The u-13 cricket captain at Hendrik Louw Primary School in Strand, Tauhier Josephs, is in the school’s history books and will be for a long time.
In only his second school match this year, Josephs scored 157 runs against Rhenish Primary School last week – the highest total ever scored by a Louwtjie in the 142-year history of Hendrik Louw Primary.
The 13-year-old is very proud of his achievement, which he owes to his cricketing family. He said: “Both my dad and grandad played cricket and they always motivate me and give me support. My dad said he believed in me and knew I’d score a century one day, and the day that I do he will be proud of me. And on that day when I got home, both my parents were in tears.”
The remarkable achievement saw Tauhier clubber 18 sixes and 11 fours during his innings.
“I felt nervous at the start but I soon started to settle in and play more openly. When I got to 100 I was already over the moon, but I maintained focus and wanted to continue for as a long as I can.
“When I got to 150 I actually thought that I might be able to reach 200, but then I hit a top edge and the innings was over at 157. It was an amazing experience.”
Asked how he stayed in tune with his game over the past couple of years amid lockdown restrictions, Tauhier said that he found a way to keep at it.
“Lockdown was tough, but I still played cricket at home and also for the u-13 team at Somerset West Cricket Club, so I managed to keep practising and I worked on my game.”
The all-rounder also ended last year on a high in school cricket when he scored 58 and also took a hat-trick.
Now in Grade 7, Tauhier has aspirations to be consistent as he climbs the age divisions and gradually improves his game.
The u-13 cricket coach, Beau Schoeman, said Tauhier has been in incredible form throughout lockdown, thanks largely to his participation in club cricket.
“One can see the difference, as he has stayed well-oiled though the year. Tauhier is a strong and aggressive batsman and one of very few players that can make a batting decision very quickly. He also grows in confidence and on three occasions hit three sixes in an over”.
In only his next game, which the school played against Strand Moslem Primary, he scored just six before he was out.
“It’s important Tauhier doesn’t put too much pressure on himself and nurtures his game,” said Schoeman. “He’s young and has got a lot to learn and has to work on his emotions. Looking ahead, Tauhier has so much potential, he has shown character and desire, his basis is nice and strong. We are no experts, but whatever we can bring to the table to improve and help his game we are happy to do so. We are really looking forward to his future.”
As the season progresses he also has his hopes on an invite at a provincial level.
“I look up to AB De Villiers, he’s written a book on all the shots he’s created, and I would like to replicate that and write a book with my own shots one day.”
