Phemelo Sepati is one of Potchefstroom’s brightest young cricket talents. This 16-year-old is a learner at HTS Potchefstroom and also plays club cricket for Ikageng Cricket Club in the North West Premier League. Sepati has also represented North West at u.13 and u.15 national weeks respectively. Potch Herald decided to find out more about this young and aspiring cricketer.
School: HTS Potchefstroom
Best bowling figures: 4/16 in 7 overs for Ikageng Cricket Club.
Best batting: 118*
Best performance: ‘Scoring 118 for HTS Potchefstroom against Hoërskool Wesvalia in a North West School’s league match.’
Highlight of the year: ‘Scoring 63 not out against a strong Volkies bowling attack this year. It is tough to play against the bigger men in club cricket but it gets better and I am getting more used to it every week.’
Batting or bowling? ‘I started off as a bowler and I still enjoy bowling, but nowadays batting is what I like the most.’
How did your passion for cricket develop? ‘I didn’t always have a passion for cricket. I used to be very passionate about music and I was very excited about it. I used to play the saxophone but they stopped the music programme. I then needed to do something on Saturdays so I decided to play cricket from 12 years old.
Favourite school subject? Natural Science
Lessons that you learned from sports? ‘I had issues with my behaviour but since I’ve started playing sport my behaviour has changed. I have respect for everyone around me.’
What makes Potchefstroom unique and where is your favourite place in town? Senwes Park, it has such great cricketing facilities.
Five items you would never leave home without? A ball, tekkies, a cap, a bag and a book and a pen to write stuff down that I am working on.
Who are your heroes? I have two heroes, Mr Willie de Villiers, the principal of Potch Primary. He changed my life. He pushed me when I didn’t believe in myself. My second hero is coach William Molewa at Ikageng Cricket Club.
Three things that make you happy? Food, seeing someone with a passion for cricket and school.
Three things that irritate you?
I don’t like people would drag people down. I don’t like people who lie to me and I really get irritated when cricket games are cancelled.
Describe your family?
I have three brothers, Bonolo, Thabang and Tumelo.
KFC or Pizza?
Pizza
Ice cream or jelly sweets?
Jelly Sweets
20 overs or 50 over?
20 overs
Hat-trick or a six?
Hat-trick
Favourite ball to bowl?
Yorker
Three bowlers you would never want to bat against?
Jimmy Anderson, Shane Warne and Kagiso Rabada
One batsman you would love to bowl out?
David Warner