Centuries by South Africa U19s captain Raynard van Tonder (117) and opener Matthew Breetzke (115) set up a convincing victory over New Zealand in the fifth place semi-final of the U19 World Cup.
The dynamic batting was complemented by a five-wicket haul by Gerald Coetzee as South Africa exacted revenge for the loss to New Zealand in the group phase, winning by 73 runs.
It was a confidence-boosting performance after being knocked out in their quarter-final encounter against Pakistan earlier in the week.
They posted a daunting 284-6 after electing to bat in Christchurch. Jiveshen Pillay (24) departed after 42 on the board, but Van Tonder and Breetzke put on a monumental partnership of 213 runs for the third wicket.
Van Tonder batted off 129 balls, with 10 fours and a six, at 90.7, while Breetzke was close behind, having faced 132 balls, with eight fours and a six.
New Zealand’s reply was interrupted regularly, particularly by Coetzee, who ended with 5-32, backed by Akhona Mnyaka (2-49), Kenan Smith (1-36) and Jason Niemand (1-50). Jade de Klerk made a vital contribution by running out Callum McLachlan with a direct hit as New Zealand folded for 211 in 44 overs. Only Dane Phillips offered real resistance with 74 off 82 balls.
The young Proteas will meet either England or Bangladesh for the fifth place, on Wednesday.
Photo: via Twitter
