Player Profile – Jorich van Schalkwyk (Affies)
The name Jorich van Schalkwyk will be etched into Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool’s (Affies) cricket history, alongside some legends, who are renowned on the world stage and who have passed through the school before him.
That’s because just a few weeks ago, the young top-order batsman thrust his name into the spotlight by breaking the Affies’ record for the highest individual score in a 50-over match.
Playing against Cornwall Hill College, he made a masterful 240 from only 152 deliveries, striking 34 fours and seven sixes.
The talented right-hander’s love for the game, especially batting, started at the age of five in the small town of Warmbaths in Limpopo. Warmbaths was also home to his idol and former Affies’ star, AB de Villiers, one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era.
At the age of 11, Van Schalkwyk got his first taste of provincial cricket, making the Limpopo u11 side. Multi-talented, like De Villiers, he also represented the province in tennis and hockey. His cricketing talent, however, stood out and he was selected for the provincial u13 side the following year. Since then, he’s grown from strength to strength.
In 2023, at the age of 17, Van Schalkwyk was chosen for the Titans‘ u19 Khaya Majola side. At the end of a successful week, he was included in the South African Schools squad. He also appeared for the Northern Champions at the Cubs Week in Stellenboch.
Assessing his successes, he said they wouldn’t have happened without the help of his coach at Affies, Pieter Cronje. “Coach Pieter Cronje has played a massive role in my cricket since I came to Affies. I owe him a lot,” Van Schalkwyk said.
His latest representative achievement is his recent selection for the SA u19 Emerging squad, which will tour Zimbabwe from 15 to 30 September in preparation for the 2026 u19 Cricket World Cup.
Van Schalkwyk, though, said tours with Affies rank highly in his estimation. “The tours, like the Michaelmas and the Cape Peninsula Festivals, are my favourites. It not only allows me to do what I love, but I get to do it with my friends. Those are the memories I’ll cherish,” he said.
He has two double-centuries to his name this year and he’s closing in on another big milestone. He’s within touching distance of surpassing the 1 000-run mark for 2024. It should arrive in his next outing given his consistency.
With bucketloads of talent, humility, a huge hunger to succeed, and high aspirations, Van Schalkwyk has the necessary character traits and talent to make his name at a higher level of cricket. Keep an eye out for him.
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