleng Motlhoaring, Liam Doherty, Ruan Van Rooyen, Zeden Mahomed
Weather conditions in Benoni during late January are generally warm and settled, conducive to full days of play. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain moderate, with limited cloud cover across most sessions. While brief afternoon showers are not uncommon in the region, prolonged rain interruptions are unlikely, suggesting minimal weather influence on match duration and result.
Benoni is known for producing balanced four-day surfaces that offer consistent bounce and carry, particularly rewarding batters who apply themselves early. Seam bowlers tend to find assistance with the new ball during the opening sessions, but conditions usually ease as the match progresses, placing emphasis on patience and shot selection. As the game moves into later days, spinners can come into play through wear and footmarks rather than sharp turn. First-innings totals remain crucial at this venue, with teams that establish a solid base often dictating the course of the match.
At Benoni, captains in four-day cricket have traditionally leaned towards batting first when conditions are stable, aiming to make full use of the best batting surface early in the match. While early-morning seam movement can tempt some sides to bowl, teams often prefer setting a first-innings platform here to control tempo across four days.
Eastern Storm enter this match with a mix of competitive batting displays and unfinished opportunities, most recently showcased in their draw against Mpumalanga Rhinos. Northern Cape’s recent batting resilience, highlighted by strong knocks from Hermann and Yikha, shows they are capable of competing, but gaps remain in converting starts into dominating totals. If Eastern Storm can score big first innings and sustain disciplined bowling attack phases, they hold a practical edge. However, Northern Cape’s recent improvement suggests a competitive contest, with their chances hinging on building long partnerships and bowling cohesively over sustained spells.
Eastern Storm are slightly favored to capitalize on home conditions and recent consistency.
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