Verreynne: YesPlay Cobras ready for another challenge

September 2026

CAPE TOWN – YesPlay WP Cobras wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne believes the team can take plenty of confidence from their opening 1st Class Series match of the season as they prepare to face the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at YesPlay Newlands Cape Town on Thursday.

The YesPlay WP Cobras opened their campaign against the Dafabet Warriors last week, producing a positive result after showing resilience under pressure. Verreynne says the performance provided encouraging signs for the season ahead.

“We got a nice positive result against the Warriors,” said Verreynne. “I think there were some really good signs for the team early in the season, showing a lot of fight after being under quite a bit of pressure. A few of our debutants also put their hands up, which is really promising.”

The YesPlay WP Cobras will also welcome back key players Mihlali Mpongwana, Kyle Simmonds and Tshepo Moreki, who return from the South Africa A tour against Bangladesh.

Their return adds valuable experience to a squad that has already seen several young players make an impression.

“We’ve got a few of our SA A boys back for this week’s game against the Dolphins, which is always nice,” he said. “It adds a bit of experience to the team, which is exciting. We’re looking forward to a good challenge against a strong Dolphins side.”

One of the standout performers against the Warriors was young all-rounder Oliver Whitehead, who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

“The boys are in really good spirits and hopefully we can push for our first win of the season,” added Verreynne.

“It is really pleasing for Ollie. He picked up his maiden five-wicket haul, and he’s one of those young guys, from the moment he walked into the changing room a couple of years ago, you sensed there was something special about him.

“He’s a hard worker and has put a lot of hard yards in the build-up to the season, so it’s great to see someone like that get rewarded. Now it’s important for him to continue building on that performance.”

The YesPlay WP Cobras face the Hollywoodbets Dolphins from 10h00 on Thursday at YesPlay Newlands Cape Town, with the match being livestreamed on the official Cricket South Africa YouTube channel.

YesPlay Cobras squad vs Dolphins

Oliver Whitehead, Jody Lawrence, Daniel Smith (c), Mihlali Mpongwana, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Sinalo Gobeni, Raeeq Daniels, Dane Paterson, Joshua van Heerden, Valentine Kitime, Valentine Kitime, Kyle Simmonds, Tshepo Moreki.

ABOUT WESTERN PROVINCE CRICKET ASSOCIATION (WPCA)

The WPCA is the custodian of cricket in the Cape Metropole and oversees the development and promotion of the game across all levels, from grassroots participation to professional cricket (YesPlay WP Cobras). As one of South Africa’s most historic and successful cricket regions, WPCA plays a key role in hosting international matches at the iconic YesPlay Newlands Cape Town and growing the sport in the province.