CRICKET LEINSTER SOUTH AFRICA YOUTH TOUR (FEBRUARY 2025)

The recent Leinster Under 16 Boys Tour to South Africa was a huge success for everyone involved with all returning home with memories that will last a lifetime.

Cricket Leinster is very appreciative of the support provided by our key contacts in the Johannesburg area who helped make it such a good trip with many favours provided in terms of fixtures and use of school facilities for training purposes. In particular, Adi Norris and St John’s College were most accommodating to Leinster during the week and of course St Stithians College who hosted us for the latter part of the trip.

A mention to Clement Machachi who assisted with the coaching throughout the week and Itai Mapanzure and Abraham Nare who umpired and scored respectively at the three Leinster games. We were happy to engage their services.

A further mention to Irishman John Robbie who was so generous with his time speaking so passionately to the squad about what to expect during their stay in South Africa. John has 44 years’ experience of living in South Africa and was able to give a full account of the country, both past and present which was a great insight for our squad.

SJ De Klerk was another who spent time with the touring squad to talk all things South Africa. SJ is a former Leinster Under 15 and KwaZulu Natal Under 17 captain who  played with both Malahide and YMCA during his time in Ireland. His brother Wilhelm now lives in Belfast and is a contracted, professional rugby player with Ulster.

Finally, the biggest thank you to the tour players.  The boys were a credit to their families, their clubs and Cricket Leinster.  Like those who have gone before them including David Delany, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Josh Little, Harry Tector and Ben White from the 2014 tour, we hope that this group continue to grow and progress as cricketers.

Match results from the week are as follows:

21st March 2025
St John's College, Houghton, Johannesburg
Leinster 116 all out, 51.2 overs (Ted Hasler 24, Jan Dijkstra 18, Ryan Keenan 15, Nic Roos 4-31)
St John's 117-2, 37 overs
(Nic Roos 48 no Sidhardt Biju 1-26, Ted Hasler 1-25)

St John's won by 8 wickets

22nd March 2025
University of Johannesburg (UJ), Auckland Park, Johannesburg
Leinster 328-8, 50 overs
(Jan Dijkstra 81, Ryan Keenan 58, Joe Russell 49)
Helpmekaar 320 all out, 45.5 overs (Heinrich Serfontein 80, Hayden Clinton 4-38)

Leinster won by 8 runs

23rd March 2025
St Stithians College, Bryanston, Johannesburg
Leinster 184-8, 40 overs
(Sidhardth Biju 37, Joseph Russell 27, Ryan Keenan 21, Hayden Clinton 20)
St Stithians 80-1, 17.5 overs
(Jayden Memmen 44*, Aadi Wankhade 1-23)

Rain/thunder stopped play - match drawn.

A big thanks also to LHW Financial Planning, the Hogan family and Thomas Pieterse from Clover SA for their kind sponsorship of the tour clothing, water and minerals provided to the boys throughout the week.

Touring Squad:

Jan Dijkstra (Merrion) Capt.
Sidhardth Biju (Adamstown)
Ryan Keenan (Balbriggan)
Aadi Wankhade (Balbriggan)
Aadil Naizam (Phoenix)
Ted Hasler (Railway Union)
Gethin Kelleher (Railway Union)
Callum Armstrong (Rush)
Kyle Rock (Rush)
Hayden Clinton (The Hills)
Joe Russell (The Hills)
Max Stead (The Hills)

Brian O’Rourke - Tour Manager

Further tour information available on our X account - @Leinsteryouth