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Carin Strauss is known for being the Spar Proteas Netball coach of many moons ago, but her love for netball started when she played with her older sister and her friends. At Hoërskool Sand Du Plessis, she was inspired by coaches who loved the game and ignited the flame within her.  Strauss says she was exposed to netball her whole life.

For 31 years, she has been a coach, and it all started when she was expecting her first child. Although she couldn’t play anymore, she couldn’t think to turn away from the game, so she took on the next best thing, coaching.

She has a holistic approach to motivating players at Hoërskool Garsfontein as a coach. She motivates them according to their personalities, but for the team as a whole, they set goals that they can achieve together. She stated that motivation can’t come from the coach alone; it has to be a partnership between coach and players.

Strauss is more than just a sideline coach, she wants her players to think independently. However, according to her, once the adrenaline kicks, her competitive nature takes over, and she talks too much when the games start. But everyone has a responsibility on the team.

Strauss’s game plan approach is to first focus on her own team’s structure and to establish her team’s goals and setup. The opponents’ weaknesses and strengths are of secondary priority.

The way she chooses her team always starts with the experience of the players. There are a lot of factors that go into the decision-making process. At the end, Strauss and her team want to give all the players exposure to the games and not make anyone feel like they have been switched out because they weren’t good enough.

Strauss is all about teamwork, she also has a co-coach that she bounces ideas from. She looks to pick someone who balances her out, someone she can wholeheartedly trust. Strauss says the competition and risks are just too high and overwhelming to go at it alone. Coaching is a two-person job.

Strauss says she loves the competitive nature of the game. She also loves inspiring the girls of her team and seeing them reach the next level, whether it is in the game or personally. Strauss is involved in Tshwane netball, where she helps with developing new coaches and reinvigorating the love for the game within players. Netball is another platform for someone to shine and feel special.

Strauss has a message for the young girls. “Netball is on the map now.” She urges players not to stop playing after school, as there can be a future in netball. Not everyone peaks in high school. Don’t give up too quickly, and even if you play in a B-team, play because you love the sport.

The Gauteng Development League Youth Cup is well and truly underway, with action continuing around the province this weekend in the round of 16.

Last season’s under-13 champs, Mamelodi Sundowns, remain in the hunt for the title after keeping a clean sheet against Prestige Football Development Academy last weekend, while slotting two goals past the Prestige goalkeeper.

Despite winning the 2022 edition of the knockout tournament, Mamelodi Sundowns’ u13 coach Lunga Nobela was at pains to emphasise the point that his team was made up of 11- and 12-year-olds.

Nobela said his players were filled with potential, but they were also challenged by having to front up to bigger and more experienced boys, which was especially the case when they took on Kaizer Chiefs’ u13s in the semi-finals last season.

“We believe…we deserve to be here,” Nobela said during last year’s final four showdown with Chiefs at Panorama.

WATCH: GDL YOUTH CUP 2023 LAUNCH

“Our succession plan is for next year (2023) and that’s why we have 11- and 12-year-old boys that we believe have the talent. What we expect from them is to enjoy themselves and be free enough to play a normal game.”

In 2022, Nobela’s young charges went on to claim the knockout title and they have since gone on to deliver bigger and better things.

In December 2022, they laid claim to the silverware in the inaugural Volkswagen (VW) Vaya Cup soccer tournament, which was held at the University of the Witwatersrand. Following that triumph, coach Nobela and his team were rewarded with a coveted spot at a bespoke international training camp with FC Porto, in Portugal, in April.

This season, in the Gauteng Development League, Nobela’s team finished as runners-up to a dominant Kaizer Chiefs’ side, which finished 10 points clear at the top.

At the core of Nobela’s approach is a coaching philosophy that focuses on the development of his players as individuals but, at the same time, for the benefit of the Pretoria-based club and the nation at large.

“Yes, we want to win but, at the end of the day, it is all about the development of the boys. It is for them to develop and become good players, so that one day they can represent not only the club but the national team,” he said.

“At Mamelodi Sundowns, that is our vision, to make sure that from a young age that is what we build.”

The Brazilians’ u13s, u15s and u19s are all through to the round of 16 of the Gauteng Development League Youth Cup, but the u17s were bounced from the tournament last weekend after a 1-3 defeat to Prestige FDA.

After a 42-run loss to Michaelhouse last weekend, Westville Boys’ High School will be aiming to bounce back against Maritzburg College this weekend on Bowden’s Field, in their final cricket fixture for 2023.

In a losing cause last weekend, opening batsman Bhasker Sewlal stood tall while, all around him, the remainder of the line-up struggled to find their rhythm. He led the way with a steady 82 runs, keeping the Michaelhouse bowling attack at bay for 125 deliveries.  

Maritzburg College head into the game on a high, fresh off a convincing 10-wicket win over Glenwood on Goldstone’s last weekend The College bowlers clamped down on the visitors, limiting them to a measly 108 runs, with Chad Mason being their standout performer, snaring 3/17 in 8.5 overs.  

In the batting department, the opening pair for Maritzburg are definitely two players to keep an eye on. Throughout the season, Liam Armstrong and Caleb Thomas have excelled up front, recording a number of hundred-run partnerships while adopting an aggressive approach towards the bowlers. They’ve dovetailed nicely.

Thomas was selected for the KwaZulu-Natal Inland u19 team, which will be taking part in the Khaya Majola Week in December, along with all-rounder and College captain Bryn Brokensha.

A fortnight ago, Westville steamrolled Glenwood after bowling out the Green Machine for 78. Sean McGough was the destroyer-in-chief, capturing 4/20. 

The Griffins’ Max Robertson has enjoyed a stellar season for the 1st XI and was included in the KwaZulu-Natal u17 side, along with his captain Nicandro Kistna and the all-rounder Kaeden McAllister. Robertson will be eager to tap into the aggressive and consistent batting form that he has shown all season.

Westville go into the fixture without their matric pupils, who have turned their focus to their final exams, but they have the quality and depth to cause College problems. 

It’s a last opportunity for some of the players to do duty for their 1st teams this season and, based on an exciting encounter in the 1st term, which Westville edged by 15 runs, another intriguing contest awaits.  

Remember to submit your nominations for SuperSport Schools’ “The Class of ’23”. We invite you to be a part of this journey by nominating unforgettable moments, outstanding athletes, and inspiring coaches.

Your participation will help us recognise and showcase the true stars and stories of 2023. Submit your nominations on the following link – https://bit.ly/SSClassof2023.

Fixtures

Westville Boys’ High School vs Maritzburg College

1st XI – 9:00 am – Bowden’s 

2nd XI – 9:00 am – Goldstone’s 

u15A – 9:00 am – Commons 1

u14A – 9:00 am – Commons 2

Saturday will see a repeat of the 2019 Fain Noorvaal final, with Waterkloof taking on a strong Marais Viljoen side. Four years ago, it was very tight, with Klofies scraping a narrow two-wicket victory.

Waterkloof will be the favourites to defend their title, with the Alberton boys seeking to play spoiler on St Alban’s TC Mitchell Oval.

The Klofies have been the most successful team in the competition over the last ten years. Two of those years were lost to Covid-19, but Waterkloof made the final in seven of the eight remaining years, losing only to Garsfontein in the 2018 final.

It has been a special year for the Klofies, who made history by becoming the first team to go back-to-back as champions of the prestigious Westvaal North-South T20 tournament. In another first, they followed that up with a third Titans A-League title in succession.

Much of their success has been based off of a formidable top of the batting order, led by Wian Ruthven, Marcus Bakker, Divan Behrens and captain, Beukes van den Berg. Ruthven and Bakker have been especially destructive and very effective in getting the Pretoria side off to dominating starts.

The Waterkloof bowling attack, spearhead by Jacques van Niekerk, who has taken six wickets in the Noorvaal playoffs, has delivered, too, with Franco Cronje proving especially effective during the middle overs.

Marais Viljoen’s captain and SA u19 representative, Dewan Marais, leads from the front with both bat and ball. He heads into the final fresh off of a match-winning 47 against Potchefstroom Gimnasium in last week’s semi-final.

Their opening batting pair of Sheldon van Wyk and Tristan van Schalkwyk has also been in fine form, and they will look to take the attack to the Klofies’ bowlers.

Marais Viljoen might also be the only team in the competition with the bowling depth to be able to put Waterkloof under consistent pressure. Their new ball pairing of Juan Steyn and Tiaan Kuhn has been instrumental in the side’s success. If they can strike early, they’ll open up the way for Declan Botes to put pressure on Waterkloof’s less experienced middle order.

Saturday is an opportunity for Marais Viljoen to rewrite the history books, while for Waterkloof it’s a further chance to enhance their overwhelming domination of the Noordvaal competition.

The under-15 final will be decided between Garsfontein’s young Ysbere and Hoërskool Rustenburg, with their title-decider also taking place at St Alban’s College.

First XI teams 

Waterkloof vs Marais Viljoen at 09:30 at TC Mitchell Oval, St Alban’s: 

Waterkloof 1st XI: Beukes van den Berg (Captain), Wian Ruthven, Marcus Bakker, Divan Behrens, Jayden Blom, Alexander Volschenk, Franco Cronje, Jacques van Niekerk, Riley Miller, Ruan van der Vyver, Hernus Marais.

Marais Viljoen 1st XI: Dewan Marais (Captain), Sheldon van Wyk, Tristan van Schalkwyk, Aldre Huyzers, Tian du Toit, Jaden Govender, Caiden Ramage, Declan Botes, Nathan Coleske, Conner Meistre, Juan Steyn, Tiaan Kuhn, Tristan van Schalwyk.

Die Hoërskool Marais Viljoen is vanjaar bobaas by die Heidelberg Volkskool-been van die Darryl Weir o.17 sewestoernooi.

Hulle sluit die naweek onoorwonne af en kwalifiseer dan ook vir die Kampioenskap Toernooi in Bloemfontein in Oktober.

Vang al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – Registreer nou – Skakel na toernooi

Die kampioene moes sweet vir hul oorwinning teen ‘n onvermoeide span van Die Anker in die eindstryd.

Teen halftyd was die twee spanne nog vas op 5-elk, en die tweede helfte was net so taai, tot ‘n drie teen die loop van spel in die doodsnikke van die wedstryd vir Marais Viljoen ‘n 19-12 sege kon besorg.

Met speeltyd iets van die verlede was Die Anker op die voorvoet in Marais Viljoen se gevaargebied, maar ‘n hanteringsfout het die besit terug gegee aan Marais Viljoen en sy spoedvraat, Brandon Els, kon die verdedigers in sy stof laat en van sy eie 22m-lyn af nael om die wendrie onder die pale te druk.

Die Anker het goed gedoen om te herstel na ‘n 12-5 nederlaag teen Oosterlig vroeër die naweek om hul plek in die eindstryd te verdien.

Die Brakpanners se eerstespan beweeg volgende jaar na die Skild-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal reeks a hul vertoning in die Bowl-afdeling hierdie jaar.

Marais Viljoen kompeteer in die Beker-afdeling, so die manne van Die Anker sal trots wees op hul vertoning oor die naweek ondanks die feit dat hulle nie die trofee saam kon terug bring nie.

Montana is die Plaat-afdeling kampioene na ‘n 19-10 oorwinning teen Brandwag en Trinity House het die gasheerskool se tweedespan met 19-14 in die Bowl eindstryd verslaan.

Birchleigh het hul beste vertoning van die naweek gelos vir die laaste wedstryd om die Skild met ‘n 33-5 sege oor Belvedere te verower.

Al die uitslae:

Groep A: Marais Viljoen 14, Brandwag 10; Marais Viljoen 42, Trinity House 7; Brandwag 32, Trinity House 7.

Groep B: Kempton Park 41, Birchleigh 0; Hugenote 33, Kempton Park 0; Hugenote 26, Birchleigh 0.

Groep C: Oosterlig 45, Belvedere 0; Die Anker 36, Belvedere 0; Oosterlig 12, Die Anker 5.

Groep D: Heidelberg Volkskool 17, Heidelberg Volkskool II 0; Montana 24, Heidelberg Volkskool 17; Montana 28, Heidelberg Volkskool II 7.

Kwarteindronde:

Beker: Marais Viljoen 33, Kempton Park 7; Heidelberg Volkskool 26, Oosterlig 12; Hugenote 21, Brandwag 12; Die Anker 17, Montana 7.

Halfeindrondte:

Beker: Marais Viljoen 14, Hugenote 7; Die Anker 17, Heidelberg Volkskool 12.

Plaat: Brandwag 24, Kempton Park 14; Montana 21, Oosterlig 19.

Bowl: Heidelberg Volkskool II 41, Belvedere 0; Trinity House 17, Birchleigh 0.

Eindstryd:

Beker: Marais Viljoen 19, Die Anker 12; (Derde plek) Hugenote 12, Heidelberg Volkskool 10.

Plaat: Montana 19, Brandwag 10.

Bowl: Trinity House 19, Heidelberg Volkskool II 14.

Skild: Birchleigh 33, Belvedere 5.

Combinations and familiarity go a long way in team sports, so the inclusion of four girls from Durban Girls’ College (DGC) in the South African under-17 hockey squad to contest the second edition of the Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia, from 18 to 26 November, should help the team to gel quickly.

The tournament is named after former Malaysian star Dato Mirnawan, who played in three Olympic Games for his country, and who now serves as the national men’s hockey team’s manager.

Two of those DGC players – Emily Macquet and Tara Pakendorf (who played together at Chelsea Preparatory School) – were also named in the SA under-18 A squad following the Inter-provincial Tournament (IPT) in Bloemfontein during the mid-year holidays.

Mmamorena Manthata of Cornwall Hill College and Georgia Pollock, from St Mary’s DSG, were included in the under-18A line-up, too. Pollock is the daughter of Proteas’ legend, Shaun Pollock.

She’s joined in the u17 squad by her schoolmate Cassandra Forbes, while the two additional DGC players are Caprice Bengston and Ruby Kraus.

While KZN Coastal has six representatives in the national squad, there’s another one from the province in the form of KZN Inland’s Thabelani Metu. The remainder of the 18-player squad is evenly spread among six other provincial teams.

Jehan Abrahams and Leah Petersen fly the Western Province flag, while their next-door neighbours, Boland, have Logan Marthinus and Tanya Pieterse in the squad.

Southern Gauteng has a trio of players in the line-up, including sharp-shooter Amber Fairon, Ifeoma Ndubueze and Hannah Quinton.

Their neighbours, Northerns, supply Luane Janssen and Mmamorena Manthata, while goalkeeper Matheo Manzi is from Mpumalanga, and Akhile Mdlalane from Border.

The South African under-17 boys’ team will also be competing in the Mirnawan Cup.

The girls’ squad will be managed by Sheridan Duncombe. Waterkloof’s Omari Pienaar Geyer is the head coach, and her assistant coach is Ilse Davids, who earned 183 caps for the national women’s team before retiring from the international game in 2018. Lisa Bone is the team’s physio.

SA u17 Girls’ Team

Jehan Abrahams (Wynberg Girls’ High, Western Province), Caprice Bengston (Durban Girls’ College, KZN Coastal), Amber Fairon (Dainfern College, Southern Gauteng), Cassandra Forbes (St Mary’s DSG, KZN Coastal), Luane Janssen (Hoërskool Waterkloof, Northerns), Ruby Kraus (Durban Girls’ College, KZN Coastal), Mmamorena Manthata (Cornwall Hill College, Northerns), Motheo Manzi (Hoërskool Middelburg, Mpumalanga), Emily Macquet (Durban Girls’ College, KZN Coastal), Logan Marthinus (Bloemhof, Boland), Akhile Mdlalane (Cambridge High, Border), Thabelani Metu (Lilyfontein High), Ifeoma Ndubueze (Northcliff High, Southern Gauteng), Tara Pakendorf (Durban Girls’ College, KZN Coastal), Leah Petersen (Stellenberg, Western Province), Tanya Pieterse (Paarl Gimnasium, Boland), Georgia Pollock (St Mary’s DSG, KZN Coastal), Hannah Quinton (Monument, Southern Gauteng)

KwaZulu-Natal powerhouses, Michaelhouse and Hilton College, lock horns in a full water polo derby in the Midlands this weekend.

The fixture will also see the boys play for a much greater cause, as it forms part of the annual PinkDrive campaign that the two rivals share, which seeks to shine a light and raise awareness about cancer-related issues.

The day will be saturated with action across the school’s three pools, with the junior sides set to kick off proceedings early in the Old Boys’ Pool, before the third, and fourth teams battle it out in the Railway Pool.

The A teams and the first and second teams will play at the Full Pool, with the final match scheduled for 12:15.

Looking back on their season, the hosts have had a rather challenging period in the water, coming short several times despite showing clear signs of improvement in recent weeks.

In the KZN Top 10 Tournament, the boys from Balgowan finished in seventh spot, defeating Maritzburg College (7-6) on the last day.

During the earlier Clifton Water Polo Tournament, they were underdone in their preparations, and, thus, struggled against quality opposition. They finished third in their group and missed out on a quarterfinal spot.

Hilton will go into the match high in confidence after putting together a series of impressive performances this season.

They finished fourth in both the SACS and Clifton Water Polo tournaments, and they also came close to clinching the silverware at the KZN Top 10 Tournament, losing the final 5-8 to Clifton College, the same team that had beaten them in the playoffs for third in the two aforementioned tournaments.

Hilton heads into the match having two recent wins over Michaelhouse to their credit, including a 9-6 victory over their great rivals in the 9th place playoff at the St Stithians Water Polo Invitational at the end of October.

The Teams

Hilton College

Trent Chubb, Hanu Pieterse, Matthew Thomas, Thomas Taylor, Tristan Uys, Retief Malherbe, Oliver Mattison, Meyer Malherbe, Mitchel Garreau, Nic Bregman-Frangos

Michaelhouse

Elliott Springate, Bryn Retzlaff, Reilly Elliott, Oliver Guy, Keegan Elliot, Alex Jankowitz, Luke Davidson, Reece Rezac, Nicholas Smithers

Fixtures

Old Boys Pool

08:00 – Michaelhouse u14B vs Hilton College u14B
08:45 – Michaelhouse u15B vs Hilton College u15B

Railway Pool

08:00 – Michaelhouse 3^rd vs Hilton College 3^rd
08:45- Michaelhouse 4^th vs Hilton College 4^th

Full Pool

09:45 – Michaelhouse u14A vs Hilton College u14A
10:30 – Michaelhouse u15A vs Hilton College u15A
11:15 – Michaelhouse 2^nd vs Hilton College 2^nd
12:15 – Michaelhouse 1^st vs Hilton College 1^st

Since its introduction in 2004, the Clinix Stix Morewa Soccer Challenge has produced a number of players who have become household names in South African football. Prominent among them is Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane.

After becoming a standout player in the national team, Jane played club football Down Under before making a move to Italy’s AC Milan. She remains in Italian football but has since transferred to Sassuolo.

One of the top men’s players to have graced the event is Sibusiso Vilikazi. The midfielder has turned out for Premier Soccer League clubs Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns and now TS Galaxy, and has 36 caps for Bafana Bafana to his name.

When it was established, the tournament’s key objective was to unearth new talent by creating a platform for players to showcase their skills.

Over the years, the Clinix Stix Morewa Soccer Challenge has delivered on that objective by drawing more than 1 200 teams from around Soweto to participate in the competition.

As the tournament developed, additional categories were added. Now, they include the under-11, under-13, under-15, under-17, women’s and men’s categories.

In 2020 and 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament was put on hold, but it is now going strong in its 17^th year.

“Women’s football is on the rise worldwide. South Africa is slowly catching up, but the good thing is we are doing something about it. We have the Sasol League and the Hollywoodbets Super League. We’re better off than most countries,” Banyana Banyana assistant coach Simphiwe Dludlu commented at the recent launch of the 2023 tournament, held at the Clinix Health Group offices in Johannesburg.

Evidence of the healthy state of the women’s game lies in the national team being crowned the champions of Africa for the first time in 2022, and in Banyana Banyana reaching the last 16 of the World Cup earlier this year.

The finals for the 2023 edition of the Clinic Stix Morewa Soccer Challenge take place on Sunday, 26 November, at Shapa Soweto (formerly known as Nike Centre). Entry is free.

Finals’ Programme

–              09h00: U11
–              09h00: U13
–              10h00: U15
–              11h00: U17
–              12h00: Women’s Final
–              13h30: U9
–              14h00: Men’s Final

Among the teams that have qualified for the finals are:

Women’s Teams

1. Diepkloof Ladies F.C.
2. Soweto Ladies F.C.
3. Mighty Ladies F.C.
4. University of JHB Ladies F.C.
5. Ekasi Mighty Eagles Academy
6. Professor Ladies F.C.
7. Tsa Maseru Ladies F.C
8. Community Ladies Development F.C

Men’s Teams

1. Mofolo Liverpool F.C.
2. Mofolo United Callies F.C.
3. Peace Makers F.C
4. Junior Bucks F.C.
5. Mapetla Barcelona F.C.
6. Ndofaya Stars F.C.
7. Premier Impala F.C.
8. Ama Unity F.C.

Following the round of 32 of the Gauteng Development League Youth Cup last weekend, the competition sees Gauteng’s best clashing again this weekend for a place in the last 16.

The Soweto Giants, Kaizer Chiefs, progressed to the next round with victories over the Vaal Elite Soccer Academy across the four age-group divisions (u13, u15, u17 and u19). It was not a surprise as Chiefs have enjoyed a successful year, winning the Gauteng Development League u13 division while finishing second and third respectively in the u17 and u19 divisions.

With a quarterfinal spot on the line, Chiefs tackle a red-hot Rosina Sedibane outfit, whose u13, u15, and u17 sides demolished the Young Boys Football Club this past weekend.

Despite those defeats, the Young Boys’ u19s fought long and hard against a vastly experienced Rosina Sedibane u19 team and eventually claimed a 2-1 win to reach the last 16.

Young Boys are away at the Kaizer Chiefs Village this weekend, where they’re sure to be put through the ringer by a team deeply motivated to bring home some silverware this season after missing out on the Gauteng Development League honours, which went to Highlands Park.

Highlands Park’s Championship status carries little to no weight in the new Youth Cup competition with its knockout format. The title-winning season has, however, certainly infused the Balfour Park-based club with some extra energy and confidence as they set their sights on making it a double by winning both the Gauteng Development League and the Youth Cup.

There were no surprises as the u15, u17 and u19 teams Highlands Park moved past Platinum Stars this past weekend with relative ease.

Other u19 teams competing in the Last 16 this weekend:
– North West University
– School of Excellence
– Mamelodi Sundowns
– Panorama FC
– TS Galaxy
– TUKS
– Siluma 7
– Remember Elite Sports Academy
– Kathorus Hyper Academy
– East Rand
– Joburg City
– Alaska U19

On his family’s farm, in a cricket net, is where it all started for the talented Hilton College all-rounder Ross Boast.

His cricketing journey began with tense backyard matches against his older brother Matthew Boast, who currently opens the bowling for the Pretoria-based Multiply Titans.

Ross’s love for the game grew from listening to stories about his great-uncle Vincent van der Bijl, who was one of South Africa’s best seam bowlers in the ’70s and early ’80s.

“Big Vince”, all six-foot-eight of him, claimed 899 wickets, first class and list A, in a 16-year career at Natal and Transvaal respectively, as well as during an off-season stint in the UK playing for Middlesex, so it’s easy to see why he became the reason that a young Ross Boast fell in love with the game.

This planted the seed of a dream to play for South Africa one day and to apply his trade within the domestic structures of the country.

Hilton College’s impact

Boast is currently the captain of the Hilton College 1st XI, an all-rounder with match-winning ability with both bat and ball.

He attributes his success to the professional coaching staff he’s worked with since he made his first appearance in the Hilton kit. “Hilton has allowed me to grow as a cricketer and as a person, thanks to its amazing coaching staff who’ve guided me along the many ups and downs over the last five years,” Boast said.

When asked which of the three formats at high school level he favours, he had an interesting response, saying that he prefers the longest format, time cricket, as he feels it intensifies the battle between bat and ball.

He added, however, that the shorter formats of 50-over cricket and T20s suit his playing style, too, because he likes to play an aggressive brand of cricket.

Biggest inspiration

Furthermore, there was no doubt in his mind that his brother has had the biggest influence on his cricketing career so far.

“My brother, Matthew, has played a massive role in pushing me towards becoming the best player that I can be. We have a great relationship, and we have some huge aspirations for the future,” Ross said.

Reflecting on the memories he’s made on the cricket field during his five years at Hilton, Boast fondly recalls the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Weeks, which bring many of the country’s top cricket-playing schools together to face one other in the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands.

One match that really stands out to him was played at this year’s event, when he produced a man-of-the-match performance against King Edward VII School on the Hart-Davis Oval.

Boast top scored with the bat, contributing 69 from 83 deliveries. He then spearheaded the Hilton bowling attack, capturing a superb five for 33 during his nine-over spell to lead his side to a convincing 129-run victory.

The future

Looking to the future, after the coming weekend’s PinkDrive game against Michaelhouse, Boast’s attention will shift to the annual Khaya Majola Week, which takes place in Makhanda in December.

He’s hoping to stack up the wickets and pile on the runs in the hope of securing himself a spot among the top cricketers in the country next year.

He’s humble and down-to-earth, but the immense talent, along with excellent leadership capabilities, is undeniable. With hard work, Ross Boast is hoping those qualities will allow him to go all the way and realise his goal of playing at the highest level in the green and gold.