At 20 years of age, Mduduzi Dlabantu already possesses that steely temperament usually associated with the very best, seasoned cricketers.
He rescued his side with the bat on two occasions at the University Sports South Africa tournament in December, suggesting a natural ability to stand up and be counted when the chips are down.
His half-century and two wickets against NWU-Vaal in Fort Hare’s do-or-die group fixture, followed by a knock of 40 against UCT in the B-section playoff, were crucial to securing his side’s place in the final.
The leg-spinning all-rounder, who was born and bred in Gugulethu in Cape Town, began studying towards a fine arts diploma at the university last year, but his very best strokes were not all reserved for the canvas.
His journey to Alice started taking shape in 2023 when he was invited by his cousin to play in a cricket tournament in the small Eastern Cape town of Debe Nek.
There, a former teammate of Fort Hare coach Jongile Kilani, who was impressed with what he saw, recommended Dlabantu considered studying at the institution where he could develop his game under excellent mentors.
To become a master of the fine art of spin-bowling was never part of his plan while going through his paces at school.
Fort Hare’s Mduduzi Dlabantu announced his arrival as a player to watch at the USSAs in December. Photo: Full Stop Communications
Like many of his peers, he was initially drawn in by the allure of pace. But, by his mid-teens, he realised that the blitz and the beautiful wasn’t his destiny and he started considering delivering the slower version to opponents.
As many of the players at Plumstead High School were pursuing off-spin, he chose the “rarer” option of turning the ball from the wrist and slowly but surely learnt the subtleties of the most difficult of bowling disciplines.
He credits Forties (Fort Hare’s 1st XI) bowling coach Thabang Sqoko for helping him plan his over to maximise the bamboozlement of the recipients 22 yards away. It was all about when to deliver leggies or sliders or wrong’uns and to which batsmen these should be directed.
He has also come into his own as a dependable middle-order batsman.
While he had little to do in Fort Hare’s convincing victory over Madibaz B in their USSA opener, his talents came to the fore in their third game against NWU-Vaal.
When he came in at number six, his side were struggling at 88/4. But he crafted a superb 50 off 55 balls in a partnership with Sisonke Mazele to give his team a score to bowl at.
He proceeded to remove NWU’s key batsman at a crucial stage, eventually bagging a brace.
Had it not been for the five-for taken by skipper Siphesihle Madlongolwana, he surely would have been named man of the match.
In the semi-final against UCT, he walked onto the field to a familiar script: the Forties were in trouble – this time at 38/4.
He again found a willing partner in Mazele (78 not out) to help him steady the Fort Hare ship before solid stroke play by the duo got them to a credible 228/8.
Dlabantu said his team were exceptional in the field when it came to defending their total.
“We had to put the pressure on, so our fielding was vital. I didn’t bowl but our fielding was outstanding and we got them out for 156.”
As much as failing to beat Madibaz A in the final had been disappointing, he said there were a lot of positives to take away from the tournament.
This includes the belief that they can win the B-section later this year to gain promotion to the top tier in 2026.
Although Dlabantu sees himself playing cricket professionally, he recognises that getting there will require perseverance and commitment to the nth degree.
“I have Iinyathi Colts in mind but, for now, I’m taking it one step at a time, one game at a time,” he explained.
His method is quite simple: improve weaknesses and strengthen strengths interspersed with some serious personal peptalks.
“I do a lot of self-talk, even in the nets, because that’s what I need to do in a game.”