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South Africa’s 18-year-old sensation Jorich Van Schalkwyk made cricketing history on Friday, July 25, by becoming the first player ever to notch a double century in Youth One Day International (YODI) cricket, blasting an extraordinary 215 runs off just 153 balls against Zimbabwe Under-19 in the opening match of the U19 Tri-Nation Series in Harare.
Jorich Van Schalkwyk’s double ton guides South Africa to their highest ever score in Youth ODIs
Van Schalkwyk’s record-shattering feat, achieved at Sunrise Sports Club, has rewritten the record books for men’s age-group limited-overs cricket. His innings eclipsed the previous YODI best of 191, set by Sri Lanka’s Hasitha Boyagoda against Kenya in 2018. The South African right-hander demonstrated a jaw-dropping display of power and concentration, striking 19 fours and 6 sixes during his near four-hour stay at the crease. His knock provided the backbone for South Africa Under-19’s imposing total of 385 — their highest ever score in Youth ODIs, surpassing the previous best of 359/6 against Namibia in Brisbane in 2012.
The stage for Van Schalkwyk’s historic knock was set after South Africa won the toss and opted to bat. Despite losing two early wickets within the first 10 overs, Van Schalkwyk batted with controlled aggression, reaching his half-century off 48 balls. He accelerated seamlessly, reaching his century from 86 deliveries — his second consecutive U19 ODI hundred in a week, following his unbeaten 164 against Bangladesh on Tuesday. In that match, bad light had prevented him edging closer to a double century, but in Harare, there was no stopping the opener.
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South Africa U-19 registers a big win over Zimbabwe U-19
Van Schalkwyk’s innings was finally ended in the 47th over, but the damage was done; he scored almost 56% of his team’s runs in the 49.5 overs they faced. South Africa’s 385 proved utterly insurmountable for Zimbabwe, who crumbled under disciplined bowling from the visitors. The hosts were dismissed for a mere 107, handing South Africa a colossal 278-run victory. This remains not just the largest margin for South Africa at U19 level, but among the biggest ever in YODI cricket.
The magnitude of Van Schalkwyk’s achievement reverberated across the cricketing world. In the space of a week, he broke South Africa’s national youth record held for 25 years by Jacques Rudolph (156 not out against Nepal in 2000), posted the country’s first-ever double-century at U19 level, and set a new international landmark for the highest score in YODIs.
After the game, Van Schalkwyk was deservedly named Player of the Match for his historic contribution, which has made him not only a hero in South Africa, but also a new benchmark for young cricketers worldwide. With the U19 Tri-Series only just underway, all eyes will be on this breakout star as the competition progresses.
