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KZN10.com Year in Pictures Part 1
It’s been an incredible year for the young men of the KZN 10.
DHS, Clifton College, Michaelhouse, Northwood, Hilton College, Westville, Kearsney College, Maritzburg College, St Charles College and Glenwood.
They say pictures paint a thousand words. Here are a few from a posse of special people. The photographers who gave so freely.
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Big Vince: Cricket in the Shadows
BIG VINCE van der Bijl taught me geography at Maritzburg College so I figure that’s good enough for KZN10.com so here is one of the most fascinating, beautifully-written, cricket features I have ever read.
Further, my sports journalism mentor, the incomparable John Bishop – like Jono a Maritzburg College Old Boy, wrote a memorable biography on Big Vince titled Cricket in the Shadows. Plus Big Vince lived across the road from me for a time. I think I’ve made my case.
Thank you University of KZN law professor and 70s 80s first XI scorer Michaelhouse Old Boy Mike Kidd for bringing it to my attention. If you don’t find this a reminisce to treasure, best give cricket a break.
The John Bishop biography on Vince van der Bijl: Cricket in the Shadows.
* This splendid piece of cricket writing was penned by Abhishek Mukherjee, the source, CricketCountry.
Vintcent van der Bijl, born March 19, 1948, was one of the greatest fast-medium bowlers of all time. Here’s a look-back at yet another talented cricketer who did not make it to the top level because of South Africa’s isolation from international cricket because of its Apartheid policy.
City Oval, Pietermaritzburg, 1972. After Natal had won the toss and had elected to bat, Robin Jackman and Peter Swart bowled them out for 76 on the first morning — Jackman registering a hat-trick. The Western Province side was expected to put up a big lead and bat Natal out of the match as Neville Budge and Quentin Rookledge walked out to bat.
Then, from the shadows of the canopy of trees, emerged a tall frame of 6 feet 7½ inches, in size 14 boots. He did not snarl as he ran in. If anything, there was a hint of a smile in those twinkling eyes.
He did not pound the turf as he approached the non-striker’s end — he simply flowed like a river in a silken motion that evoked more poetry than power. There was nothing intimidating about the imposing figure. Other than his accuracy, pace, bounce, and movement off the pitch, that is.
Before they realised what had hit them, Western Province were bowled out for 121. Vintcent van der Bijl had taken 8 for 35 from 22.2 eight-ball overs.
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After Barry Richards helped Natal to 263 in their second outing, van der Bijl came back at Western Province again, taking 5 for 18 from 14 eight-ball overs, bowling them out for 60. Seldom has a side won by a huge margin —158 runs in this case — after being bundled out for 76 in the first innings.
There has been only one van der Bijl. The world has seldom seen a better fast-medium bowler.
And yet, having born at the wrong place in the wrong time, he could not play a single Test. Ever. This meant that he had to spend an entire career lurking in oblivion, unnoticed by the cricket world.
When people speak about the South Africans of the 1970s, it’s usually about Barry Richards, Graeme Pollock, Peter Pollock, Mike Procter and Clive Rice. Few people mention van der Bijl.
Not that he minded. A history and geography teacher at Maritzburg College and club cricketer for Zingari CC, he never took up cricket as a profession, other than one unforgettable season at Middlesex. It was always a form of entertainment for him — and another sport that he had chosen over rugby and shot-put, both of which he was extremely proficient at.
Vince of Middlesex vs West Indies @ Lord’s on 21 May 1980. Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto/Getty Image
He was never rude, or even aggressive. Such attributes were well beneath him; off the field, the genial giant greeted everyone with the most cordial of smiles, and won friends everywhere. Seldom has a pace bowler been as apologetic after bouncing; or as good-humoured after being clobbered by a batsman.
How great was van der Bijl?
Let us do some number-crunching first: In 156 First-Class matches, van der Bijl took 767 wickets at a staggering 16.54.
He had 46 fifers in these matches, which was once every 3.4 matches. He played First-Class cricket in 16 seasons — which included a single match each in two seasons. In the other 14, his worst average was 21.33 in 1972-73, and he went past the 20-mark only once more — in 1976-77.
Van der Bijl is still the leading wicket-taker in Currie Cup with 572 wickets; the next man on the list is Garth le Roux with 365 wickets — a whopping 207 behind van der Bijl. He took 65 wickets in a South African domestic season in 1975-76 — a record at that time.
If one considered non-Test playing cricketers after World War I, van der Bijl has the most wickets, and the best bowling average (with a 200-wicket cut-off) in First-Class cricket.
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The home seasons
Vintcent Adriaan Pieter van der Bijl was a third-generation First-Class cricketer. His father, Pieter, had played 5 Tests for South Africa. Pieter had scored 460 runs at 51.11, and had once held the record for the longest Test innings by a South African when he batted for 428 minutes 7 hours and 8 minutes).
It was probably from him that Vintcent had inherited his talent — and his incredible sense of humour.
He impressed everyone at university level, and caught the eyes of Trevor Goddard. Goddard and Peter Pollock guided him, and they were so impressed that van der Bijl leapfrogged into the Natal side, not having to play for the second team.
Turning up for Natal, van der Bijl made an immediate impact on the domestic circuit. He took 24 wickets at 20.54 — excellent figures by any standards — though it was way below par in van der Bijl’s standards. He went a step ahead in the next season, picking up 28 more at 15.60.
Even then, he could not find a place in the 1969-70 home series against Australia. So strong was the South African team that van der Bijl was not even in contention.
DONE AND DUSTED. No 333 this time for Graham Gooch. Another victim of the unstoppable Big Vince van der Bijl.
However, he could not be kept out for long, and after 26 wickets at 19.53 and 48 wickets at 15.10 in the next two seasons, he was an automatic selection for the 1971-72 tour to Australia.
The tour did not take place, though; South Africa was banned from international cricket, and van der Bijl’s dreams of playing Test cricket were shattered forever.
Big Vince kept on teaching at Maritzburg College (Jono says: Vince was a brilliant teacher; it helped that he towered over everyone huddled at their classroom desks, but the quality of instruction was never without a liberal sprinklings of humour).
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Playing for Zingari Cricket Club in the KZN capital and made merry at the hapless Springboks’ expense on the South African domestic circuit.
He ran in, over after over, match after match, season after season, never tiring, despite knowing that he would never be able to play Test cricket for a fault that wasn’t his.
For him, cricket wasn’t a way to find his recognition in the world, or a mode to vent his anger or frustration. In van der Bijl’s world, cricket was meant to be fun.
His father had once written to him “whether you make runs or take wickets, or do neither, always think of the other fellow”. He never failed to do that.
When Barry Richards had asked van der Bijl to bounce a tail-ender on one occasion, he gently replied “but I might kill him.” It will indeed be difficult to explain the van der Bijl philosophy to fast bowlers of the current era.
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He became the captain of Natal in 1976-77, and in his first season he led them to victories in both the Currie Cup and Datsun Shield (the South African domestic limited-overs tournament).
He worked on his batting at the same time, and scored three fifties in the 1978-79 season, and three more in the following one — along with 46 wickets at 14.86 and 37 more at 13.59 in the two seasons.
All this happened when Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Richard Hadlee had all appeared on the international stage, along with the West Indian pace battery.
Van der Bijl could only remain a silent spectator, just like his countrymen Clive Rice and Mike Procter — though he deserved playing cricket at the highest level more than most.
As Barry Richards had once said, “Vince van der Bijl is one outstanding example of somebody who would have been a wonderful international player.”
Stint with Middlesex, and later years
In 1979 van der Bijl had quit teaching, and began working for Wiggins Teape. However, with West Indies scheduled to tour England in 1980, the Middlesex team management assumed that their spearhead Wayne Daniel would be on national duty, and they sought a replacement. They signed up van der Bijl.
The Middlesex players were not happy. Mike Brearley showed his dissent at his selection, and was ready to raise it to the Committee. John Emburey asked, “who the hell is this van der Bijl guy?”
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Indeed, other than his superlative bowling average (that too in a country with an unknown quality of cricket), he had nothing to show on his CV. He was 32, had almost never played in England, and was probably out of practice in what was an off-season for his country.
At the first glimpse of van der Bijl, Middlesex wicketkeeper Ian Gould told himself “how’s this old man going to cope?” He was sure that it had been an ‘outrageous signing’. After the season Gould went on to remind “he became a Middlesex legend and he was there for only a season.”
As things turned out, Daniel did not get selected for West Indies, and van der Bijl opened the bowling with him against Nottinghamshire.
It was a rendezvous for fast bowlers, since Richard Hadlee and Clive Rice were playing for Nottinghamshire. van der Bijl’s first ball pitched on the leg-stump, moved off the pitch, beat the bat, and thumped into Gould’s gloves. van der Bijl had arrived!
Van der Bijl picked up 4 for 62 and Daniel 4 for 59, and Nottinghamshire were skittled for 164. At stumps, he entered the Nottinghamshire dressing-room with a beer, and immediately realised that he was in for a cultural shock. They did not fraternise with opponents in England.
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He won over a lot of supporters, both among his teammates and the crowd, both with his quality of cricket and his attitude towards the sport.
His captain Mike Brearley wrote in The Art of Captaincy: “… we were lucky enough to have van der Bijl in our side; his contribution was immense, not only on the field but off it: for he tended to blame himself rather than others, and saw the best in the rest of us rather than homing in so sharply on faults.
Middlesex & England captain Mike Brearley’s initial doubts about Big Vince were transformed into unabashed admiration.
“After a poor performance in the field against Kent in a Sunday League match, for instance, it was refreshing to hear van der Bijl say, ‘Sorry, men, it was all my fault, bowling those two half-volleys early on.”
Daniel, the other Middlesex spearhead, hit it off with van der Bijl almost immediately. When the lanky South African got a wicket, the Barbadian ran in to greet and hug him with a wide grin, thereby ignoring the political issues that had made the countries avoid looking at each other in their eyes.
“It was like a bear hugging a giraffe, and it was symbolic of the warmth most West Indians showed South African players”, writes Simon Hughes.
Hughes adds: “No one could fail to be impressed by van der Bijl. Not only was he a fearsome bowler with incredible accuracy, genuine penetration, and an LBW appeal like an enraged triffid, but off the field he was also gentle and disarming, intelligent and funny.”
His self-control and sense of humour showed in the most adverse of times as well. When Sunil Gavaskar was belting him mercilessly in a Benson and Hedges match, van der Bijl found the Little Master’s bottom edge — only to watch it run away for four.
It was the first time Gavaskar had erred in that innings. van der Bijl, about a foot and a quarter taller than Gavaskar, walked up to the little man and feigned fury, exclaiming “Oh, you ‘orrible little man, why don’t you concentrate?” Everyone, including the usually sombre Gavaskar, was in splits.
In short, van der Bijl had fun, smoked Dunhills, and took 85 wickets in the season from 20 matches at 14.72.
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He took five fifers, and in combination with Daniel (67 wickets at 21.70), led Middlesex to the County Championship and the Gillette Cup. He was nominated a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1981.
Hughes mentions that he was “very accurate, and [had] a wicked yorker, amazing control and a classic side-on action.”
His accuracy had become the talk of the town. Gould recalls an incident where van der Bijl was bowling on a damp pitch. After his first over, Gould wanted to check where the balls had landed, making dents on the soft earth.
It was then he realised that all six deliveries would have ‘landed on a saucer’. An awestruck Mike Selvey called him ‘fantastic, relentlessly straight’, possessor of ‘Southern Hemisphere strength’, and he was indeed one of the best bowlers he had seen.
He returned home a hero, having established himself among the world’s greatest players. There had never been any doubt in his home country about his ability — and now the world of cricket had become aware of his supreme pedigree.
Bolstered by his success, he blew apart the South African batsmen, match after match, picking up 54 wickets from eight matches at an absurd 9.50.
He had become so popular in Middlesex that he was recalled for a single match against MCC in the 1981 season. He did little of note, but he was greeted with the rare loud cheers of the typically quiet of Lord’s that behaved against its nature out of loyalty to the great man.
LEGENDS BOTH: Big Vince and DHS Old Boy Hashim Amla. Dominic Barnhardt Gallo Images
In the last match of the domestic season, van der Bijl won the encounter for Natal against Northern Transvaal single-handedly as he took 6 for 64 and 8 for 47 in an incredible match haul of 14 wickets for 111 runs at a fraction under 12 runs per wicket.
When the rebel Englishmen toured South Africa later that season, van der Bijl was picked to play for South Africa.
Against a strong batting line-up comprising of Graham Gooch, Geoff Boycott, Wayne Larkins, and Dennis Amiss, van der Bijl took 5 for 25 and 5 for 79 to blow them apart in a match analysis of 10 for 104.
He had another spell of 5 for 97 in the same series. Vince, rapidly making his way after switching to the business world, shifted to Transvaal on promotion from his stationery company the next season.
The change of team hardly made any difference to him, and he finished the season with 75 wickets from 11 matches at 14.92. He played two matches against the rebel West Indies team, picked up 10 wickets at 18.80. And then, all of a sudden, he decided to call it quits after the 1982-83 season, in which he took 52 wickets at 18.76.
His match figures in his last four matches read 6 for 93 against Eastern Province, 9 for 91 against Eastern Province, 3 for 39 against Natal, and 7 for 132 against Western Province.
Later years
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Van der Bijl generally remained away from cricket after his retirement from First-Class cricket. Over time, he came to terms with the fact he had not been able to play a single Test.
Even after South Africa’s return to international cricket, he never got the recognition he had deserved — unlike several of his contemporaries. Not that it bothered to him.
It was as late as 2008 that ICC named him their Manager for the umpires and match referees.
* Vintcent Adriaan Pieter van der Bijl was born in Rondebosch, Cape Town, where his father, Pieter van der Bijl, was headmaster of the Diocesan College Preparatory School.
GENTLE GIANT: Vintcent Adriaan Pieter van der Bijl. Gentleman cricketer. Stellar human. Getty Images
(Abhishek Mukherjee is a cricket historian and Senior Cricket Writer at CricketCountry. He generally looks upon life as a journey involving two components – cricket and literature – though not as disjoint elements.
A passionate follower of the history of the sport with an insatiable appetite for trivia and anecdotes, he has also a steady love affair with the incredible assortment of numbers that cricket has to offer.
He also thinks he can bowl decent leg-breaks in street cricket, and blogs at http://ovshake.blogspot.in. He can be followed on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ovshake and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ovshake42)
* This delightful feature was written 2,5 years ago.
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Knife-edge baskets, 2 quarters each, 1 winner
EARLY deficit, great comeback, one point in it at half-time, decisive third quarter to the hosts, and just 3 points in it at the end.
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Feature image: Kearsney’s Dillon Wimbush takes the high road. Tracey van den Aardweg
Kearsney suffering a 0-7 deficit, pulling back to within 2 points, taking the second quarter by 3 points, going into half-time 25-24 up.
A great St Charles College third quarter re-established a 6-point lead and despite Kearsney winning the fourth quarter, it was a case of one single three-pointer shy of parity.
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On Saturday Kearsney travelled to St Charles for the penultimate match of the 2018 basketball season.
The oppressive heat in the indoor centre didn’t deter either team, who had been relishing the clash.
The game started well for St Charles, as they raced out to a 7-point lead with Kearsney not being able to halt the Saints’ offence onslaught or score themselves.
Kearsney weathered the storm, managing to make up the deficit with some determined defence and accurate shooting, leaving the visitors marginally behind hosts St Charles by 13-11 at the end of the first quarter.
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The second quarter belonged to Kearsney, but it was clear to the spectators who had braved the heat that this was going to be a close contest.
Half-time had Kearsney 25-24 ahead, setting up the prospect of a closely contested second half.
St Charles looked to be in control at the end of the third quarter, having managed to outscore the visiting Kearsney team by 19 points to 12.
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True to the Kearsney team’s character, they continued to fight hard and managed to win the final quarter 14-11 but it was not enough to secure the game.
St Charles shaded visitors Kearsney by 3 points in the final analysis.
The return match next term promises to be a good one and KZN10.com wishes both sides well in the new year’s first school term of basketball.
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Kearsney’s top guns were Siyabonga Mpontshane (15 points), Loyiso Mabude, Dillon Wimbush and Kyle Trail (8 points each).
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Kearsney College water polo too many options vs Saints
Kearsney College’s 1st water polo team were hosted by St Charles College on Saturday and started with a pressure defence to try to force St Charles into making mistakes.
Tracey van den Aardweg feature image: First team vice-captain Nic Baines leaves Kearsney with 100 caps.
Kearsney were rewarded almost immediately with a counter-attack goal.
That became the pattern for the rest of the chukka, with Kearsney scoring 6 goals with no reply.
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In the 2nd chukka St Charles were more careful on their attack and made Kearsney work harder on defence.
Still the Kearsney counter attack was too quick and their shooting too accurate for St Charles and they scored another five goals in the 2nd chukka.
Kearsney showed their mental and physical fitness by completely dominating the 3rd chukka, scoring well-worked team goals on every attack, to take the score to 19-0.
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The 4th chukka was a little scrappy, with Kearsney being impatient and making a few mistakes, allowing St Charles to score their first goal of the game.
Kearsney were still far stronger, though, and scored another 4in reply, with Ox Carmody rounding off his tally of 6 goals in the game.
The final score of 23-1 was a fitting end to the stellar school careers of captain Taine Buys and vice-captain Nic Baines, who both earned 100 1st team caps and have been exemplary players for Kearsney.
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Great day for St Charles College basketball
THE St Charles College basketball fraternity were all smiles after the final round of Saturday fixtures this year, on 10 November 2018.
Saint won the majority of matches against Kearsney College, including the 1st team match (54-51), the 2nds, U15A and U14A games.
Dean Riley feature image: The chuffed Saints basketball team after a job well done.
The Saints first team win by 3 points owed much to the quality of their benchies.
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Here is a take on home side the Saints 1st team game, as reported by head coach Darren Holcomb:
“Both teams have long been considered as two of the best basketball schools in the province and therefore the tension was high as the schools clashed for the third time this season.
“The two previous encounters had come down to the wire with the Saints winning both by single-figure margins.
“Saturday’s clash was also extremely close from the outset as both teams jostled for supremacy.
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“Both St Charles College and Kearsney used a variation of zone defence, man defence and full-court presses in order to force turnovers.
“After 37 minutes of play, there was only a single point separating the two teams.
“However, the difference between the two teams had to be their bench.
“The St Charles College bench provided quality back-up minutes, which allowed the starters to rest. They also provided important scoring to ensure that the Saints maintained their small lead.
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“With less than a minute on the clock, Lifa Jafta knocked down a massive three-point shot, which gave the home team the breathing space required to secure their third win of the season.
“The St Charles College team is young and are sure to continue improving in the first term of 2019 as they look to take on the best in the country at the annual St John’s College Johannesburg Tournament.”
KZN10.com is looking forward to following the progress of Saints and Kearsney basketball next year.
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Stars in alignment for Saints cricket vs Kearsney
Following their fine win, having come back from a difficult position, at Northwood the Saturday before, the St Charles College first XI again played excellent cricket in beating Kearsney College by 79 runs on the SCC Oval Saturday, 10 November 2018.
Dean Riley feature image: A happy St Charles College first XI (captain Nate Benjamin 3rd from right, back) after beating Kearsney College on SCC Oval Saturday. The scoreboard total had yet to be adjusted to 149/10.
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On a blistering day, captain Nathaniel Benjamin wore the light blue blazer for the final time and won the toss for his team on an excellent batting wicket.
St Charles paced their innings with precision; mature, disciplined and, on occasion, brutal batting.
It was Jason Login who once again was a class apart.
Saints star performer Jason Login bowls leg-spin during the St Charles College vs Kearsney College first XI match in the KZN capital on Saturday. Photo Saysha Baker
Login co-ordinated the innings to perfection. He was out for 99 and disappointingly missed out on his second century of the season.
In Login’s last three innings, he has scored 64, 50 and 99, showing his worth and character, having not been selected for the KZN Inland U17 side.
Logan has been a major player in the Saints first XI this year and continues to go from strength to strength.
Saints ended their innings well and compiled a respectable total of 228/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
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This was always going to be difficult for Kearsney to chase, but they started well and were up with the run rate until the 15th over, when spin was introduced from both ends.
The saints spin trio of Login, Clive Madande and Wesley Madhevere have produced the goods all season – and Saturday was no exception.
Sharing the wickets between them, coupled with two excellent run outs, meant that Kearsney were always under pressure, St Charles College bowling Kearsney out for 149 and ultimately winning the match by 79 runs.
The Saints are a young side and can look forward to next season with enthusiasm and excitement.
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It does appear that the St Charles College first XI will be one of the teams to look out for in 2019.
The stars also aligned for the Saints 2nd XI and they posted 319/5 in their 50 overs on AH Smith Oval at Kearsney.
James Twycross made 129 and Tim Login was unbeaten on 82.
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Steven Scott got in on the action with the ball, getting a hat-trick as Kearsney were bowled out for 109 runs, giving the Saints a 210-run victory.
The St Charles College U15 age group managed a clean sweep over Kearsney with the U15A winning by 45 runs.
The Saints U14A team had an exciting game at Kearsney that went right down to the wire, the hosts eventually winning by 1 wicket.
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Magic batting from Hilton College maestro Mikey Sclanders
MICHAEL Sclanders has scored exactly 2 300 runs for the Hilton College first XI and taken 54 wickets.
Michael Sclanders’ time in the school first XI ended 4 days ago.
When it comes to watching Michael Sclanders bat for Hilton firsts, I have certainly struck it lucky this year.
When all the elements weave into a day to remember.
Come to think of it, much of that “luck” is due to Mikey’s remarkable consistency rather than the goodwill of Lady Fortune.
On Sunday, 30 September, after Mikey was out for 30 the day before, I saw this composed number 3 batsman make a masterful 150 on Day 2 of the Maritzburg College-hosted 59th Oppenheimer Michael Cricket Week.
Convinced he could do it again, I then watched the Winterton farmers’ son well set for another 150 the next day, only to be adjudged run out on 52 in a situation that would have been well served by a slow-motion third umpire review.
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The day after that, on October 2, I saw Michael compile a superb 84 against KES.
And then a wonderful 104 against Clifton College 4 days later. All of these innings were played out on the Jack Hart-Davis Oval at Hilton College.
That’s 420 runs in 5 innings on Mikey’s home turf – inside 8 days – at 84 per innings.
That’s tapping into a rich vein of form.
And I saw further examples of the same at the Independent Schools’ Cricket Festival hosted by St Alban’s College in Pretoria 9 months ago.
Moments like this.
It’s difficult to differentiate between the excellence and then the still-more excellence I have been so captivated by this year, but 4 days ago might have been the best yet. And fittingly, in Mikey’s last school innings
The picturesque Roy Gathorne Oval setting at Michaelhouse was complemented by a beautiful summer’s day. Michaelhouse put Hilton in and SA U19 Cricket World Cup fast bowler Fraser Jones had knocked over the opening batsmen alarmingly quickly.
“Flustered” doesn’t seem to be a word when it comes to Michael Sclanders.
Barring a superb fifth-wicket partnership between Sclanders and Michael Booth, Hilton wickets were lost at various intervals but Michael Sclanders was always there, piloting the ship and his batting partners… deft placements here and carefully chosen moments there, triggering off boundary balls when most needed.
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His unbeaten 135 was not without its awkward moments – nothing worthwhile ever is – but my word it was a knock that anchored Hilton’s three-from-three over the Men of House this year.
It appears there is something about the Michaelhouse bowling – or the appeal of the challenge in meeting Hilton’s longest standing and most-anticipated opponents, that quickens the competitive instinct in Michael Sclanders.
On all three occasions the teams met this year, Sclanders played prominent roles with the bat – and, as with 4 days ago at Michaelhouse, has snared 2 or 3 wickets with his off-spin.
With such prolific opening batsmen in James Ritchie and the Hilton College captain’s fellow KZN Inland U19 opener Robbie McGaw ahead of Mikey in the top order, there have been times where the platform has been laid for the number 3.
However, this was not necessarily the case on the numerous occasions where Michael Sclanders has scored so heavily.
Knowing when to go big.
Indeed, it is his unruffled, oh-so-calm disposition that is one of Michael’s strongest attributes. Whatever the situation, he gives the impression that he is on top of it – a hugely reassuring feeling for captain, coach and team.
And he has the ability to read the flow of an innings, is able to advise his batting partner as to what is needed in the “now” so that the team’s innings can get through to the “then” in the closing overs.
All those hours spent when no-one is watching earns its day in the sunshine.
Watching Mikey pace his own innings is a fascination all on its own: the Hilton College nearly-finished grade 12 manipulates the bowling according to the needs of his team; working the ball into gaps seemingly at will, farming the strike when a new batsman comes to the crease at a late stage in the innings; knowing the opportune time to start launching his array of big shots.
And like all fine batsmen, Mikey seems to have all the time in the world: there is never a rush – I can’t recall a single hurried, evasive action – it’s like the delivery’s direction and trajectory have already been worked out beforehand.
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As I wrote in a Witness article earlier this year:
The grade 12 Hiltonian, like many who immediately catch the eye, has that vital fraction-of-a-second extra time to consider which of an array of cricket shots would be best employed for any given delivery.
Calm, unflustered – be it fast, off-spin, leg-spin, seam or swing – this stylish right-hander is equally at home.
And possibly the key to Sclanders’ success is that he is not concerned about “dot balls”; the opposition bowling attack strangling the run rate for a time.
He knows when it’s time to launch; he knows he’s got the repertoire, the shot selection, to turn defence into exponential attack in the space of two or three overs.
Michaelhouse number 3 bat Tom Trotter congratulates Mikey on his ton.
Mike Sclanders: a batsman cricket lovers would be happy to watch all day, every day, knowing that boredom borne of familiarity would not enter the equation.
No-one achieves success in isolation.
Michael has benefited from the world-class facilities at Hilton College. Similarly during his initial time at St Charles College, not to mention coaches such as the Proteas batting coach Dale Benkenstein – who is his primary Hilton College first XI coach.
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Michael Sclanders has also helped himself with his own steadfast dedication and application.
Early mornings in the gym, hours spent honing his batting skills; his mom has had two shoulder operations following countless throw-downs in the cricket net on the family’s Winterton farm.
Fortunately dad has not been subject to the knife – yet – following the ill-effects of his 1 000s of throw-downs, but the family medical aid is readying itself for some more heat.
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Best wishes at Coke Week, Michael.
December 16 to 20 on Cape Town.
See you there.
Expert advice brings great reward. arthur@megaprop.co.uk
The 2018 Hilton College head of school Stuart Roy reflects
The 2018 Hilton College Head of School or head boy, Stuart Roy, has handed the baton of office to his successor, the 2019 Boys of House leader Cameron Coley.
Towards the end of his time as Head of School I asked Stu what he had learned from his leadership position, what was the highlight of his year and what advice would he like to give to his successors in the 2019 school leadership positions.
“Thank you for the opportunity Mr Cook.
“I have been privileged to have been the Head of School for 2018.
“The experience has allowed me to learn much and grow as an individual.
This year’s Hilton College Head of School Stuart Roy and deputy Luyanda Cingo.
“This year has had its share of ups and downs. I think I have learnt more from the down times.
“A major point for me has been learning how to deal with a tricky situation effectively but also keep various people satisfied at the same time. I think this has developed my emotional awareness.
“My role has involved a lot of people interaction and consequently I think I have learnt how to deal with people according to who they are.”
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Stu there is much food for thought in your response. I will take the time to return to it when I get a chance, as I think there is much I could learn, or at least re-visit.
The constant battle between meeting the needs of others and staying true to oneself – never easy.
Let’s get on to the less tricky stuff, the things that make the difficulties so worthwhile. So Stu, as head of the learner body, what has been your personal highlight of the year?
“Each year, the night before the Hilton vs Michaelhouse rugby and hockey derbies, we have several traditions within the school, Mr Cook.
Head of School Stuart Roy and first XV captain Patrick McVeigh with their rugby jerseys.
“It was enriching and thrilling for me in leading these traditions, addressing the boys and seeing their emotional response. This is just one example where I have felt what we call a ‘brotherhood’.
“All my best memories come from the times when it’s been all the boys together. I love seeing boys passionate about their institutions.”
Yes indeed, Stu, there are few more thrilling sight-and-sound moments than a group of our schoolboys as one, in song when supporting their teams.
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What would be the one best piece of advice you would give to the head of school of next year and his leadership group? (This interview took place before the 2019 leadership group was announced but is pertinent nevertheless).
“I have learned Mr Cook, that this is a role that can be very demanding: balancing leadership and school work is tough.
“The [2019] leadership group – and those to follow – need to be proactive in order to remain on top of the different challenges that present themselves.
“Most importantly, the leaders should stay true to themselves once they are placed in positions of leadership. They are appointed because of who they are and should not change that.
Stu Roy giving his matric dance speech.
“In closing, I think something that ties in nicely with this is what my brother once said to me about my role as head boy, “Stu, you are not the leader of the free world”.
“It was his simple way of saying, don’t take yourself too seriously, and remain humble.”
Thanks for that, Stu, I think your brother’s advice serves us all well. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in things, which seem so huge in that moment.
What I [Jono] need to say to myself is, “I’m going to take a step back, step out of this, simplify what actually is happening, then break it down into one-step-at-time and go from there.
I appreciate your time, Stu, best wishes in you further endeavours.
“Thank you Mr Cook. I wish the same for you.”
Successful people seek expert advice. arthur@megaprop.co.uk
Manchester City trial for Hilton’s Costi
Hilton College’s 16-year-old first team soccer goalkeeper Costi Christodoulou is on trial with English Premiership football giants Manchester City.
Costi jetted off to the UK over the weekend and for the grade 10 boy it’s a wonderful opportunity to reach for his dream.
Sunday saw Costi watch the Manchester derby between City and United and he began his trial with Man City yesterday.
City are hosting Costi over the next fortnight in order to have a close look at this young shot-stopper.
English champions City have been following Costi’s progress since he first started for SA U17 as a15-year-old prodigy.
The 16-year-old Costi is the current SA U17 captain.
Costi has been attending Maritzburg United training sessions since grade 9 and is the youngest player to have played in the Diski Challenge.
Hilton College has done its utmost to support Costi and has granted him leave of absence to attend training in the mornings at Maritzburg United’s Harry Gwala Stadium and made allowances for this highly intelligent lad to recoup time lost in the classroom later.
Being a boarder certainly helps this process and Costi has been hitting the 90 percentile academic average in his subjects.
Prior to this one, KZN10.com had written three stores on Constandino “Costi” Christodoulou – and Jono has written another on Costi for a national magazine.
* You can find the earlier KZN10.com Costi stories on the soccer page or the Hilton College page.
KZN10.com knows how to pick ‘em.
To be honest it’s not that difficult – and certainly pretty obvious to many – just a few minutes watching Costi in action for Hilton firsts or as captain of the Amajimbos (SA U17) and you can tell he’s got the elusive “it” that sets him apart.
The KZN10 family wishes Costi everything of the best over the next two weeks.
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A natural: Maritzburg College’s Jacques van der Walt
IF you have ever seen him loft a six with the sweetest of timing into the Kent Pavilion rafters or get the first XV backline away with an economy of movement and technically perfect distribution, you’ll know who I’m talking about.
Feature image: Practice makes perfect. No-one works harder at his game than Maritzburg College first XI cricketer Jacques van der Walt.
Maritzburg College first XI’s elegant left-hander, and first XV’s classic flyhalf is the soon-to-be-finished grade 11 student Jacques van der Walt.
Maritzburg College first XV’s Jacques van der Walt on attack vs St Charles College on Goldstones in match 1 of 2018.
A Martin Ashworth image
KZN10.com decided to take a closer look.
So Jacques how old are you, where were you born, who’re your siblings, what do they do and where are they now?
“Thanks for your interest in me Sir; that’s quite a bit to answer from one question!
“I’m 17 years old and was born on 15 January, 2001 at St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
“I am the youngest of 3 siblings; my brother’s name is Chase, age 27, and my sister’s name is Tayla; she is 24.
“Chase is in China teaching English and Tayla is in America working as an au pair. They are both qualified teachers.”
‘My sister Tayla stood behind the rugby posts
playing “ball-girl” while I practised my place-kicking’
As a young boy, Jacques’ passion for cricket and rugby was encouraged and supported by siblings Tayla and Chase.
Jacques, I have watched you play cricket and rugby many times, so why your love of cricket and rugby, how old were you when you started, who was it initially who taught you cricket and rugby, and was it in the backyard or where?
“My first memories are being on the side of a rugby or cricket field almost every weekend watching my brother, Chase.
“He was my hero and would always take the time to play with me and allow me to play with him and his friends in the garden at home.
“My first official private cricket coach was Mr Rob Fuhri, from about the age of 5 till I started high school at Maritzburg College.”
Be it cricket, rugby or learning how to drive, always seek the best advice.
So who have been some of the major influences in your life, on the making of Jacques van der Walt, the sportsman, in your upbringing?
‘One of my greatest moments was when
I played my first club cricket match with my brother’
“My brother, Chase, is my best friend and biggest supporter and has kept me grounded.
“Chase spent hours with me in the garden, the nets and on the fields helping develop my cricket and rugby skills.
“One of my greatest moments was when I played my first club cricket match with my brother.
Jacques is superb at second slip. This catch on Goldstones was an absolute cracker after the edged ball simply flew off the bat.
“My sister, Tayla, has always been there for emotional support and has always had my back.
“On numerous occasions she has stood behind the rugby posts playing ‘ball-girl’ while I practised my place-kicking.”
Jono: You were at Cordwalles Prep School, what did your time there teach you in terms of values etc. and what teams did you play for in grade 7 both for Cordwalles and provincial?
“Cordwalles introduced me to the various sports and cultural activities, which enabled me to explore which sporting and cultural activities I preferred.
“Cordwalles taught me the value of true friendship, loyalty and respect.
Ever so stylish, Jacques is a master of manipulating the bowling.
“I played 1st team cricket, which I captained, and 1st team rugby for Cordwalles.
“I was the Victor Ludorum for swimming, made the U13 midlands rugby team and the KZN Inland cricket team, which I captained.”
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Jono: On to high school, why Maritzburg College?
What as a grade 7 or earlier attracted you to the Red Black and White?
Was it for example the emotional pull when you watched your first rugby match on Goldstones, did you decide then and then, “One day I want to be there!”
‘There was never another school for me’
Jacques: “At the age of 3, I had my own Maritzburg College rugby jersey, which I wore every Saturday when I went to support my brother playing either rugby or cricket for Maritzburg College.
“My first real memories are from about 5 years old, playing rugby with my friends behind the stands on Goldstones until the 1st team were getting ready to run through Nicolson’s Arch.
Jacques after being presented with the 10 jersey in Victoria Hall.
“It was my dream that one day I would be running on to Goldstones with all the boys shouting and cheering me on.
“There was never another school for me. I have been so blessed and privileged to have realised my dream.
“First I had the honour of making my first XV debut in the Red Black and White, and then representing the College 1st XV this year – and running under Nicholson’s Arch.”
For those of you (possibly very few) who wonder who the arch is named after, it was erected in honour of one of Durban High School’s many exceptional Old Boys, Mr J.M. “Skonk” Nicholson.
DHS Old Boy John Smithers is a man you can count on.
Skonk, the Maritzburg College geography teacher, deputy headmaster and without-peer Maritzburg College first XV coach, a gentleman who conducted himself with such grace and understated distinction.
Clear and comfortable vision is a must.
Jono: So Jacques, what is special about Maritzburg College? Why is there such a strong bond – the mass gathering of school friends on Old Boys Reunion Weekend?
The Jacques answer is immediate: “The sense of brotherhood that bonds us together for life.”
Jono: Jacques, please tell us about the teams you’ve played for provincially and any teams from your Cordwalles Prep grade 7 year up to now that you’ve captained?
“In cricket, Cordwalles 1st team captain, KZN Inland U13 captain, Maritzburg College U14A captain and U15A captain; KZN Inland U15 captain, Maritzburg College U16A captain, 1st XI, and now the KZN Inland U17 team.”
Ton up for Jacques van der Walt on Goldstones.
JACQUES’ 2018 FIRST XI BATTING STATS
Innings 23
Not out 6
Aggregate runs 870
Strike rate approximately 70 per 100 balls faced
Average 51.11
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“In rugby I played Cordwalles 1st team, Midlands u13, Maritzburg College U14A vice-captain, U15A captain, U16A vice-captain, Sharks U16 at Grant Khomo Week, and the Maritzburg College 1st XV this year.
Sharks U16 flyhalf Jacques van der Walt surrounded by happy team-mates during Grant Khomo Week 2017.
Well, that makes for an incredibly taxing number of school years, not to mention the time spent on academics.
Jono: Jacques it has been a pleasure talking to you. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
“I would like to say thank you to all my coaches through the years for believing in me and teaching me the real value of playing sport.
“Thank you, too, Mr Cook, for your continued support and all you do for schoolboy sport in KZN.
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“Finally, to my Mom and Dad: You have had a great influence on my life, you have supported me through thick and thin and I can always confide in you and count on you.
“You are on the side of the field supporting me in every match I have played in since junior school.
“I could not ask for more. Thank you Mom and Dad.”
Jono: Phew, I confess to misty eyes right now. Special words those, Jacques.
Best wishes for the December 10 to 14 National U17 Cricket Week, which is headquartered at Kearsney College.
See you there.
Lucienne (065 301 3095) will connect your way.
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