Ken Borland

Louis Oosthuizen will once again hog the Major limelight amongst South African golfers as he tees off at the Masters on Thursday in one of the feature three-balls, but there are also five other local stars gunning for glory at Augusta.

It will be a Masters unlike any other because not only have spectators been banned due to the Covid-19 pandemic but it is also taking place in winter, far removed from it’s usual slot at the height of spring in April.

Oosthuizen, South Africa’s highest-ranked golfer at No.19 in the world and third in the U.S. Open in September, has been drawn with new sensation Bryson de Chambeau, who won the previous Major, and Spain’s Jon Rahm, who is also one of the favourites to win the famous green jacket.

The 38-year-old Oosthuizen is considered one of the top draws in world golf due to his stellar record in the Majors. He may have won just one – the 2010 Open Championship – but apart from finishing as the runner-up in all four, he has also claimed three other top-10 finishes.

Erik van Rooyen, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Dylan Frittelli are the other South African golfers within the top-100 in the world rankings who will be playing at Augusta, with Van Rooyen and Bezuidenhout making their Masters debuts.

Van Rooyen told his Twitter followers that he had goosebumps watching videos of Augusta and “cannot wait for the first tee shot”, while Bezuidenhout described it as “a dream come true”.

Justin Harding, on his debut at Augusta, was South Africa’s best finisher in last year’s tournament, his tie for 12^th earning him a place in the 2020 field.

Charl Schwartzel has dropped out of the world top 200 after struggling since his return from a wrist injury, but is in the field thanks to his 2011 Masters triumph.

Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion, also had an exemption to play, but the South African has decided to be in the television commentary box instead.

The Knights enjoyed a marvellous second day of their 4-Day Domestic Series match against the Dolphins in Bloemfontein on Tuesday as they ended the day with a lead of 283 runs and all 10 second-innings wickets intact.

The home side resumed on 323 for seven in their first innings, which they managed to stretch to 424 all out thanks to Raynard van Tonder finishing with a magnificent 166 off 285 deliveries.

The exciting prospect received superb support from fast bowler Migael Pretorius, who scored 62 as they added 106 for the eighth wicket.

Some fine bowling by Alfred Mothoa (13-4-35-4) and Pretorius (13-1-50-3) then saw the Dolphins skittled out for just 162 inside 43 overs.

Opener Sarel Erwee lashed 37 of the first 39 runs off just 25 balls, but once he was dismissed by Pretorius, spooning a catch off the leading edge to mid-off, the wickets tumbled with only Marques Ackerman (30) and debutant Ruan de Swardt (46) giving the Knights attack much pause for thought.

The Knights were 21 without loss in their second innings at stumps, already boasting a mighty lead of 283.

It was a terrible day in terms of the weather in Johannesburg as only 36 overs were able to be played in the match between the Imperial Lions and the Cape Cobras.

In that time the Lions managed to extend their lead to a sizeable 107 runs, reaching 222 for seven in reply to the Cobras’ dismal total of 115 all out.

Batting was treacherous, however, on a thoroughly overcast day on a pitch offering the bowlers plenty of assistance, but opener Dominic Hendricks stood firm with a stubborn innings of 87 not out in six hours and 243 deliveries at the crease.

The Titans were in charge of their game against the Warriors in Port Elizabeth as they scored 151 for three in reply the home side’s 231 all out.

The Titans were in early trouble as Glenton Stuurman claimed the key wickets of Aiden Markram (17) and Theunis de Bruyn (0) in the same over, but the in-form Dean Elgar scored 66, and with Heinrich Klaasen ending the day on 50 not out, the visitors were in a strong position at stumps.

Earlier, they had claimed the last six Warriors wickets for just 94 runs as Lizaad Williams finished with four for 64 and there were two wickets apiece for Grant Thomson, Okuhle Cele and Junior Dala.

Cele struck with the third ball of the day as Markram held on to a flyer at gully to remove Sinethemba Qeshile for 20, and top-scorer Gihahn Cloete was then caught behind off Williams for 66. The Warriors then collapsed to 170 for eight before veteran Jon-Jon Smuts (41 not out) and Tshepo Ntuli (30) gave them a late boost.

5 questions for Sharks flank Phendulani Buthelezi

• You’ve played all over the loose trio, but where do you chiefly see yourself playing in the future?

PB – Wherever the Sharks need me, I will try and get the job done for the team and I’ve been able to adjust. But I prefer eighthman, I’m probably more comfortable being the link man and playing in the wider channels, that’s probably the better position for me. In South African rugby, the No.7 needs to be big, tall and physical, they are the main ball-carrier. Defensively you’re not always coming around the corner, you need to keep the width on the blindside. I’m not the biggest guy, but it’s been very good to experience the game from a different perspective.

• You obviously enjoy the ball-playing aspects of being a loose forward, but how do you cope with the physical demands?

PB – Rugby is a physical sport, so I work hard in the gym and make sure I am conditioned enough to take the hits and give the hits. I’m not the biggest guy as I said, but it’s about having the right attitude. Generally I have a lot of belief in myself and when I run out on to the field I just tell myself to never go backwards.

• Your opponents on Friday night are Griquas, they have become less of a force in recent years but do you feel they can stretch you in Kimberley?

PB – I actually think Griquas have a lot of potential, I know their coach Scott Mathie well because he coached me at school [Durban HS] so I know what he’s capable of, plus I know some of their players well and I rate them as a side. We’re certainly not looking at it as an easy game, we need to make sure we prepare properly, especially because we’re playing in Kimberley and we all know how difficult it is to play there. I think it’s going to be a very good battle, they have a very good loose trio as well and their No.6 [Gideon van der Merwe] is excellent on the ground.

• Who captured your imagination as a rugby player growing up?

PB – Growing up, the sort of player I would have liked to become like was Ardie Savea. He’s not one of the biggest loose forwards but the power he has means he’s always going forward with the ball or putting guys down in defence. He’s very explosive, he has good speed and he’s good on the ground. Watching him used to give me goosebumps.

• How do the Sharks beat Griquas on Friday night?

PB – As a forward pack, we are very aware of the backline we have, they can score some amazing tries, but it’s up to us to land the first punch, we have to give them that front-foot ball. But we are more than confident that we are more than capable of getting the job done up front. The way we played against the Cheetahs and their very good pack last weekend gives us a lot of confidence.

Left-arm paceman Beuran Hendricks landed the killer blows in a record performance as the Imperial Lions skittled an ailing Cape Cobras batting line-up for just 115 on the opening day of their CSA 4-Day Domestic Series match at the Wanderers on Monday.

Hendricks returned exceptional figures of seven for 29 in 13 overs, his career-best analysis and the best ever for the Lions against the Cobras, beating the seven for 61 fellow Proteas quick Friedel de Wet took in 2005/6.

The Cobras had bravely decided to bat first under overcast skies and Hendricks made them suffer as he swung and seamed the ball around in helpful conditions. Kyle Verreynne was the only batsman to do well, scoring 51.

The Lions then reached 152 for three by stumps and already have a first-innings lead of 37. Opener Dominic Hendricks, compact and leaving the ball well, dug in for the home side and had scored a tenacious, important 60 not out off 141 balls at the close, and captain Temba Bavuma was with him on 22.

In Bloemfontein, an outstanding unbeaten century by young Raynard van Tonder saw the Knights post 323 for seven in their match against the Dolphins.

The Knights, having won the toss, produced another solid batting display but Van Tonder was the only one to cash in as he scored a classy 119 not out.

An unflagging Dolphins attack kept plugging away though and Matthew Kleinveldt (44), Jacques Snyman (35), Pite van Biljon (39) and Farhaan Behardien (39) all made starts without going on past fifty.

The Warriors team owes Gihahn Cloete their gratitude as he ushered them to 137 for four on a rain-shortened opening day of their match against the Titans in Port Elizabeth.

Cloete showed good composure and determination as he scored 57 not out, helping the Warriors recover from 35 for two and then 84 for four. Sinethemba Qeshile is with him at the crease on 20 not out.

Lizaad Williams once again led the attack for the Titans, with two for 50 in 15 overs.