I sat on the Willowmoore Park main stand watching the future Proteas go toe-to-toe with a talented India U19 side in the first of three Youth ODIs on Saturday.

The visitors were led by the sensational Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who announced himself to the world last year by scoring a century for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, becoming the youngest centurion in the history of the premier T20 competition.

South Africa’s line-up featured future prospects like top-order batsman Jorich van Schalkwyk, Captain Muhammed Bulbulia, and Amaan Manack, with quicks JJ Basson, Bayanda Majola, and Ntando Soni leading the attack.

It was a quality contest — competitive, intense, and rich with promise — offering a tantalising glimpse of what awaits at the upcoming ICC U19 World Cup, set to be staged in Namibia and Zimbabwe next week.

Yet as the game unfolded, my thoughts kept drifting elsewhere, to the Eastern Storm U19 Women’s team that lifted the CSA U19 Week title in December. Their triumph came at a time when women’s cricket in South Africa is enjoying unprecedented momentum, fuelled by the Proteas Women’s recent success on the world stage.

Our young girls rose to the occasion, outdid themselves, and fully deserved the plaudits that followed, especially given the countless unseen hours of work behind the scenes.

That victory spoke volumes about the depth of talent in our region. While women’s cricket may not always command headlines, moments like these demand celebration. The coaches and every individual who played a role in that success deserve a sincere pat on the back for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that women’s cricket in Ekurhuleni doesn’t just survive, but thrives.

I also couldn’t help but think about the Fire and Fury T20 tournament staged in Springs last September and the role it played in this journey.

Held over two days and spiced up by an IPL-style auction led by elite players, the tournament provided something truly special — a platform. It gave every girl an opportunity to showcase her talent on a stage many never imagined they would compete on.

It was a competition designed to amplify women’s voices in the game, and one that proved just how powerful opportunity can be.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting Fire and Fury was the sole contributor to Eastern Storm’s success.

Easterns boasts a fiercely competitive women’s league, while the Schools SA20 has also played a pivotal role in exposing young talent. But the broader point remains: when administrators continue to do their part and invest meaningfully in the women’s game, the results follow.

If that momentum is sustained, promotion to the upper division is well within reach — and with it, the chance for our girls to test themselves against the very best in the country.

My hope is that the Eastern Cricket Union builds boldly on this success and channels it into a strong, competitive senior women’s side.

The foundation is there. Now is the time to build.

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