Kleinveldt ready to hit the ground running with the Boys in Blue
- Cricket SA
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read

World Sports Betting Western Province Men's new head coach, Rory Kleinveldt, has expressed his excitement as he embarks on a new chapter with the Boys in Blue ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Kleinveldt was appointed as the men’s team head coach last month, marking his return to WSB Newlands Cricket Ground following a successful stint in the UK as lead bowling coach for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club.
Seated on the second-floor balcony of the Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC), overlooking the picturesque and welcoming Newlands Forest, a conservancy area on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain with a cup of coffee in hand ahead of the teams’ indoor morning session, Kleinveldt shared what it means to be back at Newlands Cricket Ground.
“Obviously flying in from the UK, seeing the mountains, always something special, you know. Coming to Newlands every day, what a place to work, you know,” said Kleinveldt
“Absolutely love the place and really excited to be back and hopefully make a big difference in Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA).
“Look, I mean, the plan was always to come back at some point, probably a little bit sooner than expected, to be honest. But in saying that, I think I'm pretty much ready for this opportunity.
“I've obviously got strong connections with the players, just remedial fundamental work for the first couple of weeks and then we'll get into nets and more game scenario situation type training and the boys are looking good.”
The 42-year-old says he’s hopeful the team will have a strong build-up to the start of the summer and hit the ground running.
He believes that all the hard work ultimately comes down to making the fans proud, especially through the team's style of play.
“I think for me that's a big thing. What's our philosophy, what's our way of doing things and we always look to be positive and try and take the game forward as much as we can,” he said.
“So hopefully all the guys buy into that and we can move forward and put teams under pressure in that way.
“I look at the squad and I see a talented group of players who probably, by their own admittance, underperformed a little bit last year. There are various factors behind that, I think, injuries and national team call-ups and all those kinds of things.
“But for me, it's making sure that we are ready for those eventualities, you know and if we do pick up injuries, making sure the guys that are coming in are well equipped to step up and fulfil whatever role it is that they were given.
“So that's pretty much what the thinking is going forward. I think if we're doing well, we're going to lose players to the national team. So, for me, it's about making sure the guys that are next in line are well equipped to come in.”
As a new era begins under his guidance and leadership, Kleinveldt aims to see more WSB WP players included in the national setups, something he believes is achievable if the Boys in Blue perform well.
“I'm extremely proud of the guys, I know the hard work that these guys put into their games,” Kleinveldt continued.
“So, it's not really a surprise to me that they've made the step up. Obviously for them now, the challenge is staying there and being consistent at that level.
“And hopefully we can help them along on that journey as well. I've always said if Western Province cricket is strong, South African cricket is strong. So, for us, it's about putting in good performances on the field.”
With off-season training well underway under strength and conditioning coach Dieter Swanepoel, Kleinveldt is pleased with the work the team has put in so far.
He believes that playing a lot of internal games before the season kicks off will be really important.
“Hopefully we have the facilities available. We know the weather's always a challenge in Cape Town over this period,” he added.
“But for me, having a good look at the next crop of players as well is going to be hugely important going forward.
“Knowing what we have in our stocks and working with that and making sure that, like I mentioned earlier, that they are up to speed if ever we need to call on them.”
Comments