BETWAY SA20 RISING STARS SHINE BRIGHT AS SA 'A' CONQUER ENGLAND LIONS

Paarl Royals trio Nqobani Mokoena, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, and Rubin Hermann powered South Africa ‘A’ to a series victory over the England Lions in the second one-day match at New Road in Worcester on Sunday.

It was the youthful exuberance of Mokoena and Pretorius that made the greatest impact, with the two Betway Rising Stars shining with ball and bat, respectively.

Mokoena claimed a superb four-wicket haul on his South Africa ‘A’ debut, with the 20-year-old ripping through the Lions' top order. He picked up the first three wickets, including a double strike in the 10th over, to leave the hosts reeling at 36/3.

These included the wicket of Mokoena’s Royals teammate Asa Tribe, who was caught by Hermann for 16.

Former Royals seamer Kwena Maphaka (1/33) provided good support from the other end, dismissing Pretoria Capitals batter Jordan Cox for five, before Royals spin duo Bjorn Fortuin (2/30) and Nqaba Peter (2/41) combined to skittle the Lions for 198.

In reply, SA ‘A’ openers Pretorius and Rubin Hermann made light work of the 199-run target, with the pair scoring at just under seven runs an over.

The 20-year-old Pretorius brought up his first half-century off 65 balls before shifting gears, needing just 38 deliveries to reach his next 50, which included three successive sixes off Mason Crane in the 22nd over.

Hermann, meanwhile, recorded his second consecutive half-century of the series, reaching the milestone off 49 balls.

Pretorius finished unbeaten on 116 off 114 balls (10 fours, 7 sixes), and Hermann finished on 83 not out off 69 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes), as they sealed a memorable win in 30.3 overs.