Van Wyk gets dream move to Scotland
2004, there was a consistent sneering from predominantly white television commentators about his technique.
It was the same technique that ultimately saw Amla score a cumulative of 18 672 runs for the Proteas across all formats, which included a South African Test record of 311 not out.
Upon quitting the national captaincy in 2016 at Newlands after the same match in which Temba Bavuma became the first
Black African batsman to score a
Test century Amla stated back then already that he could relate to the unique pressures Bavuma felt every time he walked to the crease.
“Obviously personally, I know the pressure, what players of colour go through when they first come into the set-up – certainly in our country,” Amla told IOL Sport.
“So, it was emotional for a lot of us. I think a lot of us felt that like it was a victory for the Proteas in the sense that the team environment is in a very good space.
“We both have very similar careers – the first time we do play international cricket, everyone doubts you. Either because of the colour of your skin, even though you’ve got the stats to back it up domestically, everybody doubts you for various reasons.”
BANYANA Banyana captain Janine van Wyk says she can’t wait to play in the Uefa Champions League after putting pen to paper for Scottish club Glasgow City on Tuesday.
The hard working national captain told Independent Media that it has always been her dream to compete in one of the most highly rated club competitions around.
“I never thought that I’ll be in a team that will compete in the Uefa Champions League, even though that has always been my dream from a young age. But things change, here I am, fulfilling my dream. It is all about working hard every single day,” Van Wyk said.
“It will be amazing for me to compete in the Champions League. I want to help the club continue to win titles. I want to see us doing well. Hopefully I am able to contribute in helping them get further in the Champions League. They’ve done well to get to the quarter-finals. I hope to add a little bit of value and you never know what may come from it,” Van Wyk said.
In the past, Van Wyk has had stints in the US and Denmark, where she represented Houston Dash and Fortuna Hjorring respectively.
“They (Glasgow) have been champions for so many years. They have won the league 13 times in a row. It means they are a top club. They are a quality club that is obsessed with success which is what I’m about. I think I’ll contribute well enough in terms of them winning another league title.”
She said that negotiations started two weeks ago.
“I needed to make a decision on my playing career and what I was going to do because we don’t know what is happening with the football situation in the country. That’s the decision that I had to take for myself and my career.
“I’m not getting any younger, I needed to make sure of the time that I still have in my career. We got in touch via twitter. The club reached out to me. They happened to be looking for an experienced defender and they asked me if I’ll be interested in coming and playing abroad. Without any hesitation, I accepted it. I’m ready to go,” Van Wyk detailed.
The 33-year-old will be jetting out of the country at the end of the month.
“I’m still very young to retire. Before this came up, I had a plan to play for my football club (JVW FC). I want to make use of the playing time that I have left. I still feel good, strong and healthy. A lot of people thought I will stop after the World Cup. I’m still eager to play.”