2008, Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Malaysia – Virat Kohli and the triumphant Indian team were the buzz. It was Kohli’s first step towards what would eventually culminate into stardom beyond dreams. It was also a tournament that offered a first glimpse of future luminaries like Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim Southee.
Now, even after a staggering 17 years, in the era of YouTube and instant highlights, when you enter the search query “2008 Under-19 World Cup", the first suggestion that unfailingly pops up is not a montage of the aforementioned players but rather a bunch of videos of the unforgettable brilliance of a certain Sybrand Engelbrecht from South Africa.
South Africa played admirably to the finals, where they met India. Only three games counted toward Engelbretch’s Under-19 World Cup total; he batted for 10 balls for eight runs and bowled eight overs, picking up one wicket. But, it was Engelbretch’s exceptional fielding prowess, reminiscent of the famous Jonty Rhodes, which left an indelible impression on those who followed the U-19 World Cup.
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Engelbretch’s famous catch – a Superman-esque, gravity-defying leap in the slip cordon – came against Papua New Guinea, and in the final, he plucked two out of thin air to dismiss Kohli and Tanmay Srivastava.
Yet, after that, Engelbrecht seemed to fade into obscurity.
Unlike his counterparts, he never made it to the international stage at the senior level for the Proteas, even though he averaged upwards of 40 for Cape Cobras in both List A and First-class cricket. He eventually quit the game in 2016.
In 2009 though, South Africa deviated from protocol in a Test match against Australia at Newlands by selecting Engelbrecht as the substitute fielder instead of Wayne Parnell, the 12th man. That he was included in the team at all is a testament to how great he was in the field back then.
Hailing from Johannesburg, Engelbrecht has honed his cricketing skills attending Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, following in the footsteps of greats like AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis.
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Many believed Engelbrecht would become the next Jonty Rhodes, but it was not to be. However, now, cricket has given this blonde bundle of energy another shot. At 35, Engelbrecht walked out to the middle for his ODI debut in a World Cup no less last night (Monday) – something many of his U-19 teammates never managed.
Engelbrecht made his debut for the Netherlands against New Zealand in Hyderabad in Match 7 of the World Cup 2023. Despite a heavy defeat for the Dutch side, Engelbrecht batted for 34 deliveries for 29 runs. However, it was his exceptional fielding, showcasing his ambidextrous abilities, that again truly stood out.
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“It’s a dream come true. I think every young cricket player aspires to play international cricket and to achieve that at a World Cup is truly special. It’s a moment I’ll fondly look back on," he went on to say after the match.
But how did someone who quit the game in 2016, get back into it?
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After retirement, Engelbrecht started on a significant personal and professional voyage. Following his completion of an MBA degree in January 2017, he traded in his bat and pads for business boardroom gear.
“I completed my Master’s in Business Administration," Engelbrecht reminisces, adding, “I retired from cricket in December 2016 and started working for Fairtree in January 2017. During my cricket career, I pursued a finance degree and postgraduate studies in project management. Two years into my job, I pursued a Master’s in Business Administration at Stellenbosch Business School. I didn’t play much cricket during those years."
In 2021, Engelbrecht, moved to the Netherlands with his wife and their six-month-old boy, and as luck would have it, cricket came back into his life.
“When my family and I moved to the Netherlands, I took up cricket again as a way to integrate into the community and make friends. I realized how much I missed it and fell in love with the game once more."
The country’s significant South African-born contingent provided him with an opportunity to continue playing cricket. “I play for Voorburg Cricket Club (VCC). Over the past three years, our club has performed exceptionally well, reaching three finals in the highest level of Dutch cricket called Topklasse. We’ve built a strong foundation within the club, with several players in the Dutch setup. While representing VCC, I had the opportunity to test my skills against these players and contribute where possible. Playing for the Netherlands was always in the back of my mind, but it became more apparent after we explored my eligibility following the qualifiers," he said.
Once he became eligible, Engelbrecht was drafted to the Netherlands A team and there he met an old acquaintance – Ryan Cook – the Netherlands’ head coach, someone who had worked with Engelbrecht at Cape Cobras. Things were falling into place now.
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As they say, surprises abound in life. Unexpectedly, seven years after his final professional cricket match and one week before turning thirty-five, Engelbrecht was called up for the World Cup.
“The management team, led by Ryan Cook, has created an exceptional environment. While we may not be playing to our full potential yet, I genuinely believe Dutch cricket is heading in the right direction. With more resources and time, we can become a formidable force in the future. We might not be on par with the bigger cricketing nations, but we’re working hard with the resources we have to make an impact," Engelbrecht spoke of Cook’s impact in Dutch cricket.
Even though the Netherlands ended their Hyderabad campaign with two losses and as they move to Dharamsala for their next game vs South Africa, Engelbrecht, who has just started his journey – in a manner of speaking – will be up against his own. As it turns out, none from his U-19 team is in the current SA squad, barring Reeza Hendricks.
Life has a curious way of unfolding, often returning full circle in the most unexpected and surprising of manners. Engelbrecht as a teenager would have dreamt of standing for his country’s national anthem before a World Cup game; he gets that wish, but as an opposition player. However, he won’t find himself torn between loyalties. “We’re here to compete and demonstrate that Dutch cricket is on the right path. While I’m here, I’ll give my all for Dutch cricket," he added.
Before rushing off, when asked if people still remind him of his U-19 catch he quipped, “Now and again, yes. But I’m a little bit older now."
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