With the first season of Varsity Cricket all done and dusted, it is time to reflect on the impact of the competition on South Africa’s cricketing landscape. The tournament took place in Potchefstroom from February 3 to 8 and Tuks were crowned champions after losing just one of their nine matches.
Tuks will go on to represent South Africa at the Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals in India later this year, a tournament they won last year.
The tournament drew impressive crowds in its inaugural season, with up to 1 500 people attending each day. It was backed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and it offered valuable experience for a number of local players, according to CSA’s Youth and Tertiary development manager, Niels Momberg.
“For the cricketers who were not offered professional contracts, these kinds of tournaments are a way to prove themselves on a big stage. This adds to competitiveness and creates more chances for players to make a career out of playing cricket,” said Momberg.
The tournament was vastly competitive with more than ten players from the South African u.19 team taking part, and a number of semi-pro players ensuring that the intensity was always up. This is an invaluable experience for those players who have not yet made it into the academy systems.
“Competitive cricket at university level presents future players with the opportunity to prepare for what awaits them at franchise level.” Momberg believes that this is great preparation for the future.
“Playing under lights and in front of big crowds all adds to the excitement, and helps build an atmosphere which helps prepare players for what might await them when they go on to make it to franchise level,” Momberg said.
The tournament’s intensity, four games a day for five days followed by two semi-finals and a final on the same day, also adds to the experience of shaping the future of these youngsters, but Momberg revealed that all options are being considered for the next event.
Varsity Sports CEO Duitser Bosman added that he was delighted with the first season of the competition.
“The inaugural Varsity Cricket tournament was a great success for us. It once again underscored the importance of having a high standard of intervarsity competitions, which offers exposure and experience to the students,” said Bosman.
