Switch Schools SA20 Player Profile – Daneli Boshoff (HTS Drostdy)
“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” – the American poet, Sylvia Plath.
Captain Daneli Boshoff led from the front, powering HTS Drostdy throughout the second phase of the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two competition.
She struck an explosive half-century and took 4/15 in a 37-run win over Bridgton Hub, and claimed a tidy 2/6 in a win over Stellenberg High as HTS Drostdy claimed the title of Western Cape champions.
Her leadership is a factor that numbers can’t represent. It will, however, have an impact when The Final Showdown begins in Pretoria on Wednesday, 4 March.
Boshoff has worked her way into her role as a leader and all-rounder over the course of nearly her entire life. When speaking with SuperSport Schools Plus, she reminisced about her first steps as a cricketer: “My earliest memory of cricket is playing in the backyard with my brother. Those moments made me love the sport. That passion grew even more when I started to play mini-cricket with the boys at the age of six.”
Since 2022, when she was in Grade 8, she has represented the Boland Senior Women‘s team. She’s even picked up a five-for at the senior provincial level, collecting career best figures of 5/10 versus the Eastern Province Senior Women.
HTS Drostdy Head Coach Helena du Toit spoke fondly of her experience of observing Boshoff while she, too, was playing for the Boland Senior Women’s team, and also as her coach: “I first saw Daneli play when she was still in primary school. At the time, I was also still playing, and we often practised together in the nets,” Du Toit recalled.
“Even then, she stood out to me. I was impressed not only by her natural ability but also by her understanding of the game and the confidence she showed at such a young age. It was clear early on that she had something special.”
Boshoff’s qualities have continued to blossom, Du Toit said: “During my time coaching Daneli, I have seen a lot of growth in both her cricketing skills and her leadership. Her confidence has developed the most. She has learned to trust herself and back her decisions as a captain on the field.
“She leads from the front through her performances and sets the standard for her teammates through her commitment and work ethic. Watching her grow into a calm, confident leader who takes responsibility for her team has been incredibly special to witness.”
Boshoff made the SA u19 Girls side in 2024 and has represented the Boland u19 Girls team for the past three years, but she admitted there are aspects of her game that she would like to improve: “As an all-rounder, I feel the aspect of my game that needs the most work is my consistency and confidence. I know I have the ability to contribute with both bat and ball, but I can be inconsistent at times, which affects my overall performance.
“By improving my consistency and believing more in my abilities, I want to become a stronger and more reliable player who can benefit the team in both areas of the game.”
Coach Du Toit said her captain is a leader not only on the field, but also off of it. “Off the pitch, Daneli’s greatest strength is her heart. Her kindness and genuine care for others create a strong sense of unity within the team.
“She leads by example and has become a true role model to her peers, representing the school with integrity and pride. As her coach, I am incredibly proud of the person she is becoming, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”
Over the next five years, Boshoff plans to develop her life in cricket, studies and faith: “I would like to be part of the Cricket South Africa youth and emerging setup,” she said. “I also want to play Division One cricket, so I can pursue cricket full-time.
“Personally, I want to achieve good matric results and study part-time online while playing cricket. I want to grow as a person by growing in faith and living as a Godly child, living life to the fullest whilst representing Him.”
With her ability to lead by example and her vast wealth of experience in cricket despite her young age, Daneli Boshoff is the calibre of captain capable of taking the Donkies all the way to the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two national title.
While most of the teams will start their challenge for the national title on Wednesday, 4 March, the Western Cape winners will have to wait until Thursday before taking to the field. They’ll also play on Friday morning, with the playoffs following in the afternoon.
FIXTURES
Thursday, 5 March
HTS Drostdy vs Nkowankowa, Tuks C, 09:30
Queens High vs HTS Drostdy, Tuks E, 14:00
Friday, 6 March
HTS Drostdy vs Nomandi, Tuks C, 09:30
