Sahil Bramdhaw and Kananelo Mokoena were the big winners at the Actonville Spurs Cricket Club prize-giving, being named the club’s men’s and women’s players of the year at the Shree Benoni Gujarati Hindu Seva Samaj Hall on September 12.

Batting all-rounder Bramdhaw enjoyed an impressive debut season with Spurs, producing several match-winning performances in the Eastern Premier League. At the same time, Mokoena starred for the Eastern Storm Women and earned a place in the South Africa U19 women’s squad for the Patricia Kambarami Cup (PKC) in Nigeria in March.

Bramdhaw said the award was a fitting reward for a season in which he quickly established himself at the club after moving from Johannesburg and the Lions setup.

“It’s an awesome achievement to get in my first season in Actonville. I’m really chuffed it went well. Seasons don’t always go your way, but I’m really pleased that somehow it worked better,” he said.

The 25-year-old admitted adapting to the wickets and conditions in Ekurhuleni took some time, but said finding his feet was a turning point in his campaign.

“Coming from Johannesburg and the Lions, the wickets in Easterns are much different and I was able to adapt quite quickly to the conditions this side. It wasn’t easy at the start. It took me a few games to get used to things this side, but once I did, I was able to make it count.

“I took my opportunities with both bat and ball when I got in. I’m quite happy with how it went.”

His century against Bedfordview, a side Spurs had struggled to overcome, stood out as his defining performance.

“Bedfordview are a tough side with a good bowling attack. We hadn’t beaten them in a while and I think the 100 I got there is the one that stands out for me,” Bramdhaw said.

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Mokoena, meanwhile, capped a breakthrough season with international recognition after making her South Africa debut at the PKC in Nigeria.

The 17-year-old Wattville all-rounder claimed four wickets during the tournament, including 2/15 against Zimbabwe U19 Women, and said the experience helped build her confidence.

“At first I was really nervous because it was a new environment and I had to adapt to new conditions. I was playing with mature players, and I was able to showcase my talent,” she said.

Mokoena credited her teammates and coach Senzo Shongwe for helping her navigate the season’s challenges.

“It’s a big achievement. I put in a lot of work and although there were lots of setbacks, they didn’t define me. I was in a mindset where I would not let anything define who I am. I played well.”

Other Spurs players recognised included Khaya Majola, leading wicket-taker Abdullah Tadwala, and Kaylan Archery and Jaden Govender, who were acknowledged for making their Eastern Storm men’s senior team debuts.

Club chairman Nayan Parbhoo said the awards reflected the role Spurs plays beyond the cricket field.

“We are showing the community what the club is capable of. If you look at our community with all the social issues like substance abuse, it’s better to get the children playing cricket so that they have something to look forward to.”

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