Breakthrough season and fun in the sun for WP all-rounder Breed and co

Mark Ward

Josh Breed, the Western Province all-rounder, is riding a wave of opportunity as he builds a career he hopes will lead to Proteas colours and a place on the global T20 circuit.

The 26-year-old, who considers himself an all-rounder, has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Cape Town. His bowling remains his strongest asset, but he is determined to become a more complete cricketer by improving his batting. He bats at three for his club side, Claremont, where he is also captain, but aims to slot in at five at professional level. On Saturday, he helped Claremont secure a five-wicket win over high-flying Rondebosch by taking 3/43 in his 10 overs.

Speaking to Cape Community Newspapers amid the vibrant atmosphere of the Sporting Chance Calypso Beach Cricket Festival, at Sunrise Beach, last week, Breed reflected on a season of rapid growth.

“Coach Rory Kleinveldt has really backed me. The confidence he’s instilled in me has helped me excel. Professional cricket is a massive step up from club cricket. At this level, preparation is far more technical. You study batters, analyse their plans, and figure out how to get them out. Club cricket doesn’t offer that structure,” said Breed.

Kleinveldt, who worked with Breed at Colts level, has followed his progress closely, and Breed values that familiarity.

“He knows how I performed in the Colts team, and having a coach who understands your game that well is very encouraging,” he added.

Breed’s performances in the CSA T20 Challenge underlined his potential. He finished fifth on the wicket-taking charts with 11 scalps in eight matches, including a best of 3/33 against Boland. Domestically, he was also the leading wicket-taker in the 2024–25 WPCA Premier League and topped the national three-day Colts bowling standings in the same season.

His momentum has been building for some time. He made his One-Day Cup debut last season and was named Western Province Academy Player of the Year. His rise has run alongside Claremont Cricket Club’s journey; the 2022–23 WPCA Premier League champions have since stabilised mid-table under a restructured coaching setup.

This past weekend brought another milestone as Breed made his T20 debut for Western Province, sharing the moment with fellow newcomer Mbulelo Dube.

“I was super excited. I have spoken to coach Rory a lot about the possibility of getting a chance, so I felt prepared. I’d done loads of white-ball prep. I was nervous for the first ball I bowled and the first one I faced as well, but once that was out of the way, it was great fun,” he explained.

As focus shifts to the Four-Day Challenge, Breed says confidence in the camp remains high for a strong campaign.

“It was disappointing at times earlier in the season, but the beauty of cricket is that you can move forward with so much confidence. My game has grown tremendously, and as a team, we’re in a good space heading into the four-day competition. With the SA20 break coming up, this is a great chance to build momentum,” he said.