From Clubhouse Chat to World Cup Cap: Andre Steyn’s Veterans Cricket Rise

“Let’s do it!”
Those three simple words were the spark.

Sitting with mates at Benoni Northerns Cricket Club one Saturday afternoon in 2022, Andre Steyn had no idea that a casual conversation over a few beers would ignite a journey that would take him all the way to representing South Africa at a Veterans World Cup. “We were chatting about sport, cricket, and just life in general. Someone mentioned this over-40s veterans league happening in Gauteng. Eight teams, proper setup—it sounded like something special,” Steyn recalls. "Let's do it!"

What followed is the kind of story that defines Veterans Cricket: A passionate, highly skilled cricketer finding new life in the game he loves—and excelling on the national and international stage well into his 50s.

Building Something From Scratch

At the time, Steyn and many of his club teammates were already over 40. “We played in the Saturday 3rd league—against guys 20 or 30 years younger—but we were still winning titles. The club called us the 'Legends', and honestly, it just fits,” he laughs.

Once the group heard about the possibility of playing competitive cricket in their own age category, there was no hesitation. “It was instant. We were all in. Same passion, same love for the game, but with like-minded players who understood balance—between cricket, life, and family.”

That evening, on 13 June 2022 at 8:57pm, Benoni Northerns reached out to Roger Moult via whatsapp, after finding his contact on the VCASA website. Roger, founder and chairperson of VCASA, instantly connected them with Frank Auger, who was running the Gauteng Lions veterans league. Both welcomed Benoni Northerns—and Bedfordview CC—with open arms, a clear sign of their vision to grow the game.

“The timing was perfect,” Steyn says. “Frank was planning the new Lions Vets season and immediately included us. We’ll always be grateful for that.”

Taking the Field

On 1 November 2022, Steyn captained the first-ever official Benoni Northerns Veterans side. Their debut? A night game against a powerful Glenvista team featuring the likes of Alviro Petersen and Gareth Flusk. “That game was an eye-opener. The quality was phenomenal—arguably better than our usual club cricket. We dropped Alviro early. He made us pay.”

Despite the loss, the tone was set. Under Steyn’s leadership, Benoni Northerns made the Lions Vets semifinal in their first season, narrowly losing to Boksburg in a high-scoring thriller—despite a stunning 108 off 37 balls from Kyle Smit.

A Captain Again — This Time for Easterns

Thanks to the vision of VCASA, Easterns were granted entry into the national Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) for over-40s in 2023. In just 10 weeks, they had to establish an official structure, hold trials, and select a squad. Steyn was named captain.

“I was just thrilled to be in the squad,” he says. “But to be named captain? That was a huge honour.” With talents like Kyle Smit, Pieter Booysen, and Johan van Rooyen in the squad, Easterns exceeded expectations, reaching the final against Western Province.

“It put Easterns Veterans Cricket on the map,” Steyn beams. “And we’ve only grown stronger since.”

Turning 50—and Turning Heads

Approaching 50, Steyn found himself eligible for the over-50s IPT. “Suddenly we had an entire Easterns veterans structure, a league with 8 teams, and a pathway to national honours. Two years ago, none of this existed.”

The 2024 IPT was tough. Easterns lost key players to injury and had a rocky start, but Steyn led from the front, finishing the tournament with an unbeaten 90 against the Dolphins. He averaged 53 with the bat, took 4 wickets, and ranked among the tournament's top 12 performers—earning him a call-up to the South Africa A squad for the Over-50s Africa Cup in Namibia.

Africa Cup: Making a Statement

Determined to improve on his IPT showing, Steyn ramped up his training. “I had a goal, and I trained for it—physically and mentally.”

A clubmate recalls, “Andre would jog to the club, run laps around the A-field, share a few laughs, then jog home again. You could see it—he was on a mission.”

At the Africa Cup, Steyn flourished. Batting at No. 3 and No. 4, he scored a composed 73 in the final against the Proteas Veterans, helping South Africa A post a strong total. Although the Proteas won the final, Steyn’s performances earned him the ultimate reward: selection for the Over-50s Proteas squad to compete at the World Cup in Sri Lanka.

From Benoni to the World Stage

“To be honest, it was emotional. Just two years before, I was sitting in the beer garden talking about this. Now I was representing South Africa at a World Cup.”

The World Cup had its ups and downs. A first-ball duck against Australia (“I don’t think I’ll ever get over that,” he laughs), a solid 43 against India, and a crucial partnership with Andrew Emslie to beat the UAE. Steyn finished the tournament with 136 runs and a wicket—another milestone in a journey defined by perseverance and passion.

Reflecting on the journey, Steyn shares,
“I’ve loved this beautiful game my whole life, but I never imagined I’d have the privilege of wearing my country’s colours. Even more precious than that, though, are the lifelong friendships this game has given me—bonds that go far beyond the boundary ropes and continue long after the final ball is bowled.”

He adds, “Thank you to my Creator, my wife, family and friends, Easterns Cricket Union, VCASA, my cricket club Benoni Northerns, and most of all to each and every player I’ve played with—giants in your own right. Without you, none of this would’ve been possible.”

What’s Next?

With the 2025 Easterns Veterans League kicking off this week, Steyn is back in the thick of it—focused on both Benoni Northerns and earning his place in the Easterns over-50s IPT squad.

“This year the competition for selection is fierce. So many players have now turned 50. I want to contribute to Northerns as much as I can, and if I earn my spot for IPTs, help Easterns match what the over-40s achieved last month.”

The Spirit of Veterans Cricket

Andre Steyn’s story captures the heart of what Veterans Cricket is all about: rediscovery, opportunity, and passion.

From a casual chat over a beer to the global stage, Veterans Cricket continues to prove that for those who love the game, the journey never really ends. It just changes shape.

And sometimes, it all begins with three words:
“Let’s do it.”