Justicia Shipena
The 2025 T20 Franchise Competition is set to identify future talent for the country’s high-performance squad and national cricket team.
As the country’s top cricket league for clubs, it offers top players a competitive platform to showcase their skills and earn national selection.
Cricket Namibia launched the tournament last week, introducing four franchise teams and their sponsors.
The matches will be played over the first two weekends of August at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller welcomed the sponsors and praised their investment in the sport.
“We are excited and privileged to have corporate partners investing in the growth of cricket in Namibia. Thank you for your commitment and for taking ownership of teams in our franchise. Your support is invaluable to the development of our game,” he said.
The four franchise teams and sponsors are Pupkewitz Motors (Pupkewitz Motors Wildcats), Nutritional Performance Labs (NPL Bears), Paratus Namibia (Paratus Jets), and Eavion (Eavion Eagles).
Each franchise has 14 players, drafted by team owners and coaches from a pool of registered players.
Team owners first drew lots to select their coaches before building their squads.
The competition is expected to offer a competitive club platform and strengthen the national player development system.
Pupkewitz Motors managing director Anton Westraadt said the partnership aligns with the company’s team-driven business model.
“Cricket works quite similar to our business operations. Teamwork wins the game – the same applies in our sales team, dealerships, workshops, parts, and admin pull together that wins loyal customers. Every run counts like every deal. In the automotive industry, every sale, every extra bit of service excellence adds up to our results. We are pleased to work with Cricket Namibia as we share the same values,” he said.
Paratus Namibia managing director Andrew Hall said their support reflects a long-term commitment to sport development.
“We are proud not just as a connectivity provider but as a committed partner to Namibian sport and the exciting journey of cricket in our country. Our brand is built on reliability, resilience, and the belief that with the right support, anything is possible, which is why this partnership with Cricket Namibia is more than sponsorship; it’s a pledge to power the next generation of talent and give Namibians a team they can rally behind,” Hall said.
Meanwhile, Eavion managing director Jean Basson highlighted Cricket Namibia’s grassroots focus as a reason for supporting the league.
“We’ve had the privilege of partnering with Cricket Namibia as both the mechanical and electrical engineers for the new stadium. What impressed us most wasn’t just the national teams but the deep commitment to growth, from youth cricket development to community outreach. So, when the opportunity came to support this new T20 franchise, we didn’t hesitate. Because what this franchise represents is not just sport. It’s ambition. It’s resilience. It’s innovation. And that’s something we relate to deeply,” said Basson.
Riaan Grobler from Nutritional Performance Labs stated that the partnership aims to improve player performance.
“Our partnership with Cricket Namibia is built on a shared vision: to fuel the success of Namibia’s top cricketers. At NPL, we understand the demands of the game and are proud to support players with high-quality nutritional products. Looking ahead, we are particularly excited about the upcoming T20 Franchise and the continued general performance growth of Cricket Namibia. We believe our nutritional support, combined with their talent and dedication, will help drive even more success,” Grobler said.
Team Line-Ups
Pupkewitz Motors Wildcats (Coaches: Fortune Matawu & Justin Kemp)
Jan Frylinck, JP Kotze, Malan Kruger, Dylan Leicher, Tangeni Lungameni, Leo Sadler, Fungai Hlupo, Max Heingo, Michael Muller, Roan van Vuuren, Dan Brassell, Mauritius Ngupita, PD Blignaut, Junior Tanyanda
NPL Bears (Coach: Craig Williams)
Gerhard Erasmus, Bernard Scholtz, Niko Davin, Handre Klazinga, Jack Brassell, Juan Viljoen, Drikus Swart, Ben Brassell, Erik Lintvelt, Waldo Smith, Shaun Fouché, Lohan Louwrens, WP Myburgh, Addo Iita
Eavion Eagles (Coach: Oscar Nauhaus)
JJ Smit, Ruben Trumpelmann, Michael van Lingen, JC Balt, Michau du Preez, Ruan van Rooyen, Sibusiso Maseko, Tiaan van der Merwe, Markus van Heerden, Douglas Truter, Alexander Volschenk, Josh Julius, Junior Kariata, Karl Birkenstock
Paratus Jets (Coach: Evert Laubscher)
Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Zane Green, Jan-Izak de Villiers, Ben Shikongo, Zhivago Groenewald, MJM Bakker, Sam Wearne, Adriaan Coetzee, Faf du Plessis, Jandre de Jager, Zacheo van Vuuren, Dian Neethling, Simon Shikongo, Samson Chivi
