Enterprising cricketer Eathan Bosch may not have had the chance to learn from his father Tertius Bosch — one of the fastest bowlers of his generation — but the SA20 rising star is determined to honour him through his career while also becoming his own man.
His lanky, quick father used to frustrate batters with the ability to swing the ball at pace when he played for the Proteas during South Africa’s reintroduction to international cricket in the early 1990s and represented the country at its first World Cup in 1992.
Tertius died on Valentine’s Day of 2000, when Eathan was just two years old. “I’m obviously trying to make my dad proud and that’s all I can do,” said Eathan, whose older brother Corbin played for the Paarl Royals in the SA20.
“To actually follow in the footsteps of my family members is pretty cool for me because I don’t see it as a pressure to try to succeed or anything like that.”
I heard a lot of stories about my dad in terms of what a gentle giant he was and all of that. I’m trying to follow in his footsteps
— Eathan Bosch
Eathan, 24, looks destined for great things following his impressive exploits in the SA20 inaugural season.
The Dolphins player helped the Pretoria Capitals into the tournament’s final and was named the SA20 Rising Star after taking 15 wickets at an average of 21.40.
When he was picked for the Capitals, Eathan didn’t expect to get a lot of game time, but was excited to be among some of the best cricketers in the world and learn from them.
“I feel like I am my own person ... Obviously, to follow in my dad’s and brother’s footsteps has been pretty special because it doesn’t happen too often when you have a parent or a brother that is in the same industry as you,” he said.
“There were so many other great players that were in the tournament that could have also gotten it, so I think it was my time to get it. It was pretty special because I’m trying to be my own man and this kind of helps me in that journey.”
Eathan has an idea of what kind of person and cricketer his father was, thanks to the youngster’s close relationship with former Proteas player Dale Benkenstein, who played with Tertius.
“With regard to my dad, there have been so many players I looked up to growing up — such as Jacques Kallis and Dale Benkenstein, who I’m very close to — so I definitely had people I can model my game around in terms of how I want to play cricket,” he said.
“I heard a lot of stories about my dad in terms of what a gentle giant he was and all of that. I’m trying to follow in his footsteps.”
A former Junior Proteas player, Eathan aims to keep improving and work his way into the senior national set-up. The seamer has been on the radar for a while, having been part of the South African emerging squad recently.
“For me, it’s out of my control but I know that I need to continue doing my best and the rest will take care of itself.”
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