Ongama Gcwabe chatted to Tshepo Ndwandwa in an exclusive Q&A.

Ndwandwa is a 24-year-old cricketer who is currently contracted with the South Western District senior provincial team. 

Born in Port Elizabeth, the left arm finger spinner is a product of the Mfuneko Ngam Cricket School of Excellence.

His rise started in the 2015/16 season when he made his first-class debut for the Border Cricket senior provincial team which saw him be included in the side’s Africa Cup T20 squad which featured the likes of Simon Harmer as the captain of the side.

Tshepo Ndwandwa has tasted success in the past few years, with the inclusion in CSA’s two India spinning camps and a call-up to the SA Invitation XI side that played against Pakistan in December 2018. 

The potential he possesses has not gone un-noticed in the SA domestic arena as he was also called-up by the Cape Cobras Head Coach Ashwell Prince at the back-end of the One Day Cup, even including the youngster in the semi-final of that competition.

Ongama Gcwabe had a Q&A with the youngster:

How did you get into cricket? What inspired you to pursue professional cricket as a career?

“Well, it was a bit obvious that I would play cricket at some point in my life because my brother also played professional cricket for Eastern Province. I would say that I was inspired by him all the way. From a very young age, I got to see my brother touring and playing around South Africa, and I fell in love with the game ever since.”

Let’s chat about school cricket and provincial cricket. How crucial was age-group provincial cricket in your progress as a cricketer?

“I first got a taste of provincial cricket in the U13 EP team. We went to the Standard Bank Cricket week which was in Cape Town. I was still a seamer back then. I really enjoyed that week. I would say that the school level teaches you a lot about cricket and life in general. After that U13 week in Cape Town, I struggled to make the U15 EP sides. It was tough, but I hung in and dug deep until I made it into the U17 and U19 EP teams. At the Khaya Majola week, I got a bit of success which led to my selection into the Warriors Colts side. I mean, I had to learn that sometimes not everything will go your way, that’s what school cricket taught me”

You made your first-class debut in the 2015/16 season. Tell us about that journey. What would you say has been a stand-out moment for you?

“Firstly, before I went to Border Cricket, I got the motivation at Fort Hare because I was there around guys like Jerry Nqolo who was contracted with the Warriors at the time. So, he was the guy who was around us just to lead us. Mbulelo Budaza, Kerwin Mungro, Loyiso Mdasha, all those players, that was the environment I was in. Those guys grew me as a player. So, when I started practicing with Border Cricket, I knew the guys and I was comfortable. The coach decided to give me game time in a home game against Boland, it was tough but I enjoyed it because I didn’t try to complicate things. When I was still with Border, I took a six-for against KZN-inland, I would say that was a special moment at that time in my career.”

Your first Africa-Cup T20 was with Border. How was that experience?

“In that tournament, we had Simon Harmer as our captain, and I shared a net with him because we are both spinners. He taught me a few things, he taught me how to bowl a slider which was crucial at that time in T20 cricket. I enjoyed that tournament. I remember we had a game against EP at the Nelson Mandela University cricket fields, we had to defend 17 runs in the last over. The captain backed me to bowl that final over. I took two wickets and went for five runs in that last over. I really enjoyed that season.”

You have been to two India spinning camps already, tell us about those experiences. How have those experiences helped to develop you as a cricketer?

“In one of those camps, we had Temba Bavuma and Dane Piedt, it is always a privilege to share a net with Proteas players or ex-proteas players. I was the only guy who played Academy cricket, the other guys were already playing franchise cricket. So, I learnt a lot from those guys and the coaches. The camps taught me how I should prepare for games, how to assess conditions and how to use a new ball on a turning wicket”

What are some of your goals for next season?

“I want to spend more time in the Cobras set-up. I want to be there because I really enjoyed myself with them last season and I’m keen on playing franchise cricket.”

Ongama Gcwabe is a sports journalist and the owner of 100mph_CSA. Follow him on – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.