Batting Stats FIRSTCLASS
The 26-year-old wicketkeeper produced an innings of real authority, striking 25 fours and four sixes on his way past his previous first-class best of 124*. His knock propelled the hosts to an imposing 578 for eight declared.
All-rounder Van Vuuren also delivered with the bat, compiling his highest four-day score of 120 from just 115 deliveries, an innings that included 10 fours and seven sixes.
That effort secured South Africa A a first-innings lead of 96. New Zealand A then survived the final 10 overs of the evening session unscathed, reaching stumps on 23 without loss, still 73 runs behind.
With the series on the line in this final fixture of the tour, the home side will head into the last day optimistic after dominating day three – their most commanding performance so far.
South Africa A had resumed in the morning on 159 for two, with Lesego Senokwane unbeaten on 65 alongside skipper Marques Ackerman. Their third-wicket partnership was worth 71 at that point.
The stand added only 17 more before Adithya Ashok (3/173) trapped Senokwane leg-before for 70. Ashok struck again soon after, removing Jason Smith (7) to leave the innings on 192 for four.
Ackerman, however, pressed on positively. His aggressive 83 off 93 balls, featuring 10 boundaries, ended when he was bowled by Jayden Lennox (2/144).
Further setbacks followed when Mihlali Mpongwana fell for nine, South Africa A slipping to 277 for six. But it was then that Qeshile and Van Vuuren took charge, combining for a superb 250-run seventh-wicket stand that lifted the total to 527.
Once Qeshile departed, Van Vuuren pushed the scoring along before falling himself in search of quick runs. The declaration soon followed.
New Zealand openers Joe Carter (23*) and Rhys Mariu (0*) then ensured there were no further hiccups as they saw out the day.
Wicket Takers FIRSTCLASS
South Africa A Four-Day Squad vs New Zealand A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).
Four-Day Matches
07 – 10 September, 10:00: South Africa A lost to New Zealand A by 185 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
14 – 17 September, 10:00: South Africa A vs New Zealand A – Willowmoore Park, Benoni
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