KNYSNA NEWS - At just 13 years old, Knysna Primary School (KPS) learner and Knysna Cavaliers Cricket Club junior Jordan van Rooyen is making major headlines in SA school cricket. The youngster smashed a breathtaking unbeaten 369 runs off only 168 balls in a 50-over match against Nico Brummer Primary School in Beaufort West last weekend.
Adding to his super performance, Jordan also took four wickets, including a hat-trick, without conceding a run in just two overs.
Coming in at number three in the seventh over, Jordan's extraordinary innings featured 42 fours and 25 sixes. His 67 boundaries accounted for 318 runs, with the remaining 51 coming from running between the wickets.
KPS finished their allotted 50 overs on a massive 587/5 before bowling out the opposition for just 13 runs in 9.1 overs.
Jordan's memorable knock is the latest highlight in an impressive run of form over the past three weeks of school cricket, during which he has scored consistently against a range of opposition, including older players.
His recent scores include 52 against Stellenbosch, 135 against Paarl Boys' High and 43 against Cape Town School. He also scored an unbeaten 51 against Union High School U16 and an unbeaten 47 against Hartswater High School U16.
Jordan's form has extended beyond school cricket, as the young batter scored 53 runs at the South Western Districts (SWD) trials.
SWD Cricket confirmed on Tuesday 20 October that Jordan had also been appointed captain of the Garden Route Badgers' U13 provincial team for the annual Cricket SA U13 National Tournament, which will be held in Johannesburg from 1 to 4 December.
In addition to his cricketing achievements, Jordan was selected for the SWD Rugby Craven Week squad in June this year as a loose forward.
National record?
Despite the outstanding score, an official record for the highest individual score in U13 school cricket remains unconfirmed.
Albertus Kennedy, SWD Cricket's CEO, said the organisation would like to recognise such a unique and outstanding achievement, but does not maintain official records for this type of performance at any level, including SWD. "Based on enquiries, we could not verify a single officially recognised national record for the highest individual batting score in U13 schools cricket in the country," Kennedy said.
He added that SWD's coaching structures would keep an eye on Jordan and track his future career.
Google, however, indicates that the highest individual score identified in SWD high school (U19) cricket records is 276 not out, scored by Brian Jack of Sentraal High School in Beaufort West during the 2017/18 season. Before that, Renaldo Swartz of Oudtshoorn High School held the limited-overs league milestone with 218 runs against Imizamo Yethu Secondary School in February 2016.
In South African high school cricket, the highest individual score in a First XI 50-over match is listed as 241 runs, scored by Vihan Pretorius of Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) against Hoërskool Garsfontein.
Vihan surpassed the previous record of 240 runs, scored by Affies' Jorich van Schalkwyk against Cornwall Hill College in 2024. Jorich had broken the long-standing record of 186 runs set by AB de Villiers, also of Affies, against Pretoria Boys' High in 2002.
These figures relate to older age groups and do not establish an official U13 record for Jordan's innings.
Jordan wants to be the next Dewald Brevis
Speaking to the Herald, Jordan said his batting style is mainly inspired by Proteas star Dewald Brevis, who is also known for his no-look sixes.
Jordan describes himself as an aggressive batter who enjoys the ball coming on to the bat, but also backs himself against fancy spin bowling.
"For me, if the ball is on a good length for me to attack, I will 100% back myself to score off it. In cricket, I've also learnt that there will be good balls that must be respected, but if you put the bowler under pressure, he will adjust his length in your favour, and then you can punish him," he said.
Reflecting on his first triple century, Jordan said he had already passed 100 runs nine times in his young career. "When I passed 150 runs, I knew I could score 300 if I kept my head down, which was a dream come true for me," he said.
Although talented in rugby as well, Jordan confirmed that cricket is his preferred sport. His ambitions include playing in the SA20 and Indian Premier League (IPL), as well as representing the Proteas. He also acknowledged his coaches, the Knysna Initiative for Learning and Teaching, school, club and everyone who had played a role in his all-round development.
Coach and grandfather
Desmond van Rooyen, Jordan's coach and proud grandfather, said he recognised the youngster's potential from an early age.
"When I saw the manner in which he batted at KFC Mini Cricket many years ago, I knew he was going to be a special player. As a sportsman myself, I have coached him over the years, and the one thing that stands out for me is his willingness to keep learning, even though he is such a natural talent. From here onwards, he can only grow from strength to strength," he said.
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