It takes a village to rear a cricketer: Tshepiso Motswi’s trailblazing triumph

The talented allrounder from Nkowankowa Hub hails from a village in Nwamitwa in rural Limpopo. She had never left her province before coming to Pretoria for the Switch Schools SA20 Finals held at Cricket SA’s High Performance Centre last week.

But instead of being over-awed by the occasion, not least with the competition being broadcast on SuperSport Schools, Motswi thrived under the immense pressure to win the Player and Batter of the Tournament. She also fell just one wicket shy of winning the Bowler of the Tournament prize.

It is a phenomenal achievement for a young girl who only picked up a cricket bat just over three years ago. In a rain-curtailed competition Motswi made the most of every opportunity, scoring 58 runs, taking wickets and three catches. “It feels really nice.

Last year we came to the finals and none of our players received rewards. So, to get two awards, it's good. I hope to play for the Proteas Women’s team one day,” said Motswi, who does not speak English, in her native XiTsonga. Nkowankowa Hub coach Blessing Mabunda is not only Motswi’s translator, but also mentor.

Mabunda is actively involved in developing cricketers from a young age in Limpopo and believes Motswi’s trailblazing performances will serve as inspiration to an entire generation of cricketers in the region.

“She only started playing cricket in 2022. She used to watch other kids practice there and when she saw other kids enjoying it, she also wanted to be part of the team, and that environment, so from there she came to practice.

“For us as a Hub, it's quite difficult being in Limpopo. We have two areas - the township and the villages - and she comes from a deep rural village.

“We don’t go outside looking for players. For the girls, cricket is a way out. She had never left Limpopo before, now is travelling all around South Africa because of cricket.

“Who would have thought a Tshepiso, a girl from the villages in Tzaneen, from a place where there is ‘so-called no hope’ to come here. For us, cricket its life!”

Motswi was among a host of players that thrived at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume 2 Finals. Mankwana Moriri scored a priceless 44 for Queens High School to lead the Johannesburg-based school to their maiden Switch Schools SA20 title after a thrilling six-run victory over Saints Christian School in the Girls final.

The Saints Christian team, who were spurred on by their vibrant supporters that had travelled all the way from Potchefstroom, were distraught after their second consecutive final defeat. They also lost to Steyn City in the inaugural final last year.

New winners were also crowned in the Boys competition with Jeppe Boys High completing the Gauteng double with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over St Andrews from Bloemfontien. Jeppe’s top-order batter Vegas Scott was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 45 in the final, while his Jeppe teammate Zizi Mkhize was named Player of the Tournament.

BOYS OVERALL AWARDS

Champions: Jeppe Boys High School

Runners-up: St Andrews Bloemfontein

Bowler of the Tournament: Erhard Barends (St Andrew's School Bloemfontein - 9 wickets)

Batter of the Tournament: Vegas Scott (Jeppe High School for Boys - 163 runs at 81.5 average)

Switch Player of the Tournament: Zizi Mkhize (Jeppe High School for Boys)

Spirit of Cricket Award: St Andrew's School Bloemfontein

GIRLS OVERALL AWARDS

Champions: Queens High School

Runners-up: Saints Christian School

Bowler of the Tournament: Bophelo Sothoane (Saints Christian School - 7 wickets)

Batter of the Tournament: Tshepiso Motswi (Nkowankowa Hub - 58 runs)

Switch Player of the Tournament: Tshepiso Motswi (Nkowankowa Hub - 58 runs, 6 wickets, 3 dismissals)

Spirit of Cricket Award: Saints Christian School