The 2024 CSA Cubs Week saw the Western Legends take on the top school cricketers in the country, during this action-packed cricket week from 5-9 January in Stellenbosch.
The Western Legends side is made up of North West, Free State and Northern Cape players that featured at the 2023 Khaya Majola week from 16-20 December.
They faced the Coastal Conquerors, Southern Superstars, Eastern Warriors, Northern Champions and Central Gladiators.
North West had five players who were selected for the Western Legends Cubs. They are Ludwich Schuld (Volkies), Mohammed Bulbulia (Fields College), Thuto Matjoi (Matlosana), Olefa Padi (Volkies) and Caiden Seleka (Gimmies).
Schuld was one of the standout players for North West at the Khaya Majola Week alongside, Mohammed Bulbulia. Schuld was chosen for the SA Schools side for a second time in a row, whilst Bulbulia was chosen for the SA Colts side.
Both also starred for the Western Legends during the Cubs Week, enhancing their reputation as exciting young talents.
Schuld scored four half-centuries in total and amassed 291 runs at an average of 58.2. He was also the second leading run-scorer in the Cubs Week.
His 78 against the Conquerors saw his side pick up their first win of the week with a 4-wicket victory.
The Western Legends chased down 257/8 through a great team effort in the chase. Thuto Matjoi also scored a solid 52, whilst Caiden Seleka contributed a handy 42.
The Western Legends went down to a strong Southern Superstars team by 89 runs, even though Schuld made a valiant 61. The Southern Superstars scored 268 thanks to a fantastic 103 from Paul James. The Western Legends were bowled out for 179 as they fell short against top bowling.
Bulbulia showcased his class with a 71 against the Central Gladiators in the Western Legends score of 216/4, but they still had to end on the losing end after the Gladiators chased down the score with four wickets remaining Luke Francis with 78, Tasheen Hanslo with 72 and Tjaart Mentz with an unbeaten 25 took the men from Gauteng over the line.
The Western Legends almost served up a shock win against eventual title winners, the Northern Champions in a tight contest that they lost by 11 runs.
Schuld (63) and Bulbulia (61) were once again at the forefront with an opening partnership of 104-runs, but a batting collapse saw the Legends fall short of the 231-run target.
Dakalo Leketa (26) and Olefa Padi (15*) almost achieved the target with a 36-run last wicket-partnership.
It was not to be as Divan de Villiers disturbed Leketa’s off-stump in the 48th over of the innings to end a thrilling contest.
Schuld ended the tournament with another half-century (52) against the Eastern Warriors. The Western Legends though went down by 28 runs in the final encounter of the week.
