YouTube, building a legacy and soaking up criticism... Thando Ntini is braced for the big time

NICK HOWSON: Ahead of his T20 franchise debut, the teenager speaks of the pressure of trying to emerge from the shadow of his illustrious father

The annals of sport are dominated by the chequered tales of those who strived to build on their family name. Johan Cruyff, Joe Frazier and Graham Hill are just a selection of those who have watched on as their offspring try to replicate and evoke memories of their own spells in the sun. For every magnificent success, there is a shuddering failure. No bloodline can guarentee glory.

Thando Ntini is among the latest batch of sporting sons and daughters attempting to supplement and eventually eclipse what has gone before. His father Makhaya barely requires an introduction, having played 101 Tests, 173 one-day internationals and 10 T20Is for South Africa. Only two players in history have more international wickets across all formats for The Proteas than his 661. Above all else, as the first black cricketer to represent his county, he is a legend of the modern game.

Initial signs that Ntini Jr could emulate him are encouraging. In 2018, he played three times at the Under-19 World Cup, a tournament even his dad didn't grace. His first-class and List A debuts followed before he turned 19. Outings for Western Province and Cape Cobras have come in dispatches, as have stellar performances, which mark him out as a genuine allrounder.

Perhaps most impressive, however, is Ntini's mental state. Following in the footsteps of one of South African cricket's most cherished sons is a prospect which would leave even the most grounded individuals crippled with fear. But it is a challenge he is approaching in a pragmatic manner, with the focus on developing himself as a person and allowing his cricket to follow.

“It goes hand-in-hand with your game,” he told The Cricketer. “If you're not growing yourself as a person, you're not really doing much growing. Whereas if you can grow aspects of your personality off the field you're well set.

“It all starts at home where my parents always taught me that you always want to be the best version of yourself that you can be.

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“Obviously if you respect the people around you and you respect the game then you're halfway down the road already.

“If your work ethic is so high, if you can put them together then you're already one step ahead in terms of development and growing in aspects of life and the game.”

Ntini has found that sometimes hard work isn't enough to stave off even the sternest detractors. His path into the upper echelons of the sport have been questioned due to the fame achieved by his dad. It has merely led to him working harder to convince his critics that his rapid assent is not without foundation.

“From a very young age there was a lot of expectation so it was really hard,” he added. “People would be very negative because they'd say I'd make the team because of my father. They didn't really acknowledge the hard work that you go through to make those teams. I've tried to build my own legacy and my own name and put myself out there and not be associated under my dad's shadow - as my own man.

“Over the years I have always worked as hard as I have to prove a point that I am here for a reason. I worked hard to get where I am. Over the years as my performances on the field have been advertised in the media people have come to acknowledge my hard work to get where I am today. My surname is just a bonus for me so I just keep working harder to keep it going.”

Such scrutiny - which has largely operated on a domestic level - is set to become global. Ntini was picked up as a wildcard for the second edition of the Mzansi Super League by Paarl Rocks, in what will be his first exposure to the world of T20 franchise cricket.

Led by South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis, he will also be surrounded by familiar faces in the form of JP Duminy, Hardus Viljoen and Cameron Delport. Opponents will include Quinton de Kock, Moeen Ali, Shoaib Malik, Jason Roy, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers. Perhaps understandably, Ntini - with an experienced head on young shoulders - has scaled back his expectations.

“It is not going to be easy playing against experienced cricketers,” he stated. “They have been playing this game long enough. I haven't played much T20 cricket over the years and this is obviously a massive challenge for me just to settle in and keep calm in tough situations. 

“Obviously this is an opportunity to learn from all the senior players and who are playing in other teams as well. It is about trying to adapt as quickly as possible.

“As much as I want to make an impression I don't want to put unnecessary pressure on myself. I am just trying to do the task at hand to the best of my ability.

“All the teams have got really, really strong sides with some serious international players, Proteas players and franchise players. The teams as a whole are full of fireworks so I am just excited to witness all of this first hand.”

The tournament will be as much as fact-finding mission as anything for the right-arm quick, given the wealth of experience around him in Paarl.

“You do want to get feedback from them after training and then you can go back and find out how you did and make sure you come back the very next day and try and improve on things you need to improve on,” Ntini explained. “That does help, having the likes of Faf, JP, Cameron Delport and Hardus; all those experienced players who have played abroad and for The Proteas. That does help, and to hone your mental approach to the game in pressure situations.”

Despite the obvious similarities between father and son, Makhaya appears to have a hands-off approach when it comes to lending advice. The pair seldom discuss his trials and tribulations, which reflects the way in which Thando has been bought up.

“My parents have always had strong beliefs over how to grow a child and directing me in the right path. I try and consult him as much as I can but that is the significance difference in my career.

“My parents never put any pressure on me at all in regards to what I want to do whether it be to play other sports or study.

“They have given me the responsibility from a young age to decide what I actually what I want to do when I grow up and fully support me in whatever decision I take. They influence my decision-making but the final call for whatever I want to do comes from me.”

Though Ntini is keen to separate himself from his dad's success, it is clear how important the 42-year-old has been to his career. The youngster admits to constantly watching videos of his father of YouTube. “I watch them pretty much all of them all the time,” he gleamed. “They're all world class.”

It would be no surprise to hear the next generation of the family utter the same imortal words about the latest talent off the Ntini production carousel, when the time comes.