IN THE NEWS

During the last part of the 19th Century the "coloured" community, under the influence of the British Settlers, started playing cricket in available open spaces in and around Stellenbosch. In 1910 Stellenbosch and District formed part in establishing the Western Province Cricket Board and became a major player in establishing cricket at grassroots level and at high level administration.

During the 20th Century the District had anything from 6 to 20 clubs, with up to 40 teams playing in 3 different divisions. These clubs not only came from the town itself, but also from its surrounding areas. Clubs like Newtons, Nelsons, Excelsiors, Wanderers, Spes Bona, Pirates etc. became synonymous with excellence on and off the field. This also extended to the representative district team playing in the W.P. Board inter district league. Club and inter–district matches formed an integral part of life in the community. Clubs were established and grew around bigger families in Stellenbosch. A "family-like" culture became an integral part of cricket in Stellenbosch. Children grew up next to the cricket field and the values of the gentleman's game formed part of each child’s social education.

Legends of cricket were born and bred in Stellenbosch. Players like Suleiman Raziet, Carolus Pool etc. were part of the then S.A. Coloured Team. Stellenbosch also produced players like the late Charles Hendriks, Brian Minnis, Leon Roberts (previously S.A. U/15 coach and national u/19 selector), Ernest Jacobs, Mark Rasmus, to just name a few, who all played at Provincial level for Western Province Board.

In recent past our success story continues with players like Omar Henry (who eventually went on to captain Scotland, became the first player of colour to represent our country at the World Cup and who also was the convener of S.A Selectors), Roger Telemachus, Henry Williams and Charl Langeveldt, all representing our country at international level. All of these players came through the district system and played for Stellenbosch and District.

In 1994 came unity and with it new challenges. The district system was under threat as the new U.C.B boundaries pointed towards Boland. Clubs like Pniel based Coronations, Spes Bona and Burnley went the solo route, whilst others like Sir Lowry’s Pass and Raithby still fell in Western Province boundaries. Clubs based in Idas Valley and Cloetesville, however, decided to keep the District flag flying and play as a club under the auspices of Boland Cricket.

Stellenbosch and District Cricket Club as it is today, was established. 

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