FRANSCHOEK: The SA U19 Women have concluded their three-match T20 series against USA U19 Women, winning the series 2-1 after a nine-wicket loss in the final match.
South Africa posted 155/5 in their allotted 20 overs with solid contributions from Diedré van Rensburg (39) and Karabo Meso (37).
They were well supported in the twenties by Diara Ramlakan (25), Fay Cowling (23*) and Jae-Leigh Filander (20*).
USA’s Disha Dhingra made light work of the chase, with an unbeaten century to secure the win for the visitors.
Captain Kayla Reyneke expressed mixed emotions but emphasised the positives.
Reyneke also acknowledged the importance of learning from this series in preparation for the global stage as well as the camaraderie and teamwork that have become hallmarks of the squad.
“We have a number of elements we need to work on going into the world cup, there’s still improvements to be made and we will take the wins and build on them.
“The team has been with each other for a few months, playing together and spending so much time as a team. We celebrate together, and we get along nicely both on and off the field. We are a solid unit,” she continued.
“Our goal is to inspire young girls, and for them to know that they have access to the sport. It sounds so cliché, but it’s so simple. Cricket is a hard sport, but if you love it, you’ll wake up every day wanting to work hard and excel in the game,” said Reyneke
With their sights firmly set on the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, the SA U19 Women’s team carries the hopes of a nation and sets an inspiring example for the next generation of cricketers.
South Africa U19 Women Squad: ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 (18 January – 02 February)
Kayla Reyneke (Captain, Western Province), Jemma Botha (Western Province), Fay Cowling (Lions), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Titans), Simoné Lourens (Titans), Karabo Meso (Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Dragons), Luyanda Nzuza (Free State), Diara Ramlakan (Lions), Diedré van Rensburg (North West Dragons), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Chanel Venter (Titans).
Source: cricket.co.za
Graeme Pollock (born 1944) – 53 internationals, 55.53 average, 274 high score, 15 centuries, 23 official Tests: Pollock’s average has come down, but over a long career, that is probably accurate. Pollock only averaged 35 in eight rest of the world matches and 35 in six other matches. But in the early ’70s his form suffered as he transitioned from wearing glasses to contact lenses, and it took a while for him to adjust.
9Lives
Australia beat England by 45 runs in the first ever cricket Test as well as the Centenary Test in 1977. Australia beat England in the first ever Test match by 45 runs held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1877. Hundred years later the opposition were the same, the venue was the same and the result as well!
soiled dove
Rugby is also a very popular sport in South Africa and their national team, the Springboks, has performed particularly well in the international stage taking the 1995, 2007 and 2019 Rugby World Cups. There is also a fair amount of world-class Rugby players from South Africa that includes Bryan Habana, Danie Craven, Francois Pienaar, Frik du Preez, Joost van der Westhuizen, and Naas Botha. South Africa has also hosted quite a few international sports meetings like the 1996 African Cup of Nations, 2003 Cricket World Cup, as well as the 2007 World Twenty20 Championship.