STEVE STOLK TARGETS BREAKOUT SEASON 4 WITH JOBURG SUPER KINGS

It was not often during Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ schoolboy career that he was outshone.

But the Paarl Royals wunderkind was an avid spectator at the non-striker’s end when his Junior Proteas opening partner Steve Stolk tore into the Scotland U19 bowling attack at the ICC U19 World Cup in Potchefstroom a couple of years ago.

The former Die Hoërskool Menlopark learner, who debuted for his school’s 1st XI at 13-years-old, bludgeoned a record-breaking 13-ball 50, finishing with 83 off just 37 balls.

Powerfully built - just like Pretorius - Stolk favours the leg-side, often utilising the slog sweep to good effect.

The 19-year-old had a brief taste of Betway SA20 action during Season 3 with the Pretoria Capitals but is now ready for a new challenge in the yellow of Highveld neighbours Joburg Super Kings.

“I'm really looking forward to it (joining JSK),” Stolk said at the SA20 Schools tour.

“Getting to play with the best players in the world is amazing. And yeah, looking to learn a lot from them.”

The teenager is certainly looking forward to tapping into the experience of highly-respected head coach Stephen Fleming along with captain Faf du Plessis.

“The coaches are the best in the world,” Stolk said, adding that JSK’s experienced squad will be invaluable to his development.

“When you speak about the likes of Faf, he has loads of experience and you can't buy that anywhere. I'm just going to try to soak everything up and try to learn a lot.”

Unlike his SA U19 contemporaries Pretorius and Durban’s Super Giants fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, Stolk has yet to fully transfer his prolific schoolboy form to the professional stage as yet.

But armed with all the tools and an excellent support staff at JSK, he believes Season 4 could be his breakout season.

“I think as we saw, if you do well at the SA20, you're competing against the best in the world. So, you get to showcase your talent and hopefully I can do that this year,” Stolk said.

“I trust in my abilities and that God will just help me through it all. And whatever He wants for me, it will happen. But yeah, hopefully I can do well and almost kick-start my career.” 

Stolk could soon be living out his dream in JSK’s competition opener by joining his skipper Du Plessis at the top of the order when they face his former team, the Capitals, at Centurion on December 27.