The team from George in the Southern Cape has dedicated the off-season to enhancing their physical fitness, strength, and overall skills, ensuring they arrive at the tournament in peak condition.
Captain Joof Enslin leads the Outeniqua High School Under-19A team into the upcoming Diamantveld T20 Cricket Festival brimming with confidence. The team from George in the Southern Cape has dedicated the off-season to enhancing their physical fitness, strength, and overall skills, ensuring they arrive at the tournament in peak condition.
“We’ve been working hard during the off-season to improve our fitness and strength, which are key to our performance,” said Enslin a few weeks before the tournament. He told the DFA that after they had completed their conditioning programme that they focused on intensive net sessions, competitive games against clubs, and long fielding drills.
“Fielding is our top priority,” the skipper said. “If we don’t field well, the rest doesn’t matter. We’ve also put a lot of emphasis on team fitness. Being the fittest side will give us the edge we need.”
Expectations for the tournament are high, with the team determined to translate their hard work into success on the field. “Our goal is to achieve the results we’ve been striving for,” Enslin added. “We come with the mindset to win and to prove we can compete with the best. But beyond winning, we aim to … adapt our game. If the wicket calls for more conservative play, we’ll adjust as needed.”
The significance of this tournament extends beyond just the matches for Outeniqua High School cricket.
“We’re incredibly grateful to be here,” said Enslin. “Our school hasn’t had many chances to participate in tournaments of this calibre. To showcase our abilities on such a prestigious stage is something we don’t take for granted.
“These events have a lasting impact on players, offering the chance to compete against the best, create lasting memories, and ultimately help grow the game. School cricket is indebted to tournaments like this for fostering development and passion,” the captain told the DFA.
Meanwhile, coach Mark Andrianatos expressed confidence in his team’s readiness.
Speaking to the DFA, the coach highlighted the team’s comprehensive winter programme, which focused on cricket skills with a particular emphasis on fitness and gym work. “Given that it’s a multi-day tournament with more than one game per day, it’s essential that our players are fit enough to maintain strong performances throughout,” Andrianatos stated.
“T20 is a high-energy, high-intensity game, and you can’t play with fear,” the coach added, saying that his focus has been on encouraging players to adopt a fearless approach, backing their decisions regardless of the outcome.
When asked about the team’s goals for the tournament, Andrianatos made it clear that the initial objective is to top their group. He acknowledged the challenge of adapting to unfamiliar conditions, with the team arriving just a day before the tournament begins.
“The key will be to assess the wickets and grounds quickly within the first few overs and adjust our game plan to give us the best chance of winning,” he noted.
According to Andrianatos the tournament holds great significance for Outeniqua’s cricket programme, saying that he believes that the exposure is vital for player development and, with SuperSport Schools involved, it provides a platform for young talent to shine on a national stage. “I’m confident we’ll see future professional cricketers emerging from this tournament,” he added.
