Kleinveldt hoping to guide a bunch of 'good dudes' back to the glory days at Western Province

WHEN Rory Kleinveldt received the call to come home to Cape Town and coach Western Province, the former Proteas fast bowler did not have to think too long about it. 

Kleinveldt may have been enjoying a successful spell as Northamptonshire’s bowling coach in the English County Championship, but the 42-year-old’s roots are firmly embedded in Campground Road having only called Newlands at the foot of Table Mountain home during his 20-year playing career. 

“Good to be home. Best place in the world. Probably a lot of sentiment, I think,” Kleinveldt said of his return at the WPCA Awards evening on Wednesday. 

“Coming back to be the head coach of Western Providence is something I've really wanted since I finished playing. I always knew I wanted to go into coaching and I'll do so. It's a dream come true and hopefully we can make it a success.”

There may be some that would argue that Kleinveldt has been thrown in at the deep end with WPCA facing major financial challenges off the field, and having just survived relegation to the dreaded Division 2 under former coach Salieg Nackerdien.

But having known large degrees of trophy-laden success during his playing career at Newlands, Kleinveldt is determined to restore former glories to Province. 

“We have a nice blend of experience and youth. But just like all around, good dudes,” he said. 

“Good team to work with, lots of talent, lots of young talent. And hopefully we can give them some exposure. 

“I think my biggest challenge is making the players realise there's something bigger than just playing for Western Province. The fans and the support that we get here is off the charts when we're doing well.”

Kleinveldt inherits a team consisting of a seam-bowling attack with stalwarts such as Beuran Hendricks (35) and Dane Paterson (36) - both of whom he shared the new ball with for many years in domestic cricket - still plying their trade. He admits it has been a unique experience now having to coach them from the sidelines. 

“It's certainly been interesting sitting on the other side of the fence, coaching Beuran and Patto after having played with them for so long,” he said. 

“But yeah, they're legends of Western Providence cricket and long may that continue. They add so much value, not only on the field, but also off the field and in the changeroom. So hopefully we can have them for a few more years.”

There are though a host of youngsters bubbling under ready to take over the mantle, most notably current SA U19 Cricketer of the Year Raeeq Daniels, former SA Schools captain Juan James, Oliver Whitehead and Abdullah Bayoumy.

“Yeah, look, I've been really impressed with Raeeq,” Kleinveldt said. “In fact,  I've actually been impressed with all of them. They're all really exciting young cricketers.

 “And yeah, my challenge is obviously giving them exposure and giving them opportunity Hopefully I can provide that for them.”

FULL LIST OF WPCA 2024/25 AWARD WINNERS

Western Province Men:

4-Day Player of the Year – George Linde

T20 Player of the Year – Eddie Moore

Men’s One Day Cup Player of the Year – Kyle Simmonds

Men’s Players’ Player of the Year – George Linde

Men’s Player of the Year – George Linde.

Western Province Women:

Young Player of the Year – Kayla Reyneke

1 Day Cup Player of the Year – Faye Tunnicliffe

Women’s Player of the Year – Leah Jones

Women’s T20 Player of the Year – Kayla Reyneke

Women’s Players’ Player of the Year – Leah Jones