Head coach Kruger van Wyk has reiterated the University of Pretoria Cricket Club (Tuks) won’t necessarily rely on one or two standout performers during this month’s National Club Championship in Pretoria.
The 13-man squad boasts a wealth of first-class experience in Northerns quartet Wandile Makwetu, Ruben Trumpelmann, Migael Pretorius and Mitchell Van Buuren – and Titans franchise opener Tony de Zorzi.
Seamer Curtis Campher, batsman Jiveshan Pillay, 19-year-old Donovan Ferreira and others, meanwhile, highlight the inexperienced talent of a team eager to defend the tournament title secured last year.
“If we ever get to rely on one or two individuals to win a game for us, I would be a worried coach. For me, it will always be about the team. To be able to win means every player must give a 100 percent all the time,” said van Wyk.
“It does not matter whether we bat or bowl, we always go for the maximum, wanting to score as many runs as possible or get the wickets tumbling.”
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Van Wyk played nine Tests for New Zealand in 2012 before succeeding former head coach Pierre de Bruyn at Tuks in 2016 – and has had a particularly significant impact on Tuks wicketkeeper-batsman Rubin Hermann.
“The most important thing I learned from the coach is that no game is won or lost up until the last ball is bowled,” added Hermann.
“Our success is due to a sense of pride. If you get to play for Tuks, failure is never an option. Being so successful means that we have become the team that everyone wants to beat. However, we are not too fazed by it. We are used to the pressure.”
Tuks’ 2018 Club Championship campaign will get underway against Wellington Cricket Club on 22 April.