In South Africa, young people taking up two or more sports is a long-standing tradition. Some turn that into a passion and try to shape their destinies by pursuing whichever sport offers a more stable professional career.
Jaydon Brooker’s journey is one such example. Brooker, just 20, a Jeppe High School student from Johannesburg, has been passionate about both cricket and hockey for years. At the ongoing Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, Brooker has been a hero for South Africa so far – six goals in the tournament, showcasing his drag-flicking ability and leading the scoring charts for his nation.
Yet the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, where Brooker has shone as a top drag-flicker, has served not as a launchpad but as a curtain call for his hockey career. He has decided to leave hockey behind for a professional future in cricket.
After the final whistle of the classification match against Malaysia on Thursday, in the humid heat of Tamil Nadu, Jaydon walked in with his kitbag to catch the team bus. He stripped off his gear, cleaning the grit from his stick for the last time – the fibreglass smelling faintly of sweat and the drying odour of adrenaline – before saying goodbye to hockey.
“It’s all about money, baby,” the 20-year-old told Revsportz in an exclusive chat. The quote perfectly captures the dilemma many South African dual-sport athletes face.
Brooker was clear about the driving force behind his switch to cricket: above all, financial stability.
“Honestly, I see more opportunities in cricket,” said Brooker. “Where we come from, hockey doesn’t support players financially. I want to support myself and my family, and cricket gives me a better chance at that.”
Brooker has both hockey and cricket players in his family, and one of his uncles, who specialised in hockey, motivated him to switch.
“My three uncles were the main athletes in the family,” he said. “One cousin made the SA Under-19 cricket team. Two uncles played for Eastern Province but not the men’s senior team. And one uncle who specialised in hockey told me to go for cricket.”
The SA20 league is an undeniably massive economic success. According to a release published by SA20, the showpiece cricket event contributed R5.3 billion to South Africa’s GDP in its first few seasons. The 20-year-old Brooker has already made his first-class debut for North West as a fast bowler and has led his high school team to multiple victories.
“The SA20 started around three years ago, and it was a big motivation,” said Brooker. “Also, making my first-class debut against the Lions in a four-day game opened my eyes. It made me realise I’m actually not bad at cricket, and that helped me decide.”
Brooker’s agent secured him a trial with the Joburg Super Kings during the off-season, and he was impressed with the facilities there. That experience helped him understand what was best for his future.
“It’s the resources,” said Brooker. “They gave me an analytics team, a dedicated physio, a psychologist, and the best coaches. In hockey, I was taping my own ankle and reading training manuals online. Here I’m being treated like a professional athlete. That’s the difference between earning a living and surviving.”
During his Under-13 days, Brooker played with Kwena Maphaka, who is now a left-arm seamer for the Proteas. “We played together and against each other in school cricket,” said Brooker. “Today, he plays for the Proteas, the Joburg Super Kings, and in the IPL and SA20.”
Guy Elliott, South Africa’s junior hockey team head coach, also believes financial stability is largely why players like Brooker shift to cricket. “If Jaydon chooses hockey, that’s great,” he said. “If he chooses cricket, that’s also fine. But at the end of the day, the boys have to make smart decisions.”
Switching from hockey to cricket is not new for South African athletes. “Over the years, many top hockey players have moved to cricket,” said Elliott. “Jonty Rhodes was a top hockey player. Players like Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, and Laura Wolvaardt also chose cricket over hockey.”
Brooker has his sights set on the future – he wants to represent his country and is ambitious about playing in the IPL one day alongside his favourite, Jasprit Bumrah, possibly for Mumbai Indians.
“I want to be a full-time cricketer for South Africa,” said Brooker. “If I get opportunities abroad – county cricket in England, Australia, anywhere – I’ll take them,” said Brooker.
“I want to work my way into leagues like the SA20 and hopefully the IPL one day alongside Jasprit Bumrah.”
Brooker’s shift from hockey’s blue turf to cricket’s 22 yards is not from a lack of passion, but a practical and mature decision to support his family. And in the coming years, we may see many more Brookers switching to professional cricket. The 20-year-old is handy with the bat too, and who knows, one day we might see him turn his tomahawk skills into switch-hits clearing the rope in international cricket.
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