Keep an eye out for big performances from these players during the 2018 National Club Championship in Pretoria this month.
Zakhele Qwabe (Wellington Cricket Club): Largely overshadowed at franchise level by the promising Mthiwekhaya Nabe of late, the right-arm medium-pacer will be determined to show his Cape Cobras career isn’t necessarily over yet, by putting in a string of strong showings in Pretoria.
Tony de Zorzi (University of Pretoria Cricket Club): Captain of South Africa at the 2015 Under-19 World Cup and more recently tasked with opening the batting for the Titans in the absence of Test cricketers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar, the talented left-hander should be the mainstay of the Tuks batting order.
Janneman Malan (North-West University Cricket Club): The younger brother of Cape Cobras and South African A star Pieter Malan, the 22-year-old right-hander played some franchise cricket for the Lions this season – and is tipped to match, if not better, the success of his older sibling.
Grant Mokoena (Yorkshire Cricket Club): With a full season for the Knights – at first-class, List A and T20 level – drawn to a close, and with former Proteas batsman Loots Bosman by his side, the hard-hitting right-hander can inspire his community club against the university clubs in particular.
Calvin Savage (Crusaders Cricket Club): The recent recipient of a maiden first-class century for the Dolphins in the Sunfoil Series and a telling five-wicket haul for KwaZulu-Natal in the Sunfoil 3-Day Cup final, the dynamic all-rounder will be key to the Durban-based outfit’s campaign.
Bamanye Xenxe (University of Fort Hare Cricket Club): A key part of the Eastern Cape unit’s win over Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Cricket Club (Madibaz) in the regional play-off, the right-arm seamer will benefit entirely from having former Proteas fast bowler Mfuneko Ngam as a coach at the tournament.