Giyani teen selected for SA schools cricket squad

LIMPOPO – Murisi Rikhotso, a 16-year-old from Section F in Giyani, surprised many when she was named best bowler of the tournament at the CSA Girls U/19 Platinum League in North-West in December, despite her young age, and was subsequently selected for the SA schools team, the national u/19 girls’ squad.

A journey of playing beyond her age group

According to her coach, Dingani Mathonsi of the Giyani Cricket Hub, Rikhotso had only just turned 16 and was widely expected to struggle, as she was competing at the u/19 level against older and more experienced opponents rather than in her own age group.

However, despite the physical and mental demands of playing above her level, she defied expectations and proved her critics wrong by holding her own and succeeding.

“I never expected her to make an immediate impact. My view was that her selection into the tournament would mainly serve to groom her for future competitions, once she had matured a bit and gained more experience,” explained Mathonsi. “She was not only named the best bowler of the tournament but also selected for SA Schools Cricket, a South African u/19 squad, putting her on a pathway to possible future national selection if she continues with her strong performance,” he said.

Rikhotso has been playing at the local Giyani Cricket Hub since her younger years. She has consistently impressed coaches and teammates with her skill and determination.

“She has rarely competed in her own age group. By the age of 11, she was already playing in the u/16 category, which meant she skipped the u/13 level entirely. For this reason, we never expected her to succeed to such an extent or to be selected for the national u/19 girls’ squad,” he added.

Cricket as a path to a better future

Now that Rikhotso is part of the CSA girls’ squad, her long-held ambition of representing South Africa on the international stage is closer to becoming a reality.

With her inclusion placing her firmly on the national pathway, the prospect of featuring at the upcoming Cricket World Cup is no longer a distant dream but an achievable goal, provided she continues to develop and maintain her impressive form.

“My ultimate goal is to play for the national cricket team at the international level. I want to represent South Africa with pride, compete against the best players in the world, and continue working hard to earn my place on the global stage,” she said.

For Rikhotso, cricket is far more than just a sport; it represents a lifeline and a chance to transform her future and uplift her family. She explained that the situation at home is currently difficult, and she sees cricket as an opportunity to build a successful career in sport.

Through her dedication and hard work, she hopes to one day become a professional cricketer and use her success to improve her family’s living conditions.

“No one in her home is employed; they rely on social grants,” said her coach. “That’s why, before she went to the tournament, we asked the parents of other kids to donate clothes, sleeping gowns, and other essentials to help her feel like the other children while she was there,” said her coach, highlighting that she indeed comes from a poor family.