Former South African all-rounder and currently professional golfer Johan van der Wath has joined the hosting side, the NWU-Pukke, in their preparation for the build-up towards this year’s Varsity Cricket tournament which will start on the 30th of January.
Van der Wath is likely to be best known for his role in the historic 438 game when South Africa claimed a victory over Australia in their one-day international back in 2006 at Bidvest Wanderers.
But lucky enough for captain Wihan Lubbe and the rest of the NWU-Pukke squad, this world class cricketer has made Potchefstroom his second home for a few weeks to assist the boys by giving them helpful advice and some first-hand bowling tips.
“It’s my first time being involved in the Varsity Cricket. The platform is very good for the cricket discipline, as it develops club cricket much better. It’s definitely also a feeding source for higher levels of cricket,” said Van der Wath.
Van der Wath will focus on the NWU-Pukke’s bowling attack especially with the eye on the Power Play Plus over which is a unique over exclusive to Varsity Cricket.
The Power Play Plus over entails where the runs scored by the batting side will be doubled and added to the team’s extras. If a bowler manages to get a wicket during this over it will be deducted from the batting side’s score.
“We had one or two conversations about the Power Play Plus over. Our plan, as NWU-Pukke, is not to go too technical about it,” said Van der Wath.
“I don’t think a bowler should get too technical over the Power Play Plus over. It could make or break you as a team but I think as a bowler you mustn’t seek too much. As the NWU-Pukke side we do have one of two plans up our sleeves for that specific over,” added Van der Wath.
Speaking about the game plans of a T20 tournament Van der Wath said that the method to success lies in practicing and executing the basics.
“In any cricket format, there are no tricks to go about it. If you do the basics well, in the long run, you as a team will eventually get to the top,” said Van der Wath.
“I was a bit of an all-rounder, but more of a specialist bowler. I’ve also played in the different formats and everywhere in the world. I think that I can carry that information over to university cricket teams,” Van der Wath concluded.
The NWU-Pukke will start the Varsity Cricket tournament on Monday when they will take on the defending champions of 2016, UP-Tuks, at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
By Raynique Meyer
NWU-Pukke fixtures:
Monday, 30 January:
NWU-Puk vs UP-Tuks @ Senwes Park (14:30- 17:40)
Tuesday, 31 January:
NWU-Puk vs UCT @ Ibbies Oval (09:30-12:40)
NWU-Puk vs Madibaz @ Senwes Park (18:00- 21:10)
Wednesday, 1 February:
NWU-Puk vs UWC @ Senwes Park (18:00- 21:00)
Thursday, 2 February:
NWU-Puk vs Kovsies @ Ibbies Oval (14:00- 17:10)
Friday, 3 February:
NWU-Puk vs UJ @ NWU-Puk Oval (09:30- 12:40)
NWU-Puk vs Maties @Senwes Park (18:00-21:00)
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