Ruan Cronje

  • D.O.B.: 23/06/2001
  • Player Type: Batting All-Rounder (Spin)
  • Availabilty: Yes
  • Nationality: South African
  • Playing Role: Right-handed Middle Order Batter and Right-arm Leg Spin
  • Coaching qualifications: Cricket South Africa Level 1 (ECB Level 2 Equivalent)
  • Recent teams: Kwa-Zulu Natal (RSA Provincial), University of KZN (Natal Premier League), South Africa U19
  • Entry route: International Sportspersons Visa
  • Available: April to September

*****Available for Holland & Ireland Only*****

Ruan Cronje is an exciting talent from the Free State region of South Africa that is now based in Durban. An attacking Right-handed Top/Middle Order Batsman, Ruan is also a very capable but developing Right-arm leg-spinner. Having been schooled at the renowned St Andrews, Bloemfontein, Ruan was a regular feature in various age-group sides from Under 15 level through to the U19 side to participate in the prestigious Khaya Majola Coke Week National U19 championships. He would then go on to selection for the VKB Knights Franchise Cubs squad and the South African Colts XI.

Over 1000 runs & 54 wickets across all age groups and school cricket in 2018-19 triggered his selection in the Knights Cubs. Ruan showed the selection was very much justified, scoring 240 runs @ 48.00 and 15 wickets @ 10.53 for the Knights at the National Cubs week in 2019-20. Having shot the lights out for the school and the province with both bat and ball, it would only be a matter of time before outside interest would pique and so it did, the Dolphins swooping on the youngster and relocating him to Durban to join the Hollywood Bets Dolphins Academy and link with the Kwa-Zulu Natal First Class squad early in 2020.

At just 18, Ruan made his first-class debut in February 2020 for his new province in the 2019–20 CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup and made his List A debut that same week in the 2019–20 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge. He only managed 2 appearances in club cricket in Durban, scoring a cracking 80* against ACC in the Premier League in his last game.

In summer 2022, Ruan headed to Ireland, linking with Clontarf CC in the Leinster League. His first stint abroad was excellent, scoring 524 runs and bagging 40 wickets @ 19.45 with a best of 5-26 vs Railway Union. He returned to Clontarf in 2023, bagging 26 wickets @ 20.62.

Seeking a Northern Hemisphere off season again, Ruan seeks to join an ambitious and competitive club in the EU next summer. He will be an excellent pick up for a club seeking a genuine spin-bowling all-rounder that has a proven record abroad.

Team Season Matches Innings Runs
Clontarf CC 2023 19 15 310
HS Average Wickets Average Best Bowling
62* 23.85 26 20.62 4-16
Team Season Matches Innings Runs
Clontarf CC 2022 23 22 524
HS Average Wickets Average Best Bowling
77* 27.58 40 19.45 5-26
Team Season Matches Innings Runs
UKZN CC 1st XI 2019-20 2 2 101
HS Average Wickets Average Best Bowling
80* 101.00 2 33.50 1-33
Team Season Matches Innings Runs
Knights Cubs/Free State U19 2018-19 11 11 342
HS Average Wickets Average Best Bowling
111 38.00 22 17.00 5-20