Coming off a successful Khaya Majola Week, Luke Beaufort aims to carry the momentum into his performances at the U19 Cricket World Cup, writes Naeemah Benjamin.
Eastern Province’s Luke Beaufort was rewarded at the recent Khaya Majola week with top awards.
He won Player of the Tournament, Batsman of the Tournament and was honored by being named captain of the SA Schools team that managed to beat the SA Colts XI.
He was the top run scorer at the week with 316 runs which included a century and two half centuries, and was instrumental in his side’s success.
The top-order batsman set himself high goals from a very young age and it is finally starting to find fruition as he aims to impress at the U19 World Cup in South Africa.
“I started playing cricket from a very young age, I can’t recall the exact age but I started playing hard-ball cricket when I was just six years old and I was always playing against guys that were much older than me,” Beaufort said exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine.
“The love for cricket definitely emerged from playing cricket when we went camping with my grandparents. My grandfather was like my role model and a mentor for me.
“Those fun moments on camp with my friends, cousins and grandpa is definitely where my love for cricket came from.”
He played for Grey High School Port Elizabeth before representing Eastern Province at every age group – U11 in 2012, U13 in 2014, U15 in 2016 and in U17 in 2017.
He also played in the Khaya Majola Week in 2018, as well as 2019.
Beaufort was named in the Junior Proteas 15-man squad to represent South Africa at the World Cup in January 2020.
He has been one of the top performers and will be an important part of his team’s success in the tournament.
“Representing my country at the U19 Cricket World Cup means everything to me,” he continued.
“I think it’s everything I’ve worked towards and just to be able to say that I’ve represented my country is an absolute honor and a privilege. I can’t wait to get out there.
“It’s quite an overwhelming feeling. I feel like there are a lot of people who wish they could get the opportunity to represent their country.
“For me, this being a goal from a young age, I feel grateful and feel it’s a big stepping stone and milestone for me as a young cricketer especially for what I’m trying to achieve one day.
“My parents have been on this journey with me, taking me to practice and always supporting me with necessary equipment, just simply being there.
“They knew this was a goal of mine. They were the first people I told about my inclusion and they were very happy.”
Being a millennial, it wasn’t a major shock to hear about who the youngster’s hero was growing up.
“My role model has always been AB de Villiers and I think it will always be,” Beaufort said when asked which players he looks up to.
“Just the way he is on and off the field and the way he carries himself and continues to work hard on and off the field.
“His success speaks volumes of who he is as a person and I think that’s something I’ll always strive towards.”
