Battle of the batsmen awaits André van der Walt Oval
A battle of the batsmen awaits Hoërskool Waterkloof’s home field, the André van der Walt Oval, when the Klofies face their old rivals, Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool, in a massive Titans League showdown on Saturday.
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Both sides have shown that they possess deep batting lineups, which suggests their match will be a high-scoring affair on the batting-friendly wicket.
Affies’ Jorich van Schalkwyk will be itching to pass the 1 000-run mark this year. He has 943 to his name already at an average of 67.36.
His tally includes two double-centuries, three centuries, and a fifty, which reflects well on his ability to turn starts into substantial scores.
Captain Divan de Villiers, Vihan Pretorius, and Ruben Groenewald, an unsung hero, further bolster the visitor’s lineup. Groenewald, batting lower down the order, has been in immaculate form, scoring 489 runs at a very useful average of 40.75.
Waterkloof, on the other hand, possesses the striking power of opening batsman Wian Ruthven, who has been at the forefront of their success this year. He’s scored 832 runs at an average of 52.
The Klofies have other regular run scorers in their ranks, including their captain and wicketkeeper, Beukes van den Berg, and Ruthven’s opening partner, Divan Behrens. He, too, has been exceptional this season, scoring 786 runs, while Van den Berg has also excelled behind the stumps, claiming 12 dismissals thus far this term, including nine catches, two run outs, and a stumping.
The left-arm offspinner, Marcus Bakker, is a dangerman for Waterkloof with 32 wickets this year. He’s also a hard-hitting batsman capable of tearing a bowling attack to shreds. Opening bowler Petrus Rautenbach leads the attack, having sent 34 batsmen packing in 2024.
The South African u19 opening pair of Steve Stolk and Lhuan-dré Pretorius will be raring to go but find themselves on opposite sides for the clash between Hoërskool Menlopark and Cornwall Hill College.
Pretorius, fresh off a well-played 91 against Affies last week, seems to be in good touch. Stolk, meanwhile, has not quite been at his destructive best, but that is likely to end soon, which will be a major warning sign for Cornwall Hill.
Hoërskool Centurion would have had some time to reflect on and analyse their performances ahead of their clash with Hoërskool Garsfontein’s Ysbere.
The Garsies have enjoyed a strong season so far, losing only by one wicket to Menlopark, whereas the Woeries are still chasing a first victory of their campaign. Centurion captain Charl Prinsloo has played some spectacular innings in 2024 and he will be aiming to set his side up for a win.
