One of the North West Dragons favourite sons played a captain’s knock of the highest order this past weekend (2-4 November) in a Sunfoil 3-Day series match against Northern Cape at Senwes Park to deservedly engrave his name into the record books.
Kagiso “Jonty” Rapulana hit the first ever double century for North West in this format with a masterful innings of 259* (307) in the sweltering heat. Rapulana, who is short in stature, batted for 407 minutes in a towering knock that included 30 fours and five sixes. He played every shot out of the coaching textbook as his teammates applauded the momentous effort in setting up North West’s first innings score of 576/4 declared.

‘Normally when you get to a hundred you get to see the ball a lot better. Janneman (Malan) and Wihan (Lubbe) are both naturally attacking players so it made me more comfortable to play my natural game. It was a big relief to score my first double century. It is a massive landmark and it has not really sunk in yet,’ said a delighted Rapulana.

See the photos here: Photos: Wouter Pienaar

The Dragons’ batsmen cashed in on Senwes Park’s batting paradise with Wihan Lubbe hitting a 150* (130) in a 328 run partnership with his captain. Janneman Malan (75) and Marques Ackerman (52) also hit half centuries to pile the misery on the men from Kimberley. It was however not enough to secure a win as Northern Cape held on for a draw on the final day with resilient batting. Former Dragons batsman, Grant Mokoena, returned to Potch, to frustrate the hosts on Saturday with a patient 75 (153). He had good support from Keegan Petersen who hit 61* (155).

The Dragons though had a fantastic chance to win the match after they bowled out Northern Cape for 262 and enforced the follow on shortly thereafter. It was however not to be as North West could not gain wickets at vital times. The bowling of Johannes Diseko (4/47) and André Malan (3/39) must be commended in the first innings. The Dragons then upped the ante in Sunday’s CSA Provincial One Day Match against Northern Cape with a commanding 219 run victory. Janneman Malan’s 169 set up the win and together with Ruan Haasbroek’s 78, they plundered the visitor’s attack to all corners of the ground.

Northern Cape also had no answer with the bat as Jovaun van Wyngaardt (3/17) and Dyllan Matthews (3/16) made light work of their batting order to round off a superb weekend for North West Dragons.
‘Overall, this was one of our best games and weekends for sure. As captain, I am extremely proud of my team and the effort we put in to achieve these results,’ said Rapulana.

Results

Sunfoil 3-Day Cup: North West vs Northern Cape

North West – First innings – 576/4d (101.3 overs)
•Kagiso Rapulana *259 (307)
•Wihan Lubbe *150 (130)
•Mbulelo Budaza 2/77 (15.0)
Northern Cape – 262(79 overs) (First innings)
•Aubrey Swanepoel 71 (92)
•Johannes Diseko 4/47 (24.0)
Northern Cape – 198/3 f/o(72 overs)
•Grant Mokoena 75 (153)
•Brady Barends 1/28 (13.0)
Match drawn
CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge
North West – 328/8(50 overs)
•Ruan Haasbroek 78 (82)
•Janneman Malan 169 (142)
•Mbulelo Budaza 3/56 (8.0)
Northern Cape – 109(28.5 overs)
•Jacques Snyman 39 (48)
•Jovaun van Wyngaardt 3/17 (5.0)
•Dyllan Matthews 3/16 (3.5)
North West win by 219 runs