BROTHERS Riekert and Jandré Viljoen obviously have superior cricket genes driving their talents on the pitch.
The Richards Bay lads, who currently attend Westville Boys High School on sport bursaries, are making names for themselves and have been selected for the KZN U15 and U19 squads.
Younger brother Jandré (15) became the third Grade 9 pupil in the history of the school to play first team cricket and attend the Michaelmas cricket tournament this year.
The right-handed batsman/wicketkeeper joins the elite list with current Dolphins player Khaya Zondo and Dolphins Academy and KZN U19 cricketer Luke Schlemmer.
But that’s not all this young gun achieved.
He played for the U15A school side, made 94 runs at the KZN U15 trials, smashed an unbeaten 85 against Northwood U15A, made five half tons during the season, represented the Leopards U16 team, toured the UK with his school side and currently represents UKZN (open) in the Premier League.
‘I would really love to make a career out of cricket, but study physiotherapy as a backup,’ said Jandré.
On the move
Despite being in his final year of school, Riekert still managed to find time to excel on the cricket pitch.
The 17-year-old left arm orthodox spinner represented the school’s first XI and was selected for the KZN U19 squad,
He was the top wicket taker for KZN Coastal Schools this season with an economy rate of 2.2 runs per over, claimed six three-wicket hauls.
Previously he made the KZN U17 rural and SA U17 rural teams (2015), was voted KZN Rural Player of the Year (2015) and currently represents RH Construction uThungulu in the Premier League.
‘We love attending Westville Boys High School. Since we have been here, both our games have improved remarkably.
The exposure we get from coaching at school and provincial level is priceless. With all the stiff competition around, it motivates us to perform, train harder and push ourselves to excel,’ said the brothers.
They train five times a week with the first team and the Westville Boys High School Cricket Academy, and do extra fitness in the gym and out on the road.
Riekert has signed a six month contract with a Scottish Cricket Club for next year through agent Daryl Scott.
In between jetting off to Scotland from April to September next year, he will work at Veldenvlei Primary School as a cricket coach.
‘I would love to perform overseas and land another contract. But I would also like to use my experience and skills to open up a high performance centre in Richards Bay for the local youth.’
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