A double-hundred in men’s Youth one-day internationals had never been done – until Jorich Van Schalkwyk walked out in Harare on Friday morning. The 18-year-old opener carved 215 from 153 balls, lifting South Africa Under-19 to 385 for 7 and setting up a 278-run victory over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tri-nation series.
“I just wanted to give us a platform,” Van Schalkwyk said afterwards, still catching his breath. “Once I got through the new ball, the boundaries felt a bit closer.”
Van Schalkwyk’s innings lasted 212 minutes and 46.2 overs. He struck 19 fours, six sixes and, more tellingly, broke Hasitha Boyagoda’s previous Youth ODI record of 191, set for Sri Lanka U19s in 2018. The left-hander’s tempo never felt reckless; he reached three figures in 93 balls, then accelerated as Zimbabwe’s bowlers tired under a hot winter sun at Takashinga.
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad praised the youngster’s temperament. “He paced it beautifully,” Conrad said. “Plenty of players can hit, but controlling an innings at this level is what excites us.”
Zimbabwe had few answers. Wayward new-ball spells handed the visitors early momentum, and the home side were bundled out for 107 in 27 overs, leg-spinner Dewan Maritz taking 4 for 19. Zimbabwe captain Panashe Taruvinga admitted the gap on the day was obvious. “You can’t chase 386 if you lose three wickets in the first powerplay,” he noted. “We’ll regroup quickly – that’s the point of this series.”
Friday’s assault came just three days after Van Schalkwyk’s unbeaten 164 against Bangladesh U19, itself a South African age-group record at the time. Two record scores in a week hint at rare talent, yet Conrad is cautious. “He’s 18. The job now is to keep him learning – tough pitches, moving ball, the lot.”
Still, a Youth ODI double hundred is an achievement that travels well. For Van Schalkwyk, it is a milestone; for South Africa’s pathway programme, welcome evidence that their next generation is finding its voice.
