Peter Kirsten

I was schooled at Selborne Primary in East London, spent 6 months at Selborne College before moving to Cape Town in 1968 where I attended SACHS.  I have a huge passion for the Border area and to be asked to become a Border Boys ambassador is a huge honour for me.

I returned to the Border region in 1990. Having played cricket for 17 years for Western Province, it held me in good stead to transfer my knowledge and experience into the Border Cricket set up. I stayed at Border until 1997 when I retired. The aim of joining Border cricket was to assist with the squad as Border had just returned to top flight cricket. I have fond memories of working alongside the Howell brothers and some great administrators to name but a few.  My last ever first class match was for Border v Griqualand West in 1997. It was great to be a part of the Border set up and since then there have been a lot of household names that have come through the ranks.

My passion for Border has always been with me. My late father Noel played cricket and hockey for Border and I remember wonderful club days at Buffs Cricket Club (once a Buff, always a Buff). There was a great rivalry between clubs which still exists today. I scored my highest score against the then Northern Transvaal which was 274 whilst playing for Border. My highest ever score was playing for the Rhodes University against Hamiltons in East London, scoring 294.

There are lot of emotional moments attached to the Border. The Border has great schools, a beautiful coastline, good industry and of course the sport, not just cricket but rugby and a number of other sports too. It gives an opportunity for young people to thrive and provides a good platform for life in general. Border has a rich history and the retention of the heritage and people is important.  The Border area is a very important historical area for South African sport, it might not be the most fashionable province but certainly has its importance, its beauty and history.  I am very proud and honoured to be an ambassador for Border Boys.

Representing South African Cricket as a Border cricketer is special to me. In my heyday whilst living in Cape Town and playing for Western Province, I had the opportunity to return to the Border region. Many of my friends said ” Kirsy, have you gone a bit crazy?”. I said “Maybe” but I knew what I was going into, playing alongside players like fellow ambassador Brenden Fourie.  Many individuals have come through the Border ranks like Pieter “Striker” Strydom, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Steve Palframan along with many other players who all come to mind. The heritage and passion of the Border region will always be with me. The continued association with fine people from the region that are in the UK now is important to me, hence accetping the role of a Border Boys ambassador.

The release of Nelson Mandela opened up avenues for South African sport. To be a Border cricketer and to be part of the very first South African cricket team tour to India in 1991 was an amazing time. Meeting Mother Theresa, playing for South Africa as a Border cricketer and getting back into Test cricket are memories that will be with me forever. Meeting Nelson Mandela personally was very special moment. The World Cup of 1992 that I took part in as a Border cricketer will remain with me forever. I had a terrific tournament. The tour of Enlgand in 1994 was special and a great experience, coupled with my years at Derbyshire cricket, times I will never forget.

I am based in UK, currently on the Isle of Man, still continuing to coach the game and looking for new opportunities. I love the idea of meeting up with friends, past and present and having a good catchup something that Border Boys embodies. I love my rugby, hiking and fishing off the rocks of the Eastern Cape, something that I do miss and of course meeting new people and reminscing is important to me.