The 2016 National Club Championships turned out to be the end of an era and the dawn of a new one for the Steinhoff Maties Cricket team.

Not only did Maties have to say goodbye to legends Dewald Botha and Emile Kriek, but the team also saw glimpses of what the future might hold with the performances of first-year bowlers Kyle Simmonds and Brandon Glover.

"The Club Champs proved to be a great experience for the players and really motivated them to raise their intensity levels and play cricket of a high standard. Winning three out of five matches against quality opposition was a satisfactory result," said coach Andrew Wylie.

"Our objective of going one step further than last year's final was not to be. Losing to Pukke in the third match proved crucial and ultimately cost us a chance at playing in the final."

Pukke, with 10 first-class cricketers, beat Maties by four wickets in a tight match and eventually went on to be crowned champions after comfortably beating Tuks in the final.

But it was the performances of the next generation that gave Wylie reason to smile.

"The younger players – including four first-year students – performed brilliantly and will develop quickly after such a tough tournament. Batting conditions proved very difficult and this took some adapting from the slow low Boland wickets we are accustomed to."

With regards to Botha and Kriek it is obvious that even though they played their last matches for Maties, their legacy will remain.

"Dewald has been the key to our success the past few years. He is extremely competitive and has an infectious confidence that the players respond to brilliantly. He is a gifted player and has the ability to win matches for his side from difficult positions. His all-round ability and tactical awareness will be missed.

"Emile is an incredibly talented player who has a natural feel for the game. He leads from the front with an uncompromising attitude in tight situations. He has been a stalwart for many years and a player the youngsters really look up to and respect. I have yet to see anyone at tertiary level with his ability in the field," Wylie added.