Team South Africa showed why they’re seen as the top pick to win the men’s cricket event at the African Games after they beat Ghana in their first Group A match on Sunday.

After winning the toss, Team SA decided to bat first at the Achimota Cricket Oval in Accra. They scored an impressive 237 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, Ghana managed only 103-7, resulting in Team SA securing a massive 134-run victory.

Team SA started strong, losing their first wicket with the score at 11. But they were already putting pressure on the bowlers. Captain George van Heerden and Heinrigh Pieterse built a partnership of 106 runs before Van Heerden was dismissed. Then, Lehan Botha joined Van Heerden, and together they added another 120 runs in just 7.4 overs.

Van Heerden scored an unbeaten 107 off 57 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes, while Botha made 46 off 25 balls with five fours and three sixes.

ALSO READ: Robin Hobbs, England and Essex legspinner, dies aged 81

Team SA’s batting was dominant, scoring at a rate of 11.85 runs per over, before they turned to bowling against Ghana.

Ghana’s James Vifah fought bravely with 41 runs off 25 balls, but received little support. Only Kelvin Awala reached double figures for Ghana.

Team SA used seven bowlers, with Jesse Prodehl and Jason Raubenheimer taking two wickets each, while Botha and Pieterse also contributed to the wickets column.

It was a convincing performance by Team SA, who play against Kenya next.

Captain Van Heerden expressed his joy for the team’s strong start, highlighting the support he received from his teammates during his innings. He also remarked on the challenging conditions, noting the extreme heat. Despite the tough conditions, he praised the crowd and overall performance.

Team SA’s medal tally reached 93, including 25 gold, 30 silver, and 38 bronze medals, placing them third overall. This is a significant improvement from their performance in the 2019 Games in Morocco, where they finished fourth with 86 medals.

This is how Team SA fared on Sunday.

CRICKET

Men’s Group A: Team SA vs Ghana
Team SA 237-2 in 20 overs (George van Heerden 107no, Heinrigh Pueterse 62, Lehan Botha 46no).
Ghana 103-7 in 20 overs (James Vifah 41; Jesse Prodehl 2-10, Jason Raubenheimer 2-23, Heinrigh Pieterse 1-11, Lehan Botha 1-19)
Team SA won by 134 runs

BOXING

Women’s 50kg, quarter-finals
Thandolwethu Mathiba vs Zainab Adeshina (Nigeria)

TENNIS
Men’s singles, round of 32: Leo Matthysen won 6-0 6-2
Women’s singles, round of 32: Marilouise van Zyl won 6-1 6-2
Women’s singles, round of 32: Isabella  Kruger won 6-1 6-0

TAEKWONDO

Women’s Under-53kg, quarter-finals
Palesa Ramokoka lost to Zeinab Hamadataher (Nigeria)

Kenya chose to bat first after winning the toss and managed to score 141 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Then, they restricted South Africa to just 71 runs, with five overs to spare. This defeat for South Africa came right after they had a big win over Ghana by 134 runs the day before, at the same ground.

Collins Obuya’s batting was crucial for Kenya, with Rakep Patel being the next highest scorer with 28 runs. Among the bowlers, Heinrigh Pieterse did well, taking 2 wickets for 23 runs, while Dylan Bester, Jason Raubenheimer, and Jesse Prodehl each took 1 wicket.

ALSO READ: Imad Wasim Makes PSL History with Five Wickets in Final

South Africa’s batting struggled, with captain George van Heerden being the top scorer with 22 runs. They lost their first three wickets quickly, with Maahir Joseph and Pieterse falling to Lucas Oluoch, and Lehan Botha caught off Gerard Mwendwa’s bowling. Van Heerden and Keagan Lion-Cachet managed a partnership of 36 runs, but it wasn’t enough to turn the match around.

However, frequent wickets stopped South Africa from gaining any momentum as they went from 55/3 to all out for 71 runs in just 4.4 overs.

Next, South Africa will play against Uganda in their last Group A match on Wednesday.