Raynard van Tonder’s Man of the Match 87 led SA U19 to a five-wicket victory against Sri Lanka at Boland Park on Thursday.
This is South Africa’s third-consecutive victory in the CSA Youth Triangular series, which will boost their confidence going into Saturday’s final.
Bowlers, Ruan de Swardt and Akhona Mnyaka returned respective figures of 3-32 and 3-45 to restrict the visitors to 223 in 47.5 overs after putting them in to bat first. Krishan Arachchige top scored with 81 runs from 96 deliveries with Mishen Silva adding an unbeaten 63 to help their side to the competitive score.
South Africa’s response saw a solid performance by the batsmen. Raynard van Tonder led the charge with an unbeaten 87 off 121 balls. He headed up two vital 50 partnerships, the first, a 57-run, third-wicket stand with Matthew Breetzke (43), followed by the match-winning 81-run, fourth-wicket partnership with stand-in captain, Mitchell van Buuren (44).
Breetzke and Jesse Christensen deserve a special mention for giving the home side a solid foundation with their 49-run, second-wicket partnership after the team lost Wandile Makwetu for seven at the end of the fourth over.
Van Tonder and Ruan de Swardt went on to add an unbeaten 23-run sixth-wicket stand to get their side over the line.
South Africa will meet Sri Lanka again for the final at the same venue on Saturday 28 January 2017.
PHOTO: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
