Four young players could shine when the YesPlay Pro20 Cup holds its first Finals Day at Newlands on Saturday.
Two semi-finals and the final will all be played on the same day. IOL Sport writer Zaahier Adams picked one young player from each of the four semi-final teams to keep an eye on.
The new competition has given the country a place to spot its next group of cricket talent, according to IOL Sport. The knockout games will now test how these players handle pressure.
The first is Warriors fast bowler Boast. He helped his team knock the Titans out of the tournament. The Titans were one of the favourites before the competition started.
Boast had a rough start in that game. He gave away 26 runs in his first over. He then gave away only seven runs in his next three overs and took three wickets. He finished with figures of 4/33.
IOL Sport said this ability to bounce back is important for a young fast bowler. In T20 cricket, one costly over can change a whole match.
The second player is batter Seletswane, a former South Africa Under-19 player. He went to St Stithians, where his school team included Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Thomas Rew and Kwena Maphaka.
Seletswane scored 72 runs off 47 balls against the Cobras at Newlands a few days before Finals Day. He hit six fours and three sixes in that innings.
The third player is Cobras opening batter Kashief Josephs, who went to Bishops. He started the tournament in the middle order. Coach Rory Kleinveldt then moved him to the top of the order because of his attacking style.
Josephs has hit two half-centuries so far. His best score was 82 off 41 balls against Boland. He followed it with 55 against the Lions.
His favourite shot is a lofted drive over extra cover. IOL Sport said fans at Newlands have compared its style to that of Herschelle Gibbs.
The fourth player is Boland batter Botha. At 25, he is the oldest of the four. The right-hander has scored 263 runs at an average of 37.57, with three half-centuries.
Boland lost last year’s final in a Super Over. Botha will want to help the Winelands team go one step further this time.
Newlands is also his new Betway SA20 home ground. MI Cape Town coach Robin Peterson bought him at the recent Season 5 auction.
Peterson will be in the opposing dugout on Saturday as part of the Warriors team, and IOL Sport said he will be watching Botha closely.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.