Young all-rounder Le Roux ready to step up

SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - South Western Districts' (SWD) all-rounder Odin le Roux (17) aims to utilise the u.19 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week as a platform to showcase his talents in a bid to kickstart his career.

The Khaya Majola week is a prestigious national cricket week where the best players in the country compete against each other.

The tournament has produced many Proteas and cricket legends such as AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini and, recently, up-and-coming stars such as world number three International Cricket Council test bowler Kagiso Rabada, wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, and exciting young batsman Aiden Markram.

Le Roux, a grade 11 learner at Outeniqua High School, is honoured to be part of the SWD team that will participate in the prestigious Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week.

"It's a privilege, and I am excited to showcase my talents at the Coke Week for my team, SWD, as well as for higher honours such as Colts Week and the u.19 World Cup, and hopefully fulfil my dream to be a professional cricketer."

Le Roux will be playing opponents older than him, as he qualifies to be in the u.17 National Week, but was asked to play in the u.19 SWD trials and was selected afterwards to be in the u.19 National Week.

The proud Le Roux family. From left are Otniel (dad), Odin, Amy (sister) and Carol (mom).

"At first I did not want to go to the u.19 trials because it is a step up, but I then realised it's the best place to showcase my talent, as I will be competing with the best players in the country who are older than me. It will put me in a good stead going forward, as I will have my talent tested in a higher competitive environment."

The cricket week will take place from 17 to 21 December at St Stithians College in Johannesburg, where 16 unions with the best players in the country, as well as a team from Namibia will be competing.

They will play two T20 matches, two 50 over matches and two time-cricket matches.

SWD U19 team manager Francois Visagie (left) hands over the SWD cap to Odin le Roux at the capping ceremony at the Rec in Oudtshoorn.