One of the most memorable moments in the history of South African sport came when the SABC interviewer famously asked Francois Pienaar after the Springbok victory in the final of the Rugby World Cup on 24th June 1995: “What does it feel like to have 62 000 fans cheering for you in the stadium?”
Pienaar, the Bok-skipper replied: “David, we didn’t have 62 000 fans, we had 43 million South Africans (supporting us).”
 
When Sonwadile Bidla and his South African team depart for India on Friday evening (27th January) and embark on the epic quest to win the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup, they will have the support of more than 52 million South Africans cheering for them.
 
The blind South African team has done what no other senior cricket team has achieved before or after them. They won a 40 over Cricket World Cup for blind persons in 1998 and also reached the final in 2002.
 
Western Province is very well represented in the squad. Six members of the young, exuberant and very dynamic blind team are also members of the Province squad.
 
Philip Bam, manager of the national team, says South Africa is not in the top tier and not one of the favourites, but is sixth ranked amongst the top ten.
 
“Yet, we are confident of victory. We have worked hard over two seasons and we boast some great talent. We have won the 40 over event before and the team has a very competitive spirit,” Bam added.
 
There are some world-class performers in this team. Johan Schroder of Northerns, totally blind, struck a century in a T20 Cricket World Cup in India on a previous occasion. He is also a very useful spinner.
 
Kenneth Mabela is a middle-order batsman who can damage bowling figures and reputations.
 
Bam also mentions the fast bowlers Israel Hatttingh and Lesiba Mathapo who will spearhead the attack as potential match winners.
 
Armand Bam, president of Blind Cricket South Africa, said South Africa has been training the last two seasons to reach the top of the game and the team feels confident that they can lift the cup.
 
A hallmark of the team is the many youthful faces and their confidence and positivity, he said.
 
The team will kick-off their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh in Delhi on 2nd February, will clash with Australia on 3rd February at the same venue and will take on England’s best on the 4th February.
 
The final will be contested at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on the 12th February.
 
“Our best wishes accompany the blind South African cricket team for the global event. We are extremely proud that Western Province is so well represented and that the bulk of the team comes from this region, which is a testimony to the unwavering commitment of the Blind Western Province committee.
 
“But right now, the focus is on the national team and on them repeating history by emulating the feats of their predecessors of 1998,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA).
 
“Amateur cricket is the lifeblood of any franchise.  Our Western Province women’s team has been a conveyor belt of note for the national team, and the blind Western Province team is also a nursery for the national team.  It is exciting to see a team full of youthful achievers who will travel to India. We trust they can bring back the spoils and make South Africa proud,” said Beresford Williams, president of the WPCA.

Arguably one of the five greatest fielders in South African cricket over the past ten years and one of the most underrated middle-order domestic batsmen, SA Engelbrecht, has announced his retirement from first-class cricket.

The 28-year old athlete, a graduate in financial management as well as in advanced project management, will join a financial consultancy, Fairtree Capital, as an asset manager in January 2017.

His match for Western Province against North West this weekend will be his last at his beloved PPC Newlands.
Engelbrecht gave his thousands of fans multiple reasons to celebrate during his impressive career.

Arguably one of the greatest catches treasured on YouTube was one during the ICC World U19-tournament in Malaysia in 2008 when he leaped into the air and grasped a catch which made him an instant celebrity around the world as arguably the best acrobatic fielder since Jonty Rhodes.

But Engelbrecht was much more than a superb fielder. 

He smashed 56 in February 2014 when his more accomplished senior Cape Cobras’ colleagues faltered in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge final against the Dolphins, underlining his ability to handle pressurized moments with aplomb.

His bowling during the Champions League T20 in India in September and October was a revelation.

Summoned as replacement for the injured JP Duminy, Engelbrecht single-handedly won a game during the super eliminator against the Barbados Tridents and also captured 2-24 in his allotted four overs.

His best return during the tournament was 3-20 and he finished with six wickets. The off-spinner was comfortably the Cobras’ best bowler.

In the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, the Cobras coasted to a 33-run win in the final in December. Engelbrecht was not selected for that match, as some of the international players returned to the Cobras-fray.

Yet, he was a stalwart in the league-phase, taking 10 wickets in eight matches with his 4-22 against the Warriors a stand-out moment.

The all-rounder underlined his credentials with the bat in the Momentum One Day Cup campaign, averaging 37.50 and taking seven wickets in the series.

A match-winner with both bat and ball, his greatest moment in that campaign arrived at Paarl where the bizhub Highveld Lions looked poised to chase down the 324 smashed by the Cobras. 

Engelbrecht trapped Neil McKenzie and Jean Symes in front in quick succession and the Cobras fans celebrated with “happy days are here again”. Indeed. The Cobras won by 53 runs.

“I would like to be remembered as somebody who played the game hard yet honestly and selflessly put the team’s interest above my own. The past few seasons have produced arguably some of my best performances,” he said.

January 2015 was a case in point, as Dane Vilas and Engelbrecht scored 84 and 72 respectively to take the Cape Cobras to the brink, but the team just lost their shape at the moment critique and lost by 16 runs against the Warriors at St. George’s Park on a tricky wicket.

In the 2015/2016-season, Engelbrecht was enterprise personified, assembling 567 runs in the Three-day Sunfoil Series at an average of 51.54. He contributed an unbeaten 162 as Western Province reached the three-day final.

“One of the greatest assets of the current Western Province squad is that they have so many experienced players who know their own games inside out, and a number of young, emerging players with such talent. We play with a smile on our faces, and we are positive,” he said.

“When I speak about talented, young players, Pieter Malan, Shaheen Khan and Matthew Kleinveldt are some of the stars I would mention as they might still have six years left in them. There are also emerging stars like Dayyaan Galiem and Kyle Verreynne that spring to mind,” he added.

Engelbrecht said the choice to leave cricket is not an easy one, yet he has to consider his long-term future.  “The selectors have not picked me once this season, so I had to think about my career.

“I enrolled and completed a career in financial management as well as in advanced project management, both at the University of Cape Town and it was always my plan to join the financial sector after my career,” he added.

“I have been blessed to play in a couple of finals at PPC Newlands, which will always be amongst my most treasured moments,” Engelbrecht remarked.

He finished his career with an impressive 2901 first-class runs at an average of 38.68. in List A-cricket, Engelbrecht has been particularly superb, averaging 45.53 and also capturing 41 wickets at an average of 40.17.
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And don’t forget those catches which have scored thousands upon thousands of hits on the internet. Those game-changing moments in mid-air contributed richly to the Cape Cobras’ status as one of the domestic powerhouses in South African cricket the past ten years.

Northern Cape might have thought they have scored a moral victory against Western Province in the Three-day Sunfoil Series as the hosts were in a spot of bother on 198 for six in their second innings while chasing 322 on Saturday.

The visitors also won the CSA One-Day Cup Provincial match against Western Province by 37 runs on Sunday thanks to Letlotlo Sesele’s superb 94.

Yet, the positive mind-set displayed by Western Province, and their fearless, adventurous pursuit of a three-day win when they could have settled for a stalemate in the first innings, deserves enormous credit.

Kyle Verreynne hammered 107 in the first innings, while Derek Mitchell contributed 57 as the hosts reached 295 for five in pursuit of 370.

Instead of trying to attain a first-innings lead, Province threw down the gauntlet and basically invited Northern Cape to set them a target.  The explosive approach is indicative of Faiek Davids’ impact. They pursue wins, instead of ensuring that they don’t lose.

The visitors responded by scoring 246 for two.

Province reached 198 for six as the match fizzled out in a draw. The most satisfying part of the second innings was an unbeaten 65 by Zubayr Hamza. Mitchell scored 35.

“Province won their first three Sunfoil Three-Day Cup matches in handsome fashion and again impressed with their positive mind-set in this game against a very strong Northern Cape side.

“The remarkable aspect of this team is that they have been the nursery to the Cape Cobras during the past fortnight, yet, despite losing some stalwarts to the Buildnat Cape Cobras, they have continued to defy the odds and have won games or have challenged heavyweights,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Western Province Cricket Association.

“The loss in the one-day provincial challenge is a pity, but it is no train smash. With this style of play, Western Province will win many friends, overwhelm opponents and grow the reserve-strength of the franchise. The performances in the Three-Day Cup have shown that the team has evolved from their campaign last season when they reached the final,” Dien added.

Western Province continued their relentless pursuit of silver ware by coasting to a win by an innings and 33 runs against Boland in the Sunfoil Three-Day Cup series on Saturday.

It was their third successive win and although coach Faiek Davids would describe it as the consummate team effort characterized by cohesion and many contributions, you have to highlight the excellence of Pieter Malan and Richard Levi.

Malan continued his barn-storming batting performances by blasting 204, facing 391 balls and hitting 19 fours and two sixes. He featured in a 243-run partnership for the second wicket with Levi.

Levi struck 144 of 184 balls. It was typical vintage Levi, who slammed 16 fours and five six as Western Province reached 472 to establish a healthy 190-run first-innings lead.

The left-arm swing bowler Beuran Hendricks took 3-47 in the first innings and 2-13 in the second innings, while Matthew Kleinveldt finished with 3-65 in the second innings and GF Linde took 3-23 in 19 overs of sustained pressure as Boland was dismissed for 157 in their second innings.

Malan has scored 489 runs at an average of 244.50 this season, and his claims for inclusion in the Buildnat Cape Cobras’ team can no longer be dismissed without prolonged thought.

Linde has taken 13 wickets at an average of 14.69. Dayyaan Gaiem has removed 11 batsmen at an average of 16.63.
Boland won the CSA one-day provincial challenge against Western Province by four wickets on Sunday thanks to an unbeaten 115 by Keegan Petersen.

SA Engelbrecht struck 76 off 74 balls and Dayyaan Galiem contributed 65 while taking 3-49, but the 274/6 compiled by the visitors at Boland Park, was chased down by Petersen and Niel Botha (45), as the hosts won with two balls to spare.

“The performance by Western Province in the three-day Sunfoil Series Cup is enchanting, mesmerizing and just so fulfilling as they defeat all-comers and there are so many players who contribute,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Western Province Cricket Assocation.
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“Although there are obvious stars, it is the way in which they pull together as a team and rally when the odds are against them, that is most impressive,” added Dien.

It was a stylish, elegant and brutal knock. It was the type of batting performance that transforms a game within the blink of an eyelid.  And in the case of Wynberg Boys’ High School, that century off 49 balls by the u.14-captain, Zayd Noor, did exactly that.
 
His father, Faizal, was one of the spectators at Stellenberg High School privileged enough to witness Noor (jr) hammer eight fours and eight sixes.
 
“His innings gave me enormous satisfaction because he found or cleared the boundaries with hooks, pulls and straight drives,” said Noor (sr).
 
Shaun Hewitt, the u.14-coach, said Noor (jr) is a stylish and elegant player and when Wynberg romped to a 280-run win against Stellenberg, some of his shots cleared the boundaries by metres.
 
He completed his century with one of those monstrous hits.
 
Hewitt says Noord (jr) is undoubtedly a very talented player. He is not a bad off-spinner either, and a very good rugby player, who represents the u.14 A-team at flyhalf.
 
The one small challenge that Noor has to overcome is to become even more consistent. “He scores very elegant and stylish 20’s and 30’s, and I would like him to capitalize on them,” he added.
 
Wynberg has been a prolific nursery of superb players, like Allan Lamb, Garth le Roux, Jacques Kallis, Richard Levi, Charl Willoughby and lately, Jason Smith, who looks destined for bigger things.
 
The school as a tradition that Noor would like to become part of – every member of a first team who smashes a ton, has the honour bestowed on him to plant a tree at the Jacques Kallis Oval.
 
Noor (jr) is still a work in progress, but judging on the performance against Stellenberg, he is evolving in stylish fashion.
 
Hewitt says the wins against Bishops on Tuesday and the Newlands Cricket High School on Wednesday were rewarding.
 
Two big games – against Rondebosch Boys High and SACS – are on the calendar during the next week.
 
A Noor at his breathtaking best could just account for both these traditional foes if he converts double figures into tons.
 
“A great future beckons for Zayd, as he possesses so much talent and a vast array of attacking strokes,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Western Provincie Cricket Association.

Two entertaining all-round performances, another reminder of Pieter Malan’s promise at the top of the order, a fine effort by Thokozani Peter in the second innings and a highly satisfactory captain’s knock by SA Engelbrecht were the ingredients of Western Province’s 96-run win in a first-class clash against the South Western Districts at the Recreational Ground in Oudtshoorn during the weekend.

Province has kicked off their campaign in fine style with two wins the Sunfoil Three-Day Cup. The KC Sunshine Band would have approved with their song: “That’s the way I like it,” if they were Western Province-fans.

Dayyaan Galiem underlined his talent with a knock of 55 in the first innings and 5-60 as opening bowler in the second.
Much has been made of his talent since he played for Rondebosch Boys High’s first team at a tender age and also represented the South African u.19-team. He is a fast bowler who can swing it at a pace of beyond 135 km/h and can be destructive with the bat.

His performance in Oudtshoorn is a step in the right direction.

The 24-year old left-arm spinner GF Linde produced a masterpiece in the first innings, capturing 5-10 as the hosts were bundled out for a paltry 128. It was Linde who first gained prominence two seasons ago when he took 14 wickets for the Cape Cobras in their triumphant Ram Slam T20 Challenge.

Linde is steadily improving.

Linde also struck 52 in the second innings for Province as they managed 155.

Malan assembled 55 in the first innings, while Engelbrecht, who was such a star with the bat at the back-end of the 2015/2016-season in the Sunfoil Three-Day Cup, struck 98.

Peter finished the game off with 3-14 and Province celebrated.

In the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge in Pool A at the same Recreational Ground on Sunday, Western Province capped off their successful visit to the Southern Cape with a comprehensive 8-wicket win.

The hosts struck 227 for nine. Engelbrecht ended with 3-28 as off-spinner and Galiem took 2-33.

Shaheen Khan and Engelbrecht featured in an unbeaten 157-run partnership for the third wicket as the visitors coasted to an emphatic wicket with five overs to spare.

Khan struck 79 off 97 balls with six fours and two sixes. Engelbrecht was more circumspect bot not less effective as he finished unbeaten on 73 off 102 deliveries with five boundaries.
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“It is gratifying to see how the semi-professional team has started their series with a bang instead of a stutter. They have been on song, confident and full of enterprise. I am confident that they will consistently reproduce this form to emulate their predecessors who reached the three-day finals,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA).

The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) has expressed its firm commitment to request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) via the national body, Cricket South Africa (CSA), that international fixtures like the fifth One Day International at PPC Newlands on 12th October should not be hosted on dates clashing with important dates on religious calendars.
 
“As Western Province, we are very respectful of every religious community in South Africa, and many of our passionate fans at PPC Newlands have been avid followers of the Jewish faith,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the WPCA.
 
“We are aware that Yom Kippur is the most important day on the Hebrew calendar and clashes with the fifth One Day International hosted at PPC Newlands on 12th October.
 
“We have written to CSA and have raised our concerns about hosting the match on the most important day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur (the day of atonement, which starts on 11th October and ends on the evening of 12th October),” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the WPCA.
 
“Unfortunately, as an affiliate, the international itinerary is out of our control, but we have expressed our feelings to the national body. CSA will communicate our concerns about the date to the ICC, requesting that  a possible oversight like that should not be repeated.
 
“As WPCA, we treasure the peaceful co-existence and religious harmony of Jewish South Africans, Christians, Muslims and followers of other religious convictions.
 
"We are determined to respect the sacred space of every religious community. Consequently, we have raised our concerns with the national body,” Dien added.
 
“We would like to wish our Jewish cricket fans a blessed Yom Kippur and want to ensure them that we will do everything in our power to prevent a repeat of what is occurring on 12th October,” Dien added.

The Western Province cricket family went into mourning on Tuesday when the sad news broke of the passing of a beloved humanitarian figure and one of the champions of the art of leg-spin bowling at St. Augustine Cricket Club, Clive Kolbe.

“He was a mentor figure, somebody to whom Paul Adams (a former South African left-arm wrist spinner and current Cape Cobras coach) looked up to,” Aubrey Kolbe, his brother, said.

Kolbe (72) passed away on Tuesday after suffering a series of strokes earlier in the year.

A former chairman of St. Augustine Cricket Club, he served cricket and the community for several decades.

As a leg-spinner and useful lower order batsman, he forced his way into the Western Province team (South African Cricket Board of Control) and struck a half-century while also capturing seven wickets at an average of 13.71 and a career-best at provincial level of 4-52.

“He was constantly amongst the three best players at St. Augustine Cricket Club,” Aubrey Kolbe said.

Kolbe worked in the printing industry for more than 30 years.

He endeared himself to the community with his selfless humanitarian work, and was a founder figure of the Aquarius School Feeding Scheme.

“He actually offered his services to schools as a coach, but then became aware of the fact that many people bemoaned the lack of nutrition, of bread, for children. For several years, maybe even more than a decade, he organized delivery of bread to schools on the Cape Flats. He was affectionately known as the Bread Man,” remembered George Damon, a family friend.

“Apart from being an outstanding bowler, he was the personification of love. He was a true gentleman and a gift from God,” an emotional Damon said.

“His love for cricket and for the people at St. Augustine Cricket Club was so strong that even when his movement was restricted for health reasons, people would take him to club games. He never missed one.

When Kolbe became aware of different needs in the community, like rain coats, he would organize the purchasing and delivery of those as well, Damonn add.

Kolbe’s widow, Lorna, said the funeral arrangements have not been finalized yet.

Beresford Williams, a former chairman of St. Augustine Cricket Club and present life member of the club, said that besides being an outstanding cricketer, mentor and community man, Kolbe was also a true club champion who served the game at all levels.
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“He had an astute understanding of the heartbeat of a community and what was needed to sustain families, and he not only spoke compassion; he embodied it.”

The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) mourns the passing of the 79-year old Clifford Adams, a former long-serving secretary of the South African Cricket Board of Control (SACBOC) and former coach of the Young Cavaliers who also managed the famous Cape Ramblers soccer club.

Adams passed away on Monday morning after suffering a heart attack.

Funeral arrangement is still to be finalized.

Russell Adams, his son, was manager of amateur cricket at Western Province before he moved to India where he serves in the Indian Premier League.

Brian Adams, Russell’s brother, said Adams (sr) was an all-rounder who represented St Augustine Cricket Club, Victoria and Cape Town Cricket Club.

He also played soccer for Aurora and later managed the Cape Ramblers Soccer Club.

Hermann Gibbs, well-known Cape Town-based sports journalist and former editor of the Cape Times, remembered Adams as an excellent administrator who served on the SACBOC national board of directors.

He later coached the Young Cavaliers, and several stars that represented their provinces, emerged and blossomed under the guidance of Adams.

“My son, Herschelle, played a few games for the Young Cavaliers,” he fondly remembered.

“The Ramblers Soccer Club played at the old Green Point Track and was one of those very famous clubs who attracted 20000 to 30 000 spectators who were queuing past the Somerset Hospital for these matches,” he said.

“I don’t think Clifford got the recognition he deserved as an administrator who served as secretary in cricket. He was soft-spoken, friendly, a thinker and a very astute administrator,” he said.

As a coach, he guided many young cricketers to maturity at the Young Cavaliers, who will pay testimony to his impact on their evolving careers, Gibbs said.

“We wish to express our sincere condolences to the Adams-family, to Clifford’s colleagues, players who benefited from his expertise and fellow club players who were privileged to ply their cricketing trade alongside one of the Western Cape’s most beloved sons,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the WPCA.
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“He had a long-standing involvement in cricket in the Western Province. Clifford made an invaluable contribution to the development of the game as administrator in this region and we honour his legacy. He also left his mark on other facets of the game through coaching,” said Beresford Williams, president of the Western Province Cricket Association.

The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) and St. Augustine Cricket Club yesterday expressed their sincere condolences with the family, friends and colleagues of Kenneth (Ken) Reid, who passed away at the age of 75.

“Ken had an infectious spirit and he had an enormous impact at St Augustine Cricket Club, a club known for its close bonds between players. His son, Phillip, represented St. Augustine Cricket Club and Ken headed our junior committee at the club for many years,” said George Damon, life member at St. Augustine and a close friend of Reid.

“The last couple of years, Ken worked as supervisor at the cricket club house of St. Augustine. He was a gentle, loving man who impacted many around him.”

Reid worked for Murray Stewart for many, many years after matriculating at Athlone High School, recalled Damon, whose friendship with Reid spanned more than 60 years.

Damon saluted the role of Reid and the D’ Oliveira-family in the evolution of the club.

“Basil’s father, Lulu, was the chairman of the club for many years. Basil represented the club (and England). His son Damian played for St. Augustine and last season, his son, Brett, also played under the St. Augustine banner.

“He did so well that Worcestershire would not let him go and he might end up representing England,” Damon added.
The funeral of Reid will be on Saturday 17th September at 09h30 at the All Saints Church in Plumstead.

“We mourn the passing of Ken, whose long stint at club level in different capacities contributed towards the strengthening of Western Province’s pipeline-structures,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of WPCA.

“We want to ensure the Reid-family and his friends and club members at St. Augustine of our support and prayers during this time of bereavement,” Dien added.
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“He was treasurer and manager of the club for more than two decades and was part of the life-blood of the club. He represented important values and codes that transcendent cricket and contributed to the well-being of St. Augustine Cricket Club,” said Beresford Williams, the president of WPCA