South Africa’s young u.19 side left the best for last when they beat England’s u.19 on their third attempt in the final of the Triangular Series on Sunday, 10 December.
In a pulsating encounter, SA managed to overcome their previous failings and notch up an important confidence boosting win as Jason Niemand took his side to the victory target of 260 with 3 balls to spare.
South Africa experienced an interesting series in Potch as they beat Namibia twice and lost twice to England, before getting a superb victory at the last stretch.
England batted first and made 259 all out, despite their openers, Savin Perera (20) and Liam Banks (51) getting off to a flying start with a 74-run partnership after the first 12 overs. Man of the Match, Jason Niemand (3/52) then got the all important breakthrough when he trapped Perera in front LBW.
The next crucial point in the match occurred when England captain, Harry Brook was run-out for an unlucky 13 thanks to the combination of Matthew Breetzke and Wandile Makwetu.
The pendulum then shifted to the hosts as England were on the ropes at 184/7. Tom Scriven though made a late charge for the visitors with the bat as he hit a defiant 53.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

Niemand, together with Jade de Klerk (2/47) were undoubtedly SA’s best bowlers and their accuracy and efficiency helped restrict England to a total that SA could chase.
SA started their reply well with their excellent openers, Breetzke and Jiveshan Pillay once again making a solid start with a 65 run partnership.
These two openers formed the rock of SA’s batting and they were without doubt two of the highlights during the series. Breetzke (39) though could not reach another half-century as Brook took a valuable wicket. At 69/2 some hard grafting and rebuilding had to be done and captain, Raynard van Tonder (34 off 57) and Hermann Rolfes (42 off 55) built a solid 60-run partnership.
With the score on 193/5, Niemand stepped into the pressure cauldron at Senwes Park and delivered a majestic batting display that definitely turned him into someone to keep an eye on.
His innings of 60 (53) was just the tonic SA needed as he showed that these young men have the guts and determination in big matches – no choking this time around.
England will look back at the tournament, knowing that on paper they should have gone to the ICC U.19 World Cup in New Zealand with a perfect unbeaten record. Still, despite the loss in the final, they played an exciting attacking brand of cricket and will be a force to be reckoned with in the World Cup.
South Africa, although going through some ups and downs in Potch, will need to streamline their match management and learn from their failures and successes against England and Namibia. If everything clicks then SA might have a chance to lift the World Cup Trophy.