Connor Esterhuizen (Clayton 2019) has become the ninth Old Johannian to represent South Africa in cricket, making his debut in the T20 International series currently underway in New Zealand. The opening match at Bay Oval featured a rare meeting of two Old Johannians on the cricket pitch, with Devon Conway (Nash 2009) in the line-up for the Black Caps.
One of five new caps in a youthful Proteas side, Connor’s selection follows exceptional form for the DP World Lions and in the Betway SA20. His path to the national side can be traced back to Mitchell Field, where he first played in a primary school festival before enrolling at the College. Once a student, he thrived from the outset, earning selection for the Central Gauteng Lions U15A and U17A provincial teams twice each.
Connor is grateful to the Masters who guided him. "Justin Sammons put so much time into my game and me as a person," he says. "He was the one who spotted me, and actually the reason I went to St John's."
That mentorship extended beyond the cricket nets. He remembers Lewis Manthatha, who kept him grounded and helped him realise his potential in his early years, and Adrian Norris, who was a constant presence throughout his school career. "Mr Norris was amazing throughout my career," Connor adds. "He guided me in cricket, but even more so in life."
However, his progress was not always a straight line. "In my Grade 11 and Matric year, not making either of the Gauteng A teams was a very tough pill to swallow," he recalled. "I think it might've made things harder and put things into perspective." This resilience, developed during his time at the College, served him well as he moved through the Wits University 1st team and into the Lions Academy.
Even as a professional, Connor had to remain patient. With players like Ryan Rickelton blocking his path with consistent runs, he bided his time before becoming a fixture in the Lions' side over the last two seasons. That patience was rewarded this season in the Four-Day Series, where he scored four centuries, including a double hundred, to finish with 791 runs at an average of 98.87.
When the national call arrived, he felt ready. "I knew I was in the mix," he told the Sunday Times. "When I saw the national selection convenor's name on the caller ID, it was the fulfilment of everything I dreamed of since I was a kid." He marked that debut in style, top-scoring with an unbeaten 45 and taking two catches behind the stumps to help secure a seven-wicket victory for South Africa.
To the younger cricketers out there, his message is simple: "Dream big, and you absolutely never know. You are not as far away as you may think, and anything is possible, as long as you work hard, want it more, and most importantly, enjoy the journey."
The Johannian community will be cheering him and the Proteas on as the series unfolds.
The other Old Johannians to have represented South Africa include Billy Zulch (1910), Neville Lindsay (1921), Bruce Mitchell (1929 to 1949), Ronnie Grieveson (1938/9), Owen Wynne (1946 to 1950), Russel Endean (1951 to 1958), Clive Rice (1992), and Mike Rindel (1994 to 1999).