No Varsity Cricket tournament this year, no problem. TuksCricket has decided to host the IXU Intervarsity T20 Tournament starting on Saturday, September 23.

"University cricket players must get an opportunity to play T20 Cricket. That is why we have decided to host the tournament. We are grateful to have found a sponsor at such short notice," says Blanche Conradie, TuksCricket Club Manager.

"Tuks will be fielding two teams, a Red and Blue. The other teams competing are Maties (defending Varsity Cricket champions), NWU, Kovsies and Wits. It has all the makings to be an exciting tournament, as Tuks is the current USSA champion, while NWU has won the USSA Cricket in the past."

Dewald Mouton is one of the newcomers to Tuks's A-side. He secured his spot in the team with a sterling bowling performance two weeks ago in a trial match. He ended up taking 4/20 in four overs.

"I took three wickets in the last over. I nearly got a hat trick, but there was no one left to bowl to after I took two wickets with two balls. The opposition was bowled out."

The aspirant teacher is a fast bowler. 

"I am not the tallest fast bowler. Because of that, I don't get that much bounce, but still, I am fast. My coaches reckon that I am sometimes bowling at 140 km/h. I can be even quicker. What counts in my favour is that the batters tend to misjudge the speed of my deliveries. When the ball lands, it "skids on". Which means it does not turn and sometimes shoots through quickly.

"My forte as a bowler is "death bowling." I can bowl six Yorkers if it is required."

According to Mouton, he developed this trait in his days as an athlete. While at school, he was an avid javelin thrower. He competed at the national junior championships.

"Often in competition, I would find myself in fourth place after five rounds. But I had the knack to come up with the big one with my last attempt to finish in the top three. Being able to do that has undoubtedly helped me be more focused when playing cricket.

"Playing golf is also helping. Golf is a game that sorts out one's head. I have learned to handle pressure while playing golf."

Thobani Xhakaza is another fast bowler who could impress tomorrow when the Tuks play Wits at 14:00 at the Tuks Oval.

According to him, his best trait as a bowler is his consistency.

"I might bowl slower than some of my teammates. But I can get the ball to land in the same spot repeatedly. I am also able to swing the ball both ways."

From a batting perspective, Keagan Lion-Cachet is one to watch. He has the highest score of 86 in T20 cricket. Playing for Tuks, it is 68.

See the IXU InterVarsity Fixtures HERE