Young South African talent Lhuandre Pretorius grabbed attention with a stellar debut in his first game of the SA20 2025. The left-handed hitter left a lasting impression with his remarkable performance in Match 03 of the tournament at Boland Park in Paarl.
Outstanding performance from Lhuan-dre Pretorius
THE Paarl Royals The star made an impressive 97 runs off 51 balls against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. It was a remarkable innings from the young batter, who faced a tough bowling attack featuring Marco Jansen, Richard GleesonAnd Liam Dawson. Throughout his spectacular knock, he hit 6 sixes and 10 fours.
Praise of the English legend
Pretorius’ outstanding performance was widely praised, including praise from the England Test captain. Ben Stokes. The Christchurch-born cricketer cited Pretorius as an example and stressed the importance of franchise cricket in providing young talents with the opportunity to showcase their skills on major platforms.
One of the many things franchise cricket has done is give young/inexperienced but incredibly talented players opportunities on the biggest stage against the best in the world and show just how good they are.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius is doing this right now 👏-Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) January 11, 2025
Who is Praetorius?
Born in Potchefstroom, Pretorius quickly rose through the cricketing ranks, going from schoolboy to notable figure in professional cricket. Known for his aggressive yet calculated batting style, Pretorius has attracted the attention of cricket fans and pundits alike.
Early life and education
While still at school, Pretorius balanced his studies with cricket, waiting for his A-level results before entering the professional arena. His commitment to education and sports highlights his discipline and dedication. He completed most of his high school education at St. Stithians, known for producing professional athletes. In his final year he transferred to Cornwall Hill in Pretoria. At that time, Pretorius was already a member of the South Africa U-19 team.
International junior cricket
Pretorius made his mark at under-19 level. In the 2023-24 Under-19 World Cup, he was South Africa’s top scorer, amassing 287 runs in six matches, with three half-centuries to his name. This performance not only showcased his talent but also took South Africa to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Also READ: Ben Stokes reacts to Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ sensational knock on SA20 debut
National debut
Pretorius made his first-class debut for the Titans in December 2024, where he immediately demonstrated his potential by scoring a century (120 runs) on debut, marking him as a player to watch. The Titans eventually recorded victory and Pretorius took home the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
SA20 League Impact
His entry into the SA20 league with Paarl Royals was nothing short of spectacular. On January 11, 2025, Pretorius almost stole the show with an explosive 97 runs off just 51 balls against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. His aggressive hitting, comprising 10 fours and six sixes, was a testament to his ability to dominate from the start.
Notably, Pretorius has been included in the Paarl Royals squad for the second SA20 season in 2023-24. However, his participation in the 2023-24 U-19 World Cup for South Africa, where he was the team’s top scorer, prevented him from participating in the second season of the SA20.
What’s next for Pretorius?
Following his breakthrough performances, there are more and more expectations on how Pretorius will continue to develop his game. With his impressive performances, he has attracted the attention of fans and experts. His current form indicates that he is not just a one-off talent but someone who has the potential to establish himself as a consistent performer in the long term.
ALSO READ: SA20 2025 – TV Channels, Live Broadcast Details | When and where to watch in India, Australia, US, UK and other countries
