Opener Jorich van Schalkwyk broke the record for the highest-ever individual score by a South Africa Under-19 (SA U19) player with his unbeaten 164 helping secure victory in the final game of their three-match Youth One-Day International (YODI) Series against Bangladesh in Benoni on Tuesday, 22 July.
The right-hander carried his bat in an electrifying 156-ball innings, which included 14 fours and fours sixes, to almost single-handedly lift the hosts to a 14-run consolatory win on the DLS Method after bad light brought a premature end to the contest at Willowmoore Park.
Van Schalkwyk’s exploits broke a record that had stood for 25 years as he toppled former Proteas batter Jacques Rudolph's 156* against Nepal in 2000.
The result also meant that the SA U19s at least managed to avoid a third straight loss and end the series strongly, despite going down 2-1 overall.
Coach Maketa targeting player exposure and growth
Speaking ahead of the series, head coach Malibongwe Maketa said he will be targeting player exposure and growth against Bangladesh.
We try as much as possible to expose them to different conditions so that they start their international base with a lot of exposure. For us as coaches, it (these series) allows us to get to know the players better and understand what areas to focus on in terms of their growth going forward.
We’ve been really lucky to have been able to take them to Namibia where we will be based, and then also taking them to Zimbabwe now is going to be great exposure for them because that is where the semi-finals and final will be.
Tri Series follows the three match series against Bangladesh
The SA U19’s will now focus on the tri-series that also involves Zimbabwe which is scheduled to take place from 25 July to 10 August, the next step towards their preparations for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 early next year.
SA U19 Men’s Squad
Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, KZN Inland), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), JJ Basson (Lions), Corne Botha (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Armaan Manack (Lions), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Vihan Pretorius (Titans), Ntando Soni (Warriors) and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).
YODI Tri-series Fixtures
- Friday, 25 July - Zimbabwe U19 vs South Africa U19 – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare;
- Saturday, 26 July - South Africa U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare;
- Monday, 28 July - Zimbabwe U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare;
- Tuesday, 29 July -Zimbabwe U19 vs South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare;
- Thursday, 31 July - Bangladesh U19 vs South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare;
- Friday, 01 August -Zimbabwe U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare;
- Monday, 04 August - Zimbabwe U19 vs South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare;
- Wednesday, 06 August -South Africa U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare;
- Friday, 08 August - Zimbabwe U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare;
- Sunday, 10 August – Final: Harare Sports Club, Harare
