Charl Kenneth Langeveldt is a former professional cricket player from South Africa. Born on December 17, 1974, in Stellenbosch, Langeveldt grew up in close proximity to Boland cricket, his provincial home. He led an interesting dual life for much of the early part of his career, as he combined his passion for cricket with his job as a prison warder at Drakenstein prison.
Langeveldt made a name for himself in the cricketing world with his ability to swing the ball at genuine pace. His skills and dedication earned him recognition from the national selectors, and he made his debut in one-day international cricket against Kenya in Kimberley in the 2001-2002 season, taking two top-order wickets. He continued to impress with his performances, delivering career-best figures of 4 for 21 when South Africa faced Kenya again at Newlands shortly afterward.
In 2003, Langeveldt was included in South Africa’s World Cup squad, although he only played in a pool match against Kenya. However, his career took a positive turn when South Africa experienced a slump in 2004, as he played a crucial role in the team’s victories. He demonstrated exceptional talent against Sri Lanka, taking 3 for 31, and delivered his most outstanding spell yet with figures of 3 for 17 against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Langeveldt’s success continued as he showcased his skills against England at Newlands in the 2004-2005 season, where he suffered a broken hand while batting but managed to take 5 for 46. This performance earned him a spot in the team for their series in the Caribbean, during which he became a standout player. In a thrilling match against West Indies, Langeveldt achieved a hat-trick, securing a one-run victory for South Africa and helping the team win the series.
Although his form dipped during tours of India and Australia, Langeveldt made a comeback for the Champions Trophy after impressive domestic performances. He struggled, however, in ODI series against India and Pakistan at home. Nevertheless, his previous success in the West Indies led to his inclusion in South Africa’s 15-man squad for the World Cup. He performed exceptionally well in the tournament, utilizing his late reverse swing to become the team’s joint-leading wicket-taker.
In March 2008, controversy surrounding his selection for a tour to India caused Langeveldt to opt out of a three-Test series in the country. Many viewed his inclusion ahead of Andre Nel as pandering to Cricket South Africa’s transformation policy. As doubts arose regarding his international future, Langeveldt signed a two-year contract with Derbyshire as a Kolpak player in April 2008.
The following year, Langeveldt joined the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL), although he saw limited playing time until the final match. Despite this setback, he performed creditably when given the opportunity.
Langeveldt’s cricketing career was full of highs and lows, marked by his abilities as a swing bowler and his knack for producing match-winning performances at crucial moments. His contributions to South African cricket will be remembered, and he will always be recognized as a valuable asset to the teams he represented.