CAPE TOWN – Dale Steyn has a penchant for jumping out of aeroplanes, climbing the highest cliff, and surfing the biggest waves. In essence, he is a self-confessed adrenaline junkie.
Equally, though, his blood starts pumping a little faster when he sees the next generation unleashing cricket balls in the region of 150km/*. So, having had the opportunity to watch new Cape Town Blitz pace sensation Anrich Nortje first-hand over the weekend in the Mzansi Super League, Steyn is beside himself with excitement.
“I am a big fan of the extremes, whether it is extreme hitting, extreme fielding, and especially, extreme fast bowling. Anrich really gets me excited. When he gets the likes of AB de Villiers to take two balls to have a look - and AB prides himself on not having a dot ball bowled to him, but he let two balls go through - he can be pretty proud himself about that,” Steyn said.
Anrich Nortje during the MSL match between Durban Heat and Cape Town Blitz at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Sunday.Photo: Leon Lestrade/African News Agency (ANA)
Having been the national team’s pace spearhead for the past 14 years, Steyn has often been asked about his successor on the global stage.
Steyn believes Nortje certainly has a bright future.
He could be a multi-millionaire by the end of December when the IPL auction gets underway because there are a handful of bowlers that can bowl 150km/*. So if you can stand up and get the big batsmen out, people are going to have eyes on you,” Steyn said.