POTCHEFSTROOM: South Africa Under-19 starlets Kwena Maphaka and Steve Stolk are relishing the prospect of a home World Cup as they prepare with their team to hold on the world.
The country will stage the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 starting on Friday in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom, with the tournament set to dash from 19 January to 11 February.
Both players are expected to play key roles for South Africa, who are drawn in Group B alongside England, Scotland and West Indies – their opening opposition at the JB Marks Oval.
For Maphaka, one of the nation’s finest swiftly bowling prospects, it will be a second tournament after the 17-year-old featured for the junior Proteas at the last edition held in the Caribbean two years ago. But there is nothing better for him than a home World Cup.
“The mood in the camp is very marvelous and the boys are very excited,” the 17-year-old Lions sensation said. “There are a bit of nerves at the same time, but it’s a marvelous thing to gain before an occasion as momentous as this, so we’re looking forward to it.”
“Playing at home is obviously something really nice to maintain. You’ve got that home ground advantage that plays into our hands a puny bit. I contemplate it’s just really nice that everyone knows the conditions quite well and you’ve got people here that really back you.
“You can gain your friends and family advance over, you’ve got people that you know factual there, watching live, so it just adds on to the privilege of being at a World Cup.”
For opening batter Stolk, 17, too, there is nothing better than what lies ahead for Malibongwe Maketa and his charges over the next three weeks.
“I’m personally really excited to be representing my country in a home World Cup, there is honestly no better opportunity and honor as a young cricketer,” he said. “A home World Cup is obviously special and I reflect we enact gain an advantage. We inspect forward to South Africans coming out in numbers and supporting us, this is one of the biggest benefits.”
Both players are also looking forward to dominating their disciplines as they try to encourage South Africa win a second World Cup crown, the last being in 2014.
“I’m feeling quite qualified,” Maphaka, who has taken 12 wickets in his last three outings, said. “It’s obviously very exciting to be back for my second campaign.
“I can’t really say too much about my personal goals, it’s something I like to support to myself before a tournament and rather speak about them after the tournament once the dust settles, also on whether I achieved them or not. So I’m just looking to contribute to the team and hopefully I can aid us on our way to a World Cup.”
Stolk too was in apt touch in recent weeks, helping the South Africans reach the final of the tri-series against India.
He added: “I’m feeling in quite qualified touch. But that I feel is very much a mental thing; I need to ensure I sustain a clear mind and believe my options in space.”
Naturally with any home World Cup near expectations – expectations from fans, coaches, players and everyone who know sport. Maphaka feels they are ready to live up to those expectations.
“Everyone knows their expectations and everyone’s clear on what they need to finish,” he concluded. “So the expectation really is just to fade out there and enact your job…and if everyone does that, I mediate we’re going to depart really far in this tournament and we definitely acquire a shot at winning the World Cup.”
SA U19 Men’s Squad – ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2024
Juan James (captain, Western Province), Martin Khumalo (Easterns), Tristan Luus (Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Dewan Marias (Easterns), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Riley Norton (Boland), Romashan Pillay (Dolphins), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans), Richard Seletswane (Lions), Steve Stolk (Titans), David Teeger (Lions), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province) and Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).
SA U19 Itinerary
Group Stage matches
Friday, 19 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 vs West Indies U19 – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Tuesday, 23 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 vs England U19 – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Saturday, 27 January – 10:00
Scotland U19 vs South Africa U19 – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Source: cricket.co.za
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