The team mentored by Gary Kirsten Foundation coach, Sivuyile Mfunelwa put together a comprehensive 60-run victory over a more fancied Newlands Cricket School side in a warm up match at the Victoria Cricket Club on Saturday 8 October.

Batting first the under-19 Foundation side put on 151 from 35 overs in typical chilly and windy Cape conditions.

Siyamtanda Ntulwana (19) and Sive Ndukumbini (18) both managed to get starts at almost a run-a-ball but could not kick on.

It was their frontline bowlers who came to the party however. Makhelikhaya Botha was the pick of the bunch with outstanding figures of 3 for 12 from just four overs. He was helped by the consistent Ntlahla Macholo and Awonke Tokwe at the opposite end who both claimed two scalps apiece.

In the end Newlands were bowled out for a paltry 92 from 20 overs.

“It was an extremely important win for our guys against a well established outfit. The conditions were tough out there and they made the most of their time in the middle,” Director of Coaching at GKC, Ryan Van Niekerk said.

It was the first bit of competitive action ever for many of these players and Van Niekerk believes it bodes well for the upcoming season.

“It had a lot of significance. It is important for our players to understand that they can play at this level,” Van Niekerk concluded.

The WPCA School League kicks off on 22 October.

Follow all the progress of our talented youngsters here.