Tuks’ cricket team capped a brilliant season last week, winning the National Club Championships by beating the University of Northwest.

“To be champions is a big thing for us as a university. We played against the best, and we won. As a coach, I am so proud. This will be forever remembered as one of the standout moments of Tuks Cricket,” said head coach, Kruger van Wyk after the final.

He said people expect TuksCricket to win trophies, but many might not know what it takes to do so.

“A season like this, where we have won every tournament we played, does not just happen. It has taken hours and hours of hard training and planning. It has genuinely been a team effort by players, coaches, administrators, and support personnel,” Van Wyk commented.

The coach compared this season’s heroics to that of 2018 and 2019, in which Tuks had won everything they could in a calendar year and in one season.

“This is the end of the road for many of our senior players like Jack Lees and Merrick Brett. What is exciting is that our younger players are already rising to the occasion,” continued Van Wyk.

Last week’s game in Groenkloof against Northwest University was an unofficial final. Tuks had won their first four games on the trot. Northwest only lost once, so they had to beat Tuks to have a chance of claiming the title.

It was a humdinger as it had become the norm when these two teams faced off.

Northwest batted first. Initially it seemed like a walk in the park for Tuks. Northwest was bowled out for 112 runs.

However, after six overs and with on 54/2, the men from Potchefstroom showed that they were not going to give up without a fight. In the next 12 overs, Tuks lost five wickets. With the UP men’s score on 95/7, it was all to play for. As they did in last year’s USSA final against Northwest, Matthew Boast (19* runs) and Merrick Brett (5* runs) weathered the storm and scored the winning runs.

Tuks’ top bowler, Schalk Engelbrecht, who took 3/24 in 10 overs, was the man of the match.

“To again be able to beat Northwest in a ‘final’ is special. But kudos to them. They are the team that keeps bringing the fight to us and never gives up,” said Engelbrecht after his performance.

He emphasized that credit should go to the coaching staff.

“Especially ‘Coach Kruger’, who has taught us to play with a winning mindset. He has ingrained in us that individuals do not win matches. He expects at least seven of us to step up during a game on any given day. So, when there is an opportunity to impact on the game, you make it count,” Engelbrecht remarked.

According to Engelbrecht, his role as a spin bowler is a challenge he relishes.

“I bring much energy to the team as I want to take wickets. It is essential to always be one step ahead of the batsman, sussing out their weaknesses,” he concluded.

Other teams that Tuks faced in the tournament were Maties (WP champions), Bohemians Cricket Club (Border champions), Kovises (Free State champions) and Crusaders Cricket Club (KwaZulu-Natal champions).

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