Eben Botha

Eben Botha is a high-quality Left Handed Opening Batsman schooled at the renowned Cricket School, Waterkloof and now playing professionally for North West in the South African Provincial system. A hard hitting opener, he looks a little “warner-esque” in his stature and power game. Eben also bowls both Off & Leg Spin.

A former North West age group player, Eben represented the province in his teens and after completing school, headed to the UK for a season as an amateur, joining Walton-on-Thames Cricket Club in the Surrey League in 2018. He put in a good shift first time over, scoring 596 runs @ 35.06 and chipping in with 20 wickets with his off-breaks. He is now also bowling Leg Spin in Premier League Cricket.

In summer 2019-20, pre-COVID, Eben made his top flight debut for North West in a 50-over game against Northern Cape in Nov ’19 and his First Class debut a week later against Kwa-Zulu Natal. Whilst his first 2 games in the big time didn’t yield the return he’d like, his next 2 knocks announced his arrival with an impressive 93-ball 76 with 10 boundaries in a one dayer and then his maiden First Class Hundred, with 102 (133) against KZN Inland.

In Summer 2021-22, Eben made his T20 debut and was the 2nd Highest run-scorer for North West in the Cricket South Africa T20 cup with a best of 41 in the Quarter Final against Boland helping set up a win and progressing to the ill-fated Semi-Final against the Knights. In pursuit of a misely 128 to win, Eben had struck 21* (8) when the rain came and with North West at 42-0 after 15 balls, the game was cancelled and based on Net Run Rate, the Knights moved to the final and were the eventual winners, oh what could have been.

Eben joined Coggeshall Town CC for the 2022 summer, blazing his way to 1168 runs @ 46.72 and helping himself to 29 wickets @ 16.07.

Seeking a return to the UK next summer, Eben will be studying online during the season but is keen to make his mark in UK Cricket and is a very social character to have around the club.