SJ Erwee

Sarel Erwee is an outstanding opening batter who, between February 2022 and Jan 2023, featured in 10 Test matches for South Africa hitting 479 runs at 26.61 with a century against New Zealand.

A powerful left-handed batter, Erwee was finally rewarded with Test inclusion following more than a decade of relentless run-scoring in domestic cricket. Nevertheless, after 11,000 plus runs across red and white ball domestic cricket, Erwee was rewarded his Proteas cap, making his debut against New Zealand at Hagley Oval.

It didn’t take long for Erwee to find his feet at international level, with his maiden century (108) coming in only his second match, again at the Hagley Oval, against a Blackcaps attack featuring Southee, Henry, Jamieson, de Grandhomme, and Wagner.

Erwee would go on to play 2 matches against Bangladesh, then 3 vs England, with a top score of 73 against the latter in the first Test at Lord’s. Unfortunately, a lean run during the 3-Test series in Australia (112 runs at 22.40) resulted in his dumping ahead of the Windies Tests (Feb 2023) in favour of Aiden Markram.

Nevertheless, Erwee fulfilled a life-long ambition, by playing Test cricket. Whilst he didn’t rack up the volume of runs he would have liked, and what he’s done for a decade in domestic cricket, he has fulfilled his dream.

Erwee has returned to the domestic fold, where he continued to churn runs aplenty for Durban-based Dolphins. In first-class cricket alone, after 119 matches he has 7,175 runs at 37.56 with 13 centuries and highest score of 206*. His List A numbers are even better, with a further 4 centuries amongst 2,823 runs at 39.76.

Whilst we’re talking about numbers, it’s fair to say his stats in England are quite exceptional. After run-filled stints with Bury (2011 - 1,243 runs at 56.50 and 42 wickets at 20) and Cuckfield (2012 - 725 runs at 51.79 and 29 wickets at 19.31), he spent 7 incredible summers with Surrey Championship side Weybridge (2013-17, 2022, 2024).

The 2013 Erwee hit the headlines, breaking the Surrey Championship record for the number of consecutive hundreds, hitting scores of 110, 129, 116 and 140. He topped the Premier run-charts with 974 runs at 64.93. In all cricket for Weybridge, Erwee churned out 1,680 runs at 84 with 7 centuries including a highest score of 203*. He also weighed in with 30 wickets at 22.90.

Erwee went on to play 7 seasons for Weybridge and whilst he didn't reach the dizzy heights of his opening season, he still managed to plunder 4,640 runs at 45.49 with 11 centuries alongside 55 wickets with his off-spin. Following the 2024 season, Erwee currently sits as the 7th leading run-scorer in the Premier Division of the Surrey Championship – a competition that is widely recognised as the strongest ECB Premier League in the country.

Not only has Erwee excelled with his on-field exploits, but he has earned rave reviews courtesy of his dedication to his respective clubs off the field. He is a passionate, level 2 accredited coach, highly motivated trainer and a genuinely nice bloke, who has integrated exceptionally well with all club members.

For the 2025 season, the South African star is set for pastures new having signed with Rochdale for their 2025 Lancashire League campaign.