Steinhoff Maties Cricket legends such as Dewald Botha and Emile Kriek will desperately want to leave the Stellenbosch University club with the 2016 National Club Championship title in the bag.

The National Club Championships started on Friday (22 April) and the final will take place on Wednesday 27 April. This tournament will be the last for a few of the very valuable players in the club.

"The next 18 months will be a rebuilding phase seeing that many senior and experienced players are leaving the club at the end of the season. I am sure that these players would like to leave on a high note by achieving something special," said Maties coach Andrew Wylie.

He added: "We have to say thank you to Maties Sport for all the support. It really means a lot to me and the players."

The Crusaders from Natal are the current champions. Maties lost to them in the final last year. Kyle Symmonds who played for Crusaders last season is one of the key players in the Maties team this year.

Chief Director of Maties Sport, Ilhaam Groenewald wished the coach and players well for the tournament. 

"To the senior players who will be playing for Maties for the last time: Your contributions will not be forgotten. Don't go too far away and please consider a PhD.  Especially those who already did their masters!"

​Fixtures for National Club Championships: FRIDAY – Maties v Union Stars​​ (Maties lost); SATURDAY – Maties v CUT (Maties won); SUNDAY – Maties v Pukke (Maties lost); MONDAY – Maties v Cape Town CC; TUESDAY – Maties v Crusaders.