Former South African captain to be guest speaker in Canberra

7 October 2018

Kepler Wessels, one of the highest-profile international cricketers of the 1980s and 90s, will be the guest speaker at the Lord’s Taverners ACT Prime Minister’s XI Match Dinner.

Given Kepler played Test cricket for both Australia and South Africa, it’s fitting that he will be in Canberra for the dinner, which will be held on Tuesday, 30 October, the eve of the Prime Minister’s XI taking on South Africa in a one-day match at Manuka Oval.

Kepler’s made his Test debut for Australia in the second Test of the home Ashes series in the summer of 1982/83, where – opening the batting – he made 162 (and 46) to play a leading role in Australia’s seven-wicket win.

He played a total of 40 Test matches, where he made 2788 runs at an average of 41.00, including six centuries.

One of the most significant aspects of his career was his dual-country representation. His last Test for Australia was in November 1985, after which he announced his retirement. However, following South Africa’s re-admission to international cricket in 1991 after being banned for more than 20 years (because of the apartheid white minority rule political and social system which was in place in South Africa during this period), Kepler became his home country’s first Test captain of the modern era.

Kepler was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack Cricketers of the Year in 1995.

He was much more than just a fine cricketer – at one stage, he was the top-ranked under 16 tennis player in South Africa, while he also had excellent skills in boxing, archery and lawn bowls.

Now 61, Kepler is back living in Australia and we look forward to hearing the story of his diverse sporting career at the upcoming Prime Minister’s XI Match Dinner.

Tickets for the event, which will take place at 7pm for 7.30pm on Tuesday, 30 October at the Commonwealth Club in Yarralumla, are on sale now. To book a seat or a table, please download the booking form by clicking here.

You don’t have to be a member of the Lord’s Taverners to come along to our events. Everyone is welcome to attend.