Menlopark’s Super Steve amazes with unbelievable signing at SA20 auction
Steve Stolk couldn’t ask for a better 2023 season.
The young man who hails from Hoërskool Menlopark received the amazing news that he will form part of the Pretoria Capitals squad for the much anticipated second SA20 which takes place early next year.
He has been drafted as their rookie player during the auction held in Johannesburg on Wednesday. As a new addition to the second edition of the tournament each franchise was mandated to pick a rookie for the competition.
A rookie is a player who is under-22 and have not played in the competition before. There were 80 players to pick from on the list with Stolk being picked ahead of a couple of former SA Schools’ captains and players.
What makes this even more special is that Stolk is currently in Grade 11 and will have the opportunity to showcase his immense talent alongside some of the world’s best in the shortest format at only 17 years of age.
Stolk’s talents were present from a very young age and it was evident that the hard-working all-rounder had a bright future ahead of him.
He became the joint youngest, alongside the world’s third-best ODI batsman, Rassie van der Dussen, to put on the Menlopark 1st XI kit at only 13 years old. He has also represented the Titans at the Khaya Majola Week from the tender age of 16.
In the meantime, Stolk has already stacked up close to 100 caps for the side from Pretoria’s first eleven. He kicked off his 2023 calendar year with a magnificent 144, in his first match in January, against a very good Glenwood side at the bi-annual Grey Cricket Festival in Bloemfontein.
Since then he kept on pilling up the runs, with his most recent centuries coming against, Pretoria Boys’ High and Affies in a tough Titans A-League, taking his tally to just shy of a thousand runs thus far in 2023.
He has also been pivotal with the ball in hand, showcasing his skill, swinging the ball both ways, as well as relying on remarkable variations towards the back end of the innings, which might prove crucial to his success in the up-and-coming tournament. Stolk also possesses the ability to field anywhere on the field as he’s seen as one of the best in and around Pretoria.
However, Stolk’s focus will now shift toward preparing for the up-and-coming North/South tournament taking place in October of this year.
According to his long-time coach, Arno van Wyk, Steve’s leadership skills are what stands out the most and although he has been granted this amazing opportunity, he still continues to put his school and his side first.
Van Wyk also adds that Stolk has always believed that hard work gets rewarded and continues to uphold that belief with his extremely high work rate behind the scenes with the mindset of “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
With his immense talent and continuous humility, one can’t help but wonder where this talented young all-rounder might end up.
All that’s left to say is “Remember the name, Steve Stolk”
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