South African young talent Juan-dre Pretorius He came into the limelight with his spectacular debut in his first match SA20 2025. The left-hander made a memorable impression with a remarkable performance in Match 03 of the tournament at Boland Park in Paarl.
Speech by Juan-dre Pretorius
The Pearl Royals He sent 97 runs off 51 balls against Star Sunrisers Eastern Cape. It was a remarkable knock from the young up-and-comer who faced a tough bowling attack Marco Jansen, Richard Gleesonand Liam Dawson. During his brilliant knock, he hit 6 sixes and 10 fours.
Compliments from an English legend
Pretorius’ outstanding performance won widespread acclaim, including praise from England’s Test captain. Ben Stokes. The Christchurch-born cricketer highlighted Pretorius as a role model and highlighted the importance of franchise cricket in offering young talent the chance to showcase their skills on major platforms.
One of the many things franchise cricket does is give young/inexperienced but incredibly talented players opportunities on the biggest stage against the world’s best and show how good they are.
Juan-dre Pretorius is doing it right now 👏— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) January 11, 2025
Who is Pretorius?
Born in Potchefstroom, Pretorius quickly rose through the cricket ranks from a schoolboy to a prominent figure in professional cricket. Known for his aggressive yet calculated batting style, Pretorius has caught the attention of cricket fans and experts alike.
Early life and education
While still at school, Pretorius balanced his academics with cricket while awaiting his matric results as he stepped into the professional arena. His commitment to both studies 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. By then, Pretorius was already a member of South Africa’s U-19 team.
International junior cricket
Pretorius made his mark at U-19 level. During the 2023–24 U-19 World Cup, he was the leading run-scorer for South Africa, scoring 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
Local debut
Pretorius made his first-class debut for the Titans in December 2024, where he immediately showed his potential by scoring a century (120 runs) on debut, marking him as one to watch. In the end, the Titans celebrated victory and Pretorius won the Man of the Match.
Impact of the SA20 league
His entry into the SA20 league with Paarl Royals was nothing short of spectacular. On 11 January 2025, Pretorius almost stole the show with an explosive 97 runs off just 51 balls against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. His aggressive knock of 10 fours and six sixes was a testament to his ability to dominate right from the start.
It should be noted that Pretorius has been included in the Paarl Royals squad for the second season of SA20 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 playing in the second season of the SA20.
What awaits Pretorius?
After his breakout performances, there are heightened expectations on how Pretorius will continue to develop his game. With his impressive performances, he attracted the attention of both fans and experts. His current form shows 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 run.
