De Bruyn delighted with Knights four-day success
KNIGHTS captain Theunis de Bruyn has attributed their success in winning the Sunfoil Series to the character and camaraderie within the squad after they were crowned 2016/17 fourday champions on Saturday.
The Central franchise beat the Highveld Lions by an innings and 121 runs to seal a first firstclass title in nine years. They were known as the Eagles when they won their only previous championship back in 2007/08 season.
De Bruyn, 24, was captaining a franchise for the first time in his young career when he took over the reins at the start of the term, but has shown immense potential as a leader.
“It’s been a rollercoaster ride considering all the ups and downs, the rained out games, playing poorly, but I just think about this game and the first game, the way we rolled the opposition under difficult circumstances,” he said after their win at the Wanderers. We’ve shown real character and to lift this trophy after a few months of cricket, it’s a massive privilege.”
The Knights won four out of their 10 games through the term, drawing three and losing two, while once match was abandoned.
While De Bruyn, who was called up by the Proteas, provided most of their runs with his aggregate of 751 seeing him end third on the overall list, it was their bowling that was the big difference.
Duanne Olivier – the only 50-wicket man this term with 52 dismissals – made his Test debut on account of his form. He was well supported by the likes of Marchant de Lange (34) and Shadley van Schalkwyk (29). The other key man with the bat has been wicketkeeper Rudi Second (684). – ANA
Titans chase down Warriors total
A MAGNIFICENT unbeaten century by Heino Kuhn formed the backbone for a record chase for the Titans as they ended the Sunfoil Series with a consolation four-wicket win over the Warriors late on the final day of their clash in Benoni yesterday.
The veteran opener made 165 not out as the hosts chased down 316, which was their highestever fourth innings total. The outgoing champions had already surrendered their four-day crown to the Knights the day before, but showed plenty of fight to ensure they bowed out on a high at Willowmoore Park.
The bedrock of their win was Kuhn, but the foundation on the final day came from an opening partnership of 113. Proteas opener Dean Elgar was the partner for Kuhn during that partnership after he made 58. There was then a slight wobble from the Titans’ middle-order as three wickets fell for 22 leaving them on 271-6 and just the tail to come. But Man-of-the-Match, Shaun von Berg, provided support for Kuhn through his unbeaten 35. – ANA
Death of former All Black Lauaki
NEW Zealand and Pacific Rugby mourned the passing of former All Black and Chief Sione Lauaki, aged 35. Lauaki, who had been
suffering with liver problems, died in Auckland yesterday.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew expressed his condolences to the family.
“It is always sad to lose a member of the All Black community, but with Sione passing at such a young age, it will be felt with an even greater sense of tragedy among his former teammates, fans, family and friends.”
Sione Lauaki played 17 Test matches for the All Blacks between 2005 and 2008. – ANA
Highlands, Polokwane draw
A SECOND half injury time equaliser by Sipho Jembula, earned Polokwane City a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Highlands Park, in yesterday’s PSL match in Tembisa.
It took the hosts just two minutes to open the scoring when Namibian Peter Shalulie’s right-footed strike had the beating of City’s Zimbabwean goalkeeper George Chigova with the cross coming from Charlton Mashumba.
Just when Highlands coach Gordon Igesund thought that his team was going to record their third win of the season, City winger Jembula leftfooted home his fourth goal of the season to break the hearts of the Highlands fans. – ANA
Van Rooyen wins play-off
ERIK van Rooyen hit his approach to inside a foot in the first hole of a three-way play-off yesterday to set himself up for birdie and victory in the R1.5 million Eye of Africa PGA Championship.
He finished regulation play with a birdie on 18, too, to finish on 16-under for the tournament together with Dylan Frittelli and Makhetha Mazibuko, who narrowly missed a par-putt on 18 in regulation which would have given him the victory. Last year’s runner-up Dean Burmester finished fourth after a disappointing round of oneover 73.
The victory was the first in his Sunshine Tour career which stretches back to 2013 when he gained his card at the Qualifying School. “It’s hard to describe,” he said of his feelings after the win. “I’ve worked really hard with a big group of people – sports psychologists, a trainer, a swing coach, whatever – for the last 10 or 15 years, and to finally get the win. “– ANA