Rising Star: Charl Botha shines bright in WPCA pre-season debut

Lonwabo Marele|Published 5 months ago

Edgemead prodigy, Charl Botha, from Bellville, is one of the cricketers to look out for in the 2024/2025 WPCA First Division B. He scored a 100 in his first match for Edgemead at the weekend. It was a 218 runs friendly win over Strandfontein in Linkway. Picture: Angela Hobbs

Former DF Malan High School cricketer, Charl Botha, 18, scored a century in his debut for Edgemead Cricket Club on Saturday September 21.

Edgemead played a pre-season friendly against Strandfontein Cricket Club in Linkway, ahead of the Western Province Cricket Association’s season kicking off in October.

Edgemead batted first, setting a target of 310 runs. Botha scored an impressive 118 runs off 110 balls, marking his arrival in the First Division B. Edgemead bowled out Strandfontein for 92 runs, winning the match by 218 runs.

The young athlete, from Welgemoed in Bellville, started his cricketing journey way before he could utter his first words as a toddler.

“What truly inspired me to start playing cricket was my first cricket kit that I received as a present on Christmas Day, when my grandfather bought it for me to start playing the wonderful game, also known as the ‘gentleman’s game’,” said Botha.

He first gained recognition with the 50 runs he scored for Eversdal Primary School against Kenridge Primary School, where he also made the first team side call-up in Grade 5.

At DF Malan, while in Grade 8, he started playing franchise cricket. At the end of Grade 9, he made the school’s first team cricket side.

Among the highlights and accolades in high school, Botha silently made his mark with significant centuries against Boland Landbou (117) and Milnerton High School (120).

“I was the first DF Malan student to make it to the franchise levels of cricket. In my Grade 12 year I was also the first DF Malan student to partake in the second edition of the Boland20 for the defending champions, the Helderberg Wildcats,” he said.

Under the leadership of coach Linton Phillips, captain Eric Osner and all-rounder Daryn-Lee Dorman, Botha joins Edgemead in their quest to gain promotion to the First Division A. With their batting attack, they are among the teams to look out for this season.

“With coach Linton, family and club by my side, I’ve found my footing and feel ready for what’s next,” he said.

Botha will play in the BPL this weekend for the Helderberg Wildcats. Edgemead have a T20 friendly against Yorkshire on Saturday.

His goal is to represent the green and gold flag at the highest level.

“There are quite a few upcoming matches to keep an eye on. I am playing in the Boland Premier League starting on September 27 until October 18. Then in-between the tournament I will play for Edgemead Cricket Club for the rest of the season.

“Next year is my ninth Cape Town Premier League tournament. I will participate for the Western Stallions. There is quite a few tournaments planned for me to play, keeping my head up, to become the most successful athlete that I can be,” he said.