NQOBANI MOKOENA READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP UP DOWN UNDER

More than a decade may separate Nqobani Mokoena and Ottneil Baartman in age, but the Paarl Royals fast-bowling duo have plenty in common. They both play their provincial cricket for the Dolphins, share the new ball at the Royals, and were raised by single mothers.

This last fact is of great importance, for within both Baartman and Mokoena burns an insatiable desire to succeed. Their motivation lies beyond personal glory - it is about knowing that the responsibility to provide a better life for their families lies squarely on their shoulders.

"My mom plays a very big role in my life. I grew up without a dad, and for me, she is kind of both. She's a mom and a dad; she's everything to me," Mokoena told Betway SA20. "Watching her struggle while I was growing up, just to get me cricket gear... she was doing her best to make sure I had spikes. Just those basic things. So, I'm happy right now that things are going my way and I can get my own gear. I'm just trying to make her happy as well, to pay her back for what we've been through together."

It is an immense responsibility for a 19-year-old to carry, so it is no surprise that Mokoena latched onto the experienced Baartman when he arrived at the Paarl Royals camp.

"We're quite close. We play for the same team back home. So, coming into the SA20 and seeing him there, it was quite cool to have him around. He helped me with my plans and everything, just to make sure I'm always clear," Mokoena said. "He is a very good bowler, and tactically, he helped me improve my game awareness as well. It was great to have him there."

This relationship reaped dividends, with both Mokoena and Baartman enjoying spectacular seasons. Baartman topped the wicket-taking charts with 20 scalps, while Mokoena enjoyed a fantastic breakout campaign with 13 wickets at an average of 23.69.

These performances did not go unnoticed; both Baartman and Mokoena earned Proteas call-ups for the T20I series against the Black Caps, starting in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

This was a particularly special moment for Mokoena - who was starting Matric at Northwood School in January 2024 when he played in the Under-19 World Cup alongside fellow SA20 Rising Stars Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Steve Stolk - when he received the call from National Convenor Patrick Moroney.

"I was actually at home when I got the call. They told me I got picked, and I was just very excited. I didn't know what to do; I just froze," he recalled. "The first person I called was my mom. I told her not to tell anyone because the squad wasn't out yet. We were very happy as a family. Getting a call-up for the Proteas is quite cool. I really can't wait to go and experience it. The prep has been good so far, and I'm looking forward to it."

Mokoena has a penchant for picking up key wickets from the opposition. He dismissed both Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Quinton de Kock and Durban’s Super Giants’ Jos Buttler during Season 4.

He could now come up against the likes of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert - the dynamic Kiwi opening partnership that smashed the Proteas in the recent T20 World Cup semifinal - and DSG top-order batter Devon Conway.

It's a daunting task, but Mokoena believes he is prepared for the challenge after working hard on his skills.

"You do get nervous, but I got used to it eventually. I think I'm prepared for it - the crowd and everything," he said. "It's all about having discipline and respecting people. Keeping your head down, and you must be able to adjust. I practice quite often. I just back myself, and I back what I practice.”