It’s time for big sixes, countless fours, exciting Powerplays and wickets tumbling as we reach the semi-finals of this year’s Varsity Cricket tournament in Potchefstroom.
This year the standard of cricket has risen as we welcome our top four teams to compete against each other for the honoured title to be crowned the champions of 2017.
Maties versus UP-Tuks
In this year’s tournament the Powerplay Plus over plays an exceptional role and could just be the game changer for any team. UP-Tuks is an example of using this unique over to their advantage as they clinched a win over Maties in round five to beat them by two wickets in their last match.
It’s in Maties’ character to come back strong after a defeat. If the men from Stellenbosch manage to gain momentum against UP-Tuks, as they did against NWU-Pukke in round five, they will be favourites to go through to the finals.
The match between Maties and UP-Tuks will take place at Senwes Park at 09:00.
NWU-Pukke versus UJ
The last encounter between these two sides will have the men from the University of Johannesburg a bit anxious as they face the NWU-Pukke at Senwes Park at 13:00. The home side smashed UJ as they defeated them in round five with a Varsity Cricket record of the biggest score (252) to chase.
As the two chief destroyers, batsmen Wihan Lubbe and Janneman Malan will step onto the field as opening pair in the semi-finals, it will be their primary task to book a spot for the NWU-Pukke at the final.
But with the likes of Stefan Kloppers, Ryan Rickelton and Delano Potgieter, the men in orange will hope to go into this upcoming semi-final on a clean slate in the hunt for some rhythm and momentum to give the home side a run for their money.
The match between the NWU-Pukke against UJ will take place at Senwes Park at 13:00.
By Raynique Meyer
