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TimesLIVE
14-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Brevis fires as Proteas cruise to victory in Tri-Series opener against Zim
Dewald Brevis clubbed a breezy 41 as the Proteas eased to a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their Tri-Series opener at the Harare Sports Club on Monday afternoon. Brevis faced only 17 balls and smashed five sixes and a four, while Ruben Hermann added 45 runs on debut as the Proteas reached their target of 142 with 25 balls to spare. The Proteas' innings got off to a shaky start with Lhuan-dre Pretorius sent packing by Richard Ngavara, caught and bowled with the first legitimate ball of the innings. Pretorius was playing his T20I debut. Left-arm medium pacer Ngavara was on the money again in his second over when he had Reeza Hendricks chop a delivery onto his middle stump for 17. Rubin Hermann put in some big hits on his @ProteasMenCSA debut ๐๐ฟ๐ฆ #SAvZIM | #SSCricket โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) July 14, 2025 Trevor Gwandu caused more damage and further wobbled the Proteas in the run chase in the fifth over when he got big fish Rassie van der Dussen for 16, leaving the Proteas on 38/3. Brevis and Hermann then rescued the ship for the Proteas with their hard-hit 72-run partnership, with Brevis particularly devastating. But with just 30 runs required, Brevis miscued a Gwandu ball to Brian Bennett at extra cover. Ngavara then came back to uproot Hermann's off stump to make it 130/5 in the 15th over before Corbin Bosch led the team home with an unbeaten 23. Earlier, Sikandar Raza played a captain's knock to help Zimbabwe reach their total of 141 for six. He scored an unbeaten 54 runs off 34 balls, which included three boundaries and two sixes. His innings, combined with a 66-run partnership with Ryan Burl, saved the Chevrons' innings. ๐๐ก๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ โก There's always action when he has ball in hand ๐ฎโ๐จ๐ฟ๐ฆ #SAvZIM | #SSCricket โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) July 14, 2025 The Proteas bowlers started the innings on a good note after skipper Van der Dussen won the toss and elected to field first. They restricted Zimbabwe to 34/1 after the first power play. Lungi Ngidi claimed the scalp of Wessly Madhevere (1) in the second over, when the batter stood on his wicket. Two overs after the first power play, and in his first over, Proteas wrist spinner Nqaba Peter rattled Clive Mandade's (8) stumps. Brian Bennett, who shared a 31-run stand with Mandande, followed to the dressing room for 30, leaving the home side in a spot of bother on 55 runs for three wickets halfway through their innings. Bennett was deceived in the air by George Linde and holed out to Reeza Hendricks, who was stationed a few metres inside the fence at deep midwicket. Victory for the @ProteasMenCSA in Harare ๐๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa defeat Zimbabwe in their Tri-Series opener with five overs to spare ๐ #SAvZIM | #SSCricket โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) July 14, 2025 Raza and Burl then started to pick up the pieces with their stand. Their running between the wickets was carried out with urgency and their shot selection was precise. They ensured their team made it past the 100-run mark with five overs remaining. Raza was more of the aggressor, reaching his 14th career T20 fifty, and at the time Zimbabwe were looking at a total above 150. But that tempo dropped after Burl was dismissed by Nandre Burger for 29 runs off 20 balls. He was caught at long-on by Ruben Hermann after failing to clear the ropes. In the last over, Linde picked up the wicket of Tashinga Musekiwa for nine runs and removed Tony Munyonga for a golden duck. He finished with the economic figures of three wickets for only 10 runs in his three overs. New Zealand are the other side in the series and they play their first fixture against SA on Wednesday (1pm). Daily Dispatch

IOL News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springboks beat Italy: Who said what after scrappy Loftus Test
Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk was pleased with his comeback to international rugby. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers There was plenty of reaction after the Springboks' scrappy victory over Italy. Here is what was said at Loftus after the dust had settled. Springboks captain Jesse Kriel on their struggles at against Italy at the breakdown "We knew from the beginning of the week that it would be a tough battle. We know the Italians are a passionate rugby nation and they showed that tonight," Kriel told SuperSport TV after the match. "It was a tough Test match, but I was happy with the win. But there is a lot to work on. In the first half we started pretty strong, but in the second half they defended like their lives depended on it. "We let ourselves down at the breakdown a bit. I thought they slowed our ball down quite well - we obviously wanted to attack off quick ball." Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg on scoring two tries and playing behind the Bok pack "It was special to do that (score a brace) and I'm very happy with the victory. It's truly amazing. It's my first time playing here (at Loftus) for the Boks and I must say it's something unbelievable," Van den Berg told SuperSport TV after the match. "Unbelievable. To see those boys do their work, it's a massive privilege to be here, I got the best view in the house. It's a real privilege." Faf de Klerk on his Springboks comeback and Van den Berg's performance "It's an amazing honour and a blessing. I really enjoyed it. Obviously just grateful to be back in the set-up and hopefully we can string a lot more good performances together," De Klerk told SuperSport TV. "Morne is a fantastic player, I'm just happy he is taking the opportunities he is getting. He is doing really well for the Lions and showing his quality now. "He is a great guy and he wants to learn. It's always great to have such a guy in the squad. "I think there is going to be disappointment after tonight's performance. There was a lot of good stuff and a few bad things, things we can work on. "Credit to Italy, they really made it hard for us, especially at the breakdown. I thought their forwards were phenomenal tonight and it's something we must look at in the coming week before the next Test."

TimesLIVE
03-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
He's joined Kallis, but Bosch is still more interested in bowling fast
Being mentioned in the same breath as Jacques Kallis may be 'super special,' but Corbin Bosch still views bowling fast as his main role in any team for which he is selected. Bosch joined Kallis on a list of just four South African cricketers to score a century and take five wickets in an innings in the same Test. The great all-rounder performed the feat twice. 'He [Kallis] was pretty much the 'goat' [greatest of all time] in South African cricket. It is an honour to be mentioned in the same sentence as Jacques. It is super special,' Bosch said. The 30-year-old, playing in just his second Test, scored an unbeaten 100 on the first day in Bulawayo and then claimed 5/43 in Zimbabwe's second innings, helping the Proteas to a 328-run victory. It's been a whirlwind few months for Bosch, who went from making his ODI debut just before Christmas, to then starting the Boxing Day Test, earning an Indian Premier League contract and then being included in the squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Corbin Bosch ๐ฏ๐ His maiden Test century propels the @ProteasMenCSA 's lead to more than 400 ๐๐ #SSCricket #ZIMvSA โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) June 29, 2025 'I was speaking to my mom the other day and saying, I need to pinch myself that everything is real. I've had a magical few months,' said Bosch. 'I've played some really good cricket, I've surrounded myself with some pretty good people who have guided me and pushed me, even when times were tough. I knew that eventually when the opportunity came I would grab it with both hands and fortunately for me, the rub of the green has gone my way so far, and hopefully it will continue.' Bosch had a stunning introduction to Test cricket, dismissing Pakistan captain Shan Masood with his first ball at SuperSport Park last summer. After taking 4/63, he then smashed an unbeaten 81 off only 93 balls. His statistics after two Tests are surreal, a batting average of 108.50 and a bowling average of 19.50. Despite his success with the bat, Bosch remains clear about what his main role is. 'I love my batting, but my DNA is fast bowling. As much as I enjoy batting, I love bowling that much more.' Though Bosch has certainly made an impact in the two matches he's played, he's not guaranteed a starting spot when front-line players like Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen return. 'We are in a fortunate position, that there is good and healthy competition in South Africa,' said Bosch. 'It forces the guys at the top to be at their best. I don't know where I stand in the pecking order. But that doesn't bother me, if I represent my country I will give it my best.' "๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐" ๐ค๐ฅ Corbin Bosch gets his five-for as the @ProteasMenCSA edge closer to victory โก ๐บ Stream #ZIMvSA on DStv: โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) July 1, 2025 He told coach Shukri Conrad during the South African training camp at Arundel before the WTC final that he wanted to make his job as hard as possible when it came to selection. Though Bosch didn't start at Lord's he had several stints in the field, and getting to watch up close how some of the best players performed under pressure was inspirational. 'Being able to watch the guys live, a lot of the time you get fooled by what you see on TV, but watching people operate in person makes you appreciate how good people really are,' said Bosch. 'Watching at Lord's inspired me; watching KG [Radaba] and the Australian bowlers and how they went about their business was incredibly special. It made me realise how good these guys really are, competing with the best in the world. It made me believe that, 'cool, that's where I aspire to be in my cricket career'.'

TimesLIVE
16-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Proteas triumph shows the importance of a fairer international schedule
South Africa's glorious championship-winning moment at Lord's came against backdrop of concerns about the Test format, that should provide food for thought for the International Cricket Council and particularly the sport's three wealthiest nations, India, Australia and England. Proteas players and coaches have made clear that they want to compete in more Tests. 'It's always been my most important and favourite format,' said Aiden Markram, the player of the match in the five-wicket World Test Championship final victory over Australia. 'Naturally, playing fewer games is not really on us, it's just sort of the cards you get dealt. But it's really important, in my opinion, to keep Test cricket as the number one in South Africa.' Markram and others in the Proteas set up have made clear that they understand the dynamics of the international calendar, which in the last few years has been dominated by series's between England, India and Australia. India, faced Australia Down Under last year in a five match series that drew enormous crowds and are due to face England later this week in another five match series. A ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ for South African sport ๐ฅณ๐ฟ๐ฆ #SSCricket | #WTC25 โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 England head to Australia at the end of the year for the Ashes, another series comprising five matches. South Africa meanwhile, don't play a Test at home again until September next year. The feast that follows this summer's famine, will include eight Tests in 2026/27, with three match series's against both England and Australia. 'The schedule is what it is, we'd love to play more red ball cricket,' said Proteas skipper, Temba Bavuma. However, the absence of Tests this year, is because of two lengthy back to back tours to Pakistan and India, that starts in October and ends in India in December. With another edition of the T20 World Cup also scheduled for next February, Cricket SA, has shifted the start of the SA20 to Boxing Day. That decision has drawn criticism, but CSA which is a majority shareholder in the tournament, wants to continue to prioritise it, because of its growing economic importance to the sport in the country. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, while continuing to advocate for Test cricket, has also made it clear, cricket would almost cease without the SA20. Those economic realities don't worry the Big three. And because in the last few years they've scheduled even more matches against one another, the already shrinking period for Test cricket becomes even smaller. "๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐!" ๐ฅณ๐ถ #SSCricket | #WTC25 โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 It's what made the comments from former England captain Michael Vaughan and former Australian coach Darren Lehmann so galling when they criticised the teams the Proteas beat to reach the WTC final. 'I can promise you now that we'd love to play against everybody more often, especially if there's some big money series so that we can also make some money,' said Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince Conrad was characteristically forthright about the scheduling. 'We play whatever is put in front of us. There are a lot of things we'd like, but we can't get,' Conrad said as the confetti rained down on him at Lord's. 'We play the cards we are dealt. And then, it's not what you're dealt, it's how you play those cards. We have done that nicely thusfar.' It is up to the ICC and the 'Big three' to ensure there is a fairer schedule and that matches and series' involving them aren't the only Test cricket that is played. 'I want people to fall in love with first class and Test cricket again. And they will,' said Conrad. 'The spin-offs are immense. T20, the most popular format, benefits if you have a strong first class system, and a strong Test team.'

TimesLIVE
15-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
A win for more than just South African cricket
Unadulterated joy. Administrators sharing hugs with players and coaches on the outfield at Lord's. Ex-captains embraced players from the current generation. There were tears. Lot's of tears. 'This is so, so big. There's been so much pain,' said Mohammed Moosajee, Cricket SA's vice-president and for almost two decades the Proteas team manager. 'All those World Cups, all that pain, this all worth it.' 'We've got one, we've got it,' said the organisation's CEO Pholetisi Moseki, who hugged everyone in sight. As Kyle Verreynne and David Bedingham knocked off the last six runs, Graeme Smith, came down to the boundary edge and fist-pumped for a group of South Africa spectators. Shaun Pollock received a standing ovation from the vast swathes of green and gold clad supporters in the Mound Stand. A ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ for South African sport ๐ฅณ๐ฟ๐ฆ #SSCricket | #WTC25 โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 Jerusalema blared from the speakers at Lord's, followed by Nkalakatha. It felt like South Africa had finally taken over cricket. It's been a long and painful road, littered with miss-steps. Some small, too many big โ both on the field and especially off it. Cricket SA's focus, which for too many administrators over the years, has been inward-looking, for now has tangible evidence of the work done โ mainly by players and coaches โ since the dark days of 2019. For the administrators on the Lord's outfield, it is again the players who have set the example. South Africa's victory held huge importance for the international game too. Much was made of South Afreica's path to the final and that they didn't face Australia or England. But with a calendar dominated by the Big Three, especially in Tests, this success offered a reminder of what the rest of the world has to offer. "๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐!" ๐ฅณ๐ถ #SSCricket | #WTC25 โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 'I think this is inspiring from a lot of angles,' said Temba Bavuma. 'I know that a lot of the other nations, the so-called smaller nations, would have been supporting us in our quest. As a team, our responsibility is always to be as competitive as possible. 'We want to play more, we want to play more Test cricket and we want to play against the bigger nations.' "They always know better than the coaches anyway." ๐คฃโค๏ธ There's something special about this @ProteasMenCSA outfit ๐ #SSCricket | #WTC25 โ SuperSport ๐ (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 The 2027 World Cup is a major goal for the Proteas, and while this triumph was in a different format, it marks an important step on that journey. 'Hopefully this is the start of winning more trophies for the team,' Bavuma said. 'Next year, the guys go to the T20 World Cup, so Aiden and his boys, we will be supporting them to follow suit. But that 2027 World Cup, a lot of us want to be there.' 'We need to be fit to be there first. I'll definitely be putting up my hand to be a part of that group.' More than six hours after the winning runs were hit, the entire squad returned to the middle of Lord's to sing the team song. 'TO THE TEAM,' they screamed. 'TO THE TEAMโฆ..PROTEEEAAAS!'