CAPE TOWN - Often in this era of professionalism and franchise domestic cricket the sense of traditionally rivalry has been lost. Provincialism has been replaced with familiarity due to teams playing each other so often.
However, there remains something special about an old “North v South” derby. Regardless of whether you watched the former South African Cricket Union or “Board cricket” (SACB) clashes, there was always that extra bit in the air when Western Province faced off against the old Transvaal.
There were heroes aplenty on each team. The late Clive Rice and Abdul Haq “Jack” Manack in the respective “Vaalie” teams, while Province boasted legends such Eddie Barlow and Saait Magiet in their two sides.
Fortunately we can now watch only team from each region with classy players from all backgrounds playing together like they will in Friday’s crucial Momentum One-Day Cup clash between Cape Cobras and Highveld Lions at Boland Park in Paarl.
There is an extra bit of spice to Friday’s meeting, for the Lions are the defending champions, having come to Newlands and virtually stolen the silverware last season.
The Cobras had been the form team throughout the competition and had looked set to claim the trophy, only for Stephen Cook’s team to produce the goods when it mattered most.
A lot has transpired since that sunlit day at Newlands with both camps undergoing a hefty transition period, but both squads will be more determined than ever to fight for the all-important points on offer. The Cobras have suffered a couple of hiccups although they remain in third position on the 2017 log table with seven points after four matches.
The Lions, meanwhile, are rooted to the basement with four points but have played one match less than their coastal rivals. Victory for either side will be a huge confidence booster with the business end of the competition fast approaching.
The home side has shown glimpses of its abilities in the wins over the Warriors and Dolphins and will look to go on a similar streak like last season when they enjoyed a four-match winning run that secured the home final.
Crucial to this outcome will undoubtedly be the senior players' performances, most notably that of all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt. The 33-year-old’s vast experience came to the fore with the bat and ball in the last outing in Pietermaritzburg when he clubbed a crucial 26 not out off 15 balls and claimed 4/48.
Kleinveldt is certainly a derby veteran and is also intimately aware of the historical rivalry that exists between the two teams with his uncle, Jonny Kleinveldt, having represented the WP Board team in the former Howa Bowl.
“I’m a little bit too young to have watched a lot of my uncle playing provincial cricket, but I know all the stories of when Province played Transvaal back in the day. There are some classics,” Kleinveldt said.
“Whenever I’ve played against the (Gauteng) Strikers, Lions … it’s been a tough contest. They’re the champions and will come hard at us, especially with them being on the bottom of the table they’ll really want the points but we’re ready for the challenge.”
The Cobras received a boost on Thursday with Omphile Ramela being passed fit. Ramela was struggling with a quad strain but the left-hander is ready to take his place at the top of the order alongside Richard Levi.
The home side are also likely to go back to a twin-pronged spin attack with left-arm spinner George Linde joining captain Dane Piedt. The tactic was unsuccessfully employed against the Knights in Bloemfontein in the first game of the season, but Piedt is hoping for a change in fortunes in the more familiar surroundings of Boland Park.
It is hoped that the two spinners will be able to tie up an inexperienced Lions batting order that has lost its two Test stalwarts Cook and Temba Bavuma to national duty in New Zealand.
COBRAS SQUAD FOR BOLAND PARK
Richard Levi, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan van Zyl, Justin Ontong, Jane Smith, Keegan Petersen, Dane Vilas (wk), Aviwe Mgijima, Dane Piedt, George Linde, Rory Kleinveldt, Lizaad Williams, Zakhele Qwabe.
Start:
2pm TV: SS2