GBets Rocks’ experienced pair of Shaun von Berg and Hardus Viljoen stood tall and inspired the home side to a score of 268 for eight on day one of their CSA 4-day Challenge match against the Multiply Titans at Boland Park on Saturday.
Hardus Viljoen (56*) and Siyabonga Mahima (6*) were at the crease at stumps.
Von Berg and Viljoen were two of the three Rocks players to score 50s on day one.
Janneman Malan led the way with a 130-ball 51, then Von Berg top-scored with 67 from 135 and Viljoen raced to an unbeaten 56 off 94.
Von Berg and Viljoen put up a lower-order resistance after the Rocks’ shambolic start to their innings.
STUMPS: Day 1 comes to a close with the rocks on 262-8. We resume tomorrow at 10:00.
— Momentum Multiply Titans (@Titans_Cricket) November 4, 2023
Aya Gqamane3-56
Dayyaan Galiem 2-53
Sibz Makhanya 1-25#4DaySeries | #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/dTDPGXiwem
On the morning of day one, Janneman Malan hopelessly watched as his partners were dismissed by the Titans’ pacers.
By the 21st over, the home side had four wickets, Maahir Joseph (11), Keegan Petersen (8), Stiaan van Zyl (0) and Aviwe Mgijima (0).
After lunch, it looked like Malan and Clyde Fortuin were on track to rebuilding the Rocks’ innings but their promising partnership was dismantled by Aaron Phangiso’s dismissal of the Proteas star.
GQAMANE THE PICK OF THE BOWLERS
Malan scored a patient 51 off 130 deliveries and it was his 14th First Class half-century.
With Malan gone, a lot was riding on Fortuin’s stay at the crease, but the 28-year-old wicketkeeper fell for 35 off 142 a few overs later and the onus fell on the broad shoulders of the Rocks’ most experienced duo.
Von Berg, who turned 37 in September, and Viljoen, who turned 34 in March, combined for a match-saving 72 runs.
During their partnership, von Berg reached his 24th First Class half-century.
Viljoen brought his 50 up not too long after his partner’s dismissal. It is his eighth half-ton.
Aya Gqamane was the pick of the bowlers for the Titans. The experienced pacer put on a masterclass with the new ball that put the home side under a lot of pressure.
He was rewarded with a solitary wicket in the morning session and bagged another two when he returned for his second session in the afternoon.
He finished the day with figures of three wickets for 56 runs in 21 overs.
ROCKS: Akhona Mnyaka, Aviwe Mgijima, Clyde Fortuin (wk), Grant Viljoen, Glenton Stuurman, Janneman Malan, Keegan Petersen (c), Maahir Joseph, Shaun Von Berg, Siyabonga Mahima, Stiaan van Zyl
TITANS: Neil Brand (c), Dean Elgar, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Dewald Brevis, Sibonelo Makhanya, Donovan Ferreira, Dayyaan Galiem, Merrick Brett, Ayabulela Gqamane, Aaron Phangiso, Tladi Bokako