Several Steinhoff Maties cricket players made a big impression at the recent Varsity Sports cricket tournament.

Captain Dewald Botha was included in the South African University team that will play matches against including a development team from Sri Lanka. 

Wicketkeeper Soyisile Pono and bowlers Kyle Simmonds and Brandon Glover were selected for the Future Cup team. Pono also received the award for Catch of the Tournament.

Maties came fifth in the tournament held in Potchefstroom. They finished level on points with UWC after the round robin stage, but UWC progressed to the semi-finals due to a better net run-rate. 

UWC then beat the team from the University of Johannesburg to reach the final where they met the team from UP-Tuks. Tuks successfully defended their Varsity Sports title.

"I think it was a good week. There were several challenges and the level of play was intense. We played good cricket, but we came undone in that final over against UWC. We had chances to win the game, but three sixes in the power game means 36 runs and that was our downfall," said coach Andrew Wylie.

"The victory against Tuks by nine wickets (in the round-robin stage) was definitely the highlight. They are the defending champions and two-time University World Champions too. Jean Bredenkamp's batting and the performances of several of the young players were also nice to see. "

The various first years in the team did a fine job, according to Wylie. "It was a new experience for them and I think they did well. It was good for their confidence and they learned a lot. "

Bredenkamp had the best batting average of all the batsmen in the tournament. He scored 234 runs in six games. His highest score was an unbeaten 93. Simmonds and Neil Botha were among the top 10 bowlers and Pono the leading fielder. Dewald Botha was Maties' most valuable player. Bredenkamp, ​​Simmonds and Neil Botha were all included in the Dream Team.

Maties’ focus is now moving back to the Boland League.​

Photo credit: SASPA