Warriors batter Sinethemba Qeshile aims to kick on after South Africa ‘A’ century

Warriors batter Sinethemba Qeshile is focused on the upcoming CSA Four-Day Series fixture against Western Province in Gqeberha next week, aiming to back up his recent 186 against New Zealand ‘A’.

The Test tour to Pakistan is less than a month away, with the first Test scheduled to begin on 12 October at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Yet, with the countdown on, there has still been no update on the fitness of two of South Africa’s key Test batters, captain Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi, who suffered calf and hamstring strains respectively during the England tour.

That uncertainty has turned the spotlight onto the fringe batters, including Qeshile and Zubayr Hamza, both fresh from big First-Class hundreds for South Africa ‘A’ in the recently concluded series against New Zealand ‘A’.

Qeshile told Independent Media that his priority is to build on that 186 with another big score in the opening CSA Four-Day Series clash at St George’s Park.

“(Making the Test team) is obviously something that you would want. Looking at it now with what’s going on at the top, it’s not at the top of my head right now,” Qeshile said.

“I’ve just come off a good hundred, but I just have to back it up, I guess. Also, we’ve got a domestic season starting now, and I just have to take care of that first before looking ahead. I feel like if you take care of what’s happening now, everything else above is going to take care of itself, God willing.”

Qeshile has come a long way since making his First-Class debut just days after turning 19. Now 26, with 61 First-Class games behind him, he has compiled four centuries and 18 fifties at an average of 35.87. With that experience, he carries significant responsibility, both in a Warriors shirt and at South Africa ‘A’ level.

One of his centuries came against the Lions at the Wanderers, in a game where the opposition attack was spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada and Lutho Sipamla, two quicks with Test match experience.

Reflecting on his journey in First-Class cricket so far, Qeshile underlined the importance of being a student of the game.

“I’m open-minded. Listening is quite important — from coaches, from your own colleagues, just listening to conversations and also trying to engage with where you are in your career and what you need to improve,” he said.

“I think back then, when I started, it was more about playing with freedom and not thinking too much about the game. Whereas now, having been around the circuit and knowing game situations, I know what to expect in different types of situations. Now it’s just more about thinking during batting and during game scenarios. As you get older, you get more experience, and you have a lot more responsibility on your shoulders.”

Qeshile and his Warriors teammates will host Western Province in Gqeberha for the opening fixture of the 2025/26 season.