FEATURE: Jiveshan Pillay, New to the Boys In Blue

June 2025

NEWLANDS – World Sports Betting (WSB) Western Province Men’s latest recruit Jiveshan Pillay can’t wait to make his mark at the iconic World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground.

Born and bred in the small town of eMuziwezinto, previously and still commonly known as Umzinto, Pillay’s calling to play cricket started at an early age.

“I think I started playing cricket a bit late,” said Pillay.

“I only started at 10 or so. My first memory of cricket was probably watching the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. I just remember watching Matthew Hayden and the way he was just smashing everybody.”

“I used to stand in front of the TV with a broom and mimic him, that’s how it started. My dad then took me to Baker’s Mini Cricket for a little bit.”

The 26-year-old made the KwaZulu-Natal under 11 and under 13 before going on to attend Maritzburg College in Pietermaritzburg, where he completed high school.

“After that, I went to study at the University of Pretoria,” he said.

“I think that’s where it really kicked off for me. I started playing for the Northerns amateur side, or semi-pro as it was back then and played a couple of games for the Momentum Multiply Titans.

“Eventually when the new structure was introduced, I was contracted for the Titans for two years. And then, the last two years I played for the [Dafabet] Warriors in Gqeberha.”

Pillay can’t wait to get off the mark with the Boys In Blue, a place he calls his favourite ground.

“Newlands is my favourite ground, I think it’s one of the most beautiful grounds in the world,”

“It’s the poster stamp for South African grounds, – I love playing here – so, to call it home now, it’s a great feeling and I can’t wait to get going.”

Newlands as a home will always be special for Pillay. He recalls how he secured his maiden First Class 100 at the iconic Newlands.

“I scored my first first-class hundred here,” he says. “That was a very special moment for me, but I suppose doing it on this ground made it even more special.

“I think coming to Western Province was definitely an option for me, I think there were some discussions in the past, but at the time, I thought the Warriors was the best move, but I didn’t see the Warriors as sort of a long-term plan for me. When Western Province approached me, I thought I couldn’t say no.

“I think it’s a great team. I’m friends with quite a lot of the guys here.”

Pillay says the Newlands Faithful can expect a lot from him this season.

“I think for the fans, they can definitely expect runs from me, but also runs in a winning cause,” he added.

“I mean, there’s no point scoring runs if we’re not going to win games or win trophies. I’m quite a competitor, I enjoy winning and I’m definitely going to try and add that to the team to try and make us more successful.”