Gugulethu Cricket Club Women Make History and Earn a Spot at the Premier Division

Picture of Thembakazi Ngxishe 
holding the trophy 

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, the achievements of women in sport continue to remind us of the talent, determination and opportunities that exist within our communities. One team making its mark is the women’s side at Gugulethu Cricket Club, who have made history by winning the 2025 and 2026 WPCA First Division title and securing promotion to the Premier Division.

The achievement is particularly significant for Gugulethu Cricket Club because it marks the first league title in the club’s 51-year history. After a season filled with both challenges and memorable moments, the women’s team finished as champions and have now earned the opportunity to compete at a higher level of women’s cricket.

 The club’s historic achievement was recently discussed on   BackChat on Bush Radio, on the 13th of August 2026.where   Chairperson Vusi Ntoni spoke about the team’s journey, the   significance of their first league title in 51 years and what   promotion to the Premier Division means for the players. The   conversation also explored the role of cricket in creating             opportunities for young women in Gugulethu and surrounding communities.

The team recently received its championship trophy at the WPCA Pathway Awards, where captain Thembakazi Ngxishe accepted the trophy on behalf of her teammates. The moment represented more than just a prize. It was a celebration of the hard work put in by the players, coaches, supporters and everyone involved in the club.

For a club that has been part of the Gugulethu community for more than five decades, the women's team's success is an important milestone. It also proves to show the growing role that women's sport can play in creating opportunities for young girls and women who are interested in pursuing cricket

Winning the First Division means the team will now face a new challenge in the Premier Division. The players will move from 20-over cricket to 50-over cricket, requiring them to adapt to a longer format that demands a greater level of endurance, concentration and tactical discipline.

The challenge is even greater because none of the current players have previously played in the Premier Division. The club will therefore need to prepare the team for a higher level of competition while ensuring that the players continue developing their skills and confidence.

Vusi and Thembakazi during the interview

However, the promotion also provides the players with an opportunity to test themselves against some of the strongest teams in women's cricket and gain valuable experience that could help them progress further in the sport.

Beyond the results on the cricket field, Gugulethu Cricket Club's success could have a wider impact on young women in Gugulethu and surrounding communities. Thembakazi said" The opportunity to play cricket has saved her personally and many other young people from the careless life of the streets...... our lives are centered around schools and practise "

The coach also made mention that the club's growing presence in the community has already attracted interest from new players who want to become part of the team. Increased visibility can help young women discover cricket and understand that there are pathways available to them within the sport. Thembakazi also mentioned how sports can open greater doors and that education is not the only way to success and that sports may also be someone's breakthrough she said that obviously not diminishing the importance of school.

The Gugulethu Cricket Club Women Team 

One example of the opportunities that can come from being involved in cricket is former Gugulethu Cricket Club player Amahle Giladile, who was selected for the Catch-Trust team that toured the United Kingdom.

Opportunities such as these show how playing cricket can open doors beyond local competitions. For young players, involvement in the sport can provide exposure, experience and the chance to connect with opportunities they may not otherwise have access to.

The success of Gugulethu Cricket Club's women's team comes at an important time as conversations around women's participation in sport continue to grow. For young women who are interested in cricket but may not know where to begin, the team's journey serves as an example of what can be achieved through commitment, teamwork and perseverance.

The club's historic First Division victory is therefore about more than a trophy. It represents progress for women's cricket, particularly at community level, and creates a platform from which more young girls can see themselves as cricketers. As the team prepares for life in the Premier Division, Gugulethu Cricket Club will be hoping to build on this historic achievement rather than simply celebrate it. The goal now is not only to compete but to grow and make an impact.

Thembakazi and her coaches.

The 2025 and 2026 title has already secured the team a place in Gugulethu Cricket Club's history. Their journey in the Premier Division could be the beginning of an even bigger chapter for women's cricket in the community.

Written by Unathi Ngomana