Wolvaardt, an U19 player of Western Province and a South African stalwart, was selected for the team of the tournament during the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup.
She was named as one of the openers of the global team in recognition of her 324 runs during the campaign in which the Momentum Proteas Women reached the semi-finals.
The matric learner and head girl of Parklands High School also hammered a career-high 149 for the senior Momentum Proteas women against Ireland.
Cohen’s performances, like that of Wolvaardt, is testimony to the type of players the pipeline structures of Western Province can produce.
The Cape champions were the recent recipients of the CSA Incentive Scorecard in two categories – the expert running of the Women’s Cricket program in 2015, HUBS and regional performance centres in 2016, and the WP Academy in 2017.
“There are two ways to measure the strength of age-group teams. One is if your teams feature in the final game of the tournament against the other strongest performer in all of the age group weeks.
“The previous year we had no teams competing in that final game, but we are aware of some shortfalls and have looked into it for 2017. The other objective is to see how many players progress into the South African age-group teams,” said Clinton du Preez, Cricket Services Manager of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA).
“We have also focused on our high-performance girls to ensure that we selected U13 and U16 age group girls who will contest in the regional tournaments at the end of the year,” Du Preez added.
“Two years ago, Michael was drafted into the South African U19 A team after representing the Cobras Cubs. After that, he played one semi-professional game for Western Province and produced a match-haul of 6-49 in his maiden first-class game.
“He signed a semi-professional contract and was included in the National Academy squad and the South African Invitational team to play Bangladesh,” said Du Preez about the impressive progress made by the left-arm swing bowler.
Ntini was selected for the SA U19 team while only 16 and is considered an exciting emerging all-rounder. He is arguably boasting greater talent with the blade than his famous father, Makhaya, who captured 390 test scalps as an athletic fast bowler.
Du Preez expressed his content with the selection of squads and said he is excited about the preparation for the national weeks.
The age-group teams of Western Province are:
Boys:
U13 A: Samuel Chemaly, Fayaad Daniels, Umayr Davids, Mogammad Zain Galant, Dewalt Grove, Jordan Jones, Jacques Jooste, Ross Martin, Bongile Mfunelwa, Meeka-Eel Prince, Siyabonga Venge, Liyema Waqu, Gysbert Wege;
U13 B: Abdullah Bayoumy, Christian French, Muhammad Fahad Khan, Rian Leibolt, Owethu Magazi, Lukhanyo Metu, Azhar—Husain Mukaddam, Muaath Salie, Nathier Sambo, Alex Scullard, Paul Senekal, Sibulele Sibunzana, Damian van der Walt;
U15 A: Salmaan Ajam, Kai Curran, Michael Levitt, Hlumani Msutu, Siviwe Nkonzombi. Zayd Noor, Reese Scheepers, Kutsala Shabangu, Aamir Shaik Abdul, Daniel Smith, Jared Southgate, Quinn van Oordt, Justin Wareley;
U15 B: Anda Dilima, Mogamad Taahir Fredericks; Ryno Kriel, Liam Lawrence, Mbulelo Majivolo, Darian Naidoo, Yamkele Nketle, Jörgen Pettenburger-Perwald, Tristan Perez, Abul-Qadeer Salie, Daniel Schipper, Cameron Jansen van Rensburg, Ulrich van Zyl.
U17 A: Jonathan Bird, Lehan Botha, Raees Carr, Matthew de Villiers, Gabriel Gad, Bonga Makaka, Imraan Philander, Siyabulela Plaatjie, Guy Sheena, Keane Solomons, Reece Thomas, Lwando Tywaku, Jordan Woolf;
U17 B: Naeem Adonis, Ethan Burger, Hayden Byrne, Tebogo Faas, Chase Hermanus, Brent Johnson, Thembani Ngicizela, Nazeem Noor, Siyambonga Nyawose, Isma-Eel Prince, Waseem Salie, Abubakr Samodien, Cole Walbrugh;
U19 A: Umar Anthony, Josh Breed, Justin Broad, Daniel da Costa, Grant Martin, Sisonke Mazele, Daniel Moriarty, Mihlali Mpongwana, Thando Ntini, Riaz Paleker, Kyle Pluke, Siyanda Ngxangane, Karl Vermeulen;
U19 B: Samuel Alexander, Khanya Dilima, Seth Fledermaus, Thabiso Komboro, Cedric Landers, Ryno Marais, Sibusiso Maseko, Luqmaan Meyer, Justin Pringle, Ludwig Sander, Raees Sylvester, Jean-Pierre Vorster, Gregory Willows.
Girls Invitational U13: Taryn-Lee Andries, Jemma Botha, Rifqah Dramat, Leigh Fortuin, Melnesha Franke, Jada Jacobs, Courtney Jenniker, Tabitha la Grange, Sweetie Mali, Keisha May, Initha Memke, Andrea Titus, Lihle Xatyisiwe;
Girls Invitational U16: Kelsey Adams, Christin Ellis, Rifqah Esau, Sinenjabulo Gogwana, Malikah Hamza, Hannah Hanekom; Aqeelah Johaadien; Bukho Lurayi, Siphosethu Ncendani, Kristin Petersen, Kayla Reineke, Katie Seager, Susannah Whall.
Girls U19: Leanne Eksteen, Anri Grobbelaar, Sithandisiwe Jijingubo, Leah Jones, Anja la Grange, Siyasanga Makopo, Nadia Mbokotwana, Saarah Smith, Christine Tomlinson, Alida van der Merwe, Nosipho Vezi, Casey Williams, Laura Wolvaardt.