His skill with a football and educated left foot dazzles the eye, but it is with a red ball in his hand that the real magic happens for THS Potchefstroom’s sporting sensation, Karabelo Matlawe.
Time and time again, Karabelo represents THS Potchefstroom’s first soccer and cricket teams with distinction. This team player showcases his appetite for sport each time he laces up his boots.
“I really like the tempo and skill level of football and the team aspect of it. Everyone needs to contribute,” says Karabelo who plays left-back or left-wing for THS’ first soccer team. The side recently won the New Vision Soccer League.
“That was a fantastic win for our team. We wanted to play for each other and our badge and attitude were the difference on the day,” he adds.
Karabelo’s sporting talent and love for the game came at an early age when he received his first gift – a soccer ball – at the age of 6. “I played soccer with my friends on the streets of Khuma every day. That was the only sport I knew for three years before one of the coaches in Khuma introduced me to cricket. I was 10 when I first played cricket and I’ve been in love with this sport ever since,” says Karabelo.
Karabelo represented the SA Academy u.15 cricket side last year. He gained a lot of experience from this national adventure, although he wanted to achieve more personal goals.
“I did not perform as well as I wanted, but I know what to do and what to practise the next time I get selected at that level,” he adds.
He is now in grade 11 at school. Karabelo currently represents THS’ first cricket team and is also the captain of the side – usually leading by example with bat and ball. This learner is a wily leg-spin bowler and a more than capable wicket-taker with 5/25 best figures against Hoërskool Wesvalia.
He can also wield the willow, as his top score of 72 against Wesvalia attests. “This season, we are playing in the North West Super A-league, so we are finding it tough against some stiff competition. We have also included a few grade 8s, so we sometimes lack experience, but we play with heart,” he says.
“I would like to play semi-professional or professional cricket one day. That is the dream but I know that it is tough. That is why I also want to further my studies after school. My first choice would be architecture. I’m also looking into real estate and business.”
