Pukke select strong and versatile squad for Varsity Cricket

NWU Pukke have chosen its squad for the upcoming 2016 Varsity Cricket tournament, which includes a number of experienced players and eager youngsters.  Wihan Lubbe heads the team with Conrad de Swardt as the head coach. Jimmy Kgamadi and Niel Bredenkamp are the assistant coaches.

With the second edition of the Varsity Cricket tournament kicking off on 25 January in Potchefstroom, fans can expect more of what made the 2015 spectacle such a crowd-pleaser. UP-Tuks were crowned the inaugural champions while the hosts, NWU-Pukke, finished third.

According the NWU-Puk cricket manager and head coach Conrad de Swardt, his side will be looking to not only dethrone the reigning champs, but enthrall the crowds as well.
“We decided that we’re going to be the team that plays the most exciting cricket and that entertains the supporters the most. However, we also need to win. There’s definitely pressure on us as hosts, but the guys are not letting that affect them,” says De Swardt.
“We are lucky in the fact that we haven’t lost many players from last season and we are going to do all in our power to achieve our goals and objectives.”

NWU-Pukke will be looking to the wide bat of André Malan to lay into the opposition. Malan is no rookie to high-stakes competition, having represented the Lions in the Twenty20 RAM Slam domestic competition. He forms part of a prolific duo with brother Janneman. Left-hander Marques Ackerman should also prove a handful with the willow.

On the bowling front, Brakpan-born Armandt Erasmus and product of Potchefstroom Boys High, Julian Soutter, will be two of the primary strike weapons in the team’s arsenal. Spin wizard Dylan Matthews, an alumni of Wynberg Boys High, is also sure to bamboozle batsmen.

The coaching staff of De Swardt, Niel Bredenkamp (batting coach) and Jimmy Kgmadi (spin bowling and fielding coach) all boast provincial experience and enough know-how to steer the side to top honours.
The trifecta of NWU-Puk Oval, Senwes Park and Ibbies Oval in Potch also hosted the tournament last year. This year the North West is suffering under a debilitating heatwave and a severe draught. “We are very proud to be hosting the tournament again,” said De Swardt. “It really is an honour. We are hoping for a bit of rain because although our pitches are great, the outfields can be a bit of a problem. So, if somebody could send a bit of rain over to us we’ll be really grateful.”

The NWU-Puk manager was quick to praise Varsity Cricket for what it’s doing for the cricket in South Africa.
“The impact has been amazing,” he said. “I read somewhere that the largest number of viewers came from India. It’s great for players to be seen playing on television and a lot of domestic coaches are now being exposed to more players. In the end I think Varsity Cricket will do for cricket at this level what Varsity Cup did for rugby. It also serves to promote transformation, which is very important. I think it’s just a matter of time before we see our first international who plied his trade in Varsity Cricket.”

The Pukke squad for 2016 is:

Wihan Lubbe (captain), André Malan, Armand Erasmus, Dyllan Matthews, Edrich Lubbe, Henning du Plooy, Janneman Malan, Jovaun van Wyngaardt, JP le Roux, Julian Soutter, Katle Leokoake, Marques Ackerman, Richardt Frenz and Ruan Haasbroek