Akhulile Mkatu

Akhulile Mkatu is an energetic seam bowler from Sterkspruit in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. A right-handed lower order batsman not known for his batting exploits, Akhulile is a sharp, Right-arm seamer that is currently contracted to the Mpumalanga Rhinos in South Africa’s Provincial system.

Born in the Eastern Cape, he’s been a long-term Mpumalanga resident, starting his adult cricket journey as a teenager with Embalenhle Cricket Club, he was selected in Mpumalanga’s RPC U17 side to contest the Standard Bank RPC U17 week in 2017.

He continued spear-heading the Embalenhle attack as he matured and was a standout seamer in the Provincial League, so when Mpumalanga where touted for a return to the Professional game, he was naturally in the incoming management’s line of sight in terms of the local talent pool.

Selected in Mpumalanga’s 2021-22 CSA Provincial T20 Cup squad, he would have to wait until the 2022-23 summer to see some proper action on field, making his First Class debut against Limpopo in November 2022. It was a solid start, picking up 3-67 and he has gone on to make another 9 intermittent appearances for the Rhinos to date.

Popular amongst his team mates with his passion for the game evident, Akhulile will be a good pick up for any club seeking a young raw quick looking for their first opportunity abroad in 2025. We’ll all look forward to seeing his “Cobra Kai” celebration around English Cricket grounds next summer.