Frans Johannes Cornelius Cronje is a South African former cricketer who played for Border, Griqualand West and Orange Free State during the 1980s and 1990s. He later became a film producer, director and writer, specialising in films with a Christian theme. He produced the 2008 film Hansie, based on the life of his brother, Hansie Cronje, the former South Africa national cricket team captain.

Frans Cronje
Born
Frans Johannes Cornelius Cronje

(1967-05-15) 15 May 1967 (age 57)
Bloemfontein, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
EducationGrey College
Occupation(s)Cricketer, film maker
Years active1986–present
SpouseRene
Parents
RelativesHansie Cronje (brother)
Cricket information
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1986–1992Orange Free State
1992–1993Griqualand West
1993–1996Border
FC debut21 November 1986 Orange Free State v Australian XI
Last FC29 December 1996 Border v Transvaal
LA debut26 October 1988 Orange Free State v Eastern Province
Last LA20 December 1996 Border v Free State
Career statistics
Competition First-class List A
Matches 56 48
Runs scored 2503 925
Batting average 29.79 29.83
100s/50s 4/9 0/7
Top score 152* 93*
Balls bowled 4264 670
Wickets 67 20
Bowling average 31.82 26.70
5 wickets in innings 2 0
10 wickets in match 0 0
Best bowling 5/22 3/28
Catches/stumpings 28/– 14/–
Source: CricketArchive (subscription required), 6 September 2019
Websitewww.franscronje.tv

Early life

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Cronje was born in 1967 in Bloemfontein to Ewie and San-Marie (née Susanna Maria Strydom[1]) Cronje. The Cronje family descended from Huguenot immigrants from Normandy in the late 1600s.[2] His father had represented Orange Free State from 1961 to 1971 and later served as president of the Orange Free State Cricket Union. His younger brother, Hansie became an international cricketer, captaining South Africa between 1993 and 2000.[3][4][5][6][7]

In 1985, Cronje represented South Africa at schoolboys level in both rugby union and cricket.[8]

Cricket career

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Cronje played in domestic cricket in South Africa between 1986 and 1996.[9]

His first-class debut came in November 1986 against the touring Australian team as part of the 1986–87 rebel tour of South Africa.[10]

Filmography

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Film Year Credited as Notes Ref.
Director Producer Writer
Faith like Potatoes 2006 No Yes No
God's Farmer No Yes No
Hansie: A True Story 2008 No Yes Yes [11]
Baroudeur 2012 Yes Yes Yes Also actor. Known as Break Away in overseas release. [12]
Born to Win 2014 Yes Yes Yes Also actor [13]
The Roar 2018 Yes Yes Yes Also actor [14]

References

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  1. ^ Vice, Telford (5 March 2006). "Book of the month: The Hansie Cronje Story". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  2. ^ Roebuck, Peter (3 March 2002). "The sons of the father". The Sunday Age.
  3. ^ "Ewie Cronje". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Hansie Cronje". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Hansie's mom makes sad wish". IOL News. 5 June 2002. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  6. ^ Khan, Iqbal (11 September 2002). "Cronje the Christian turns up at SA nets". IOL News. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  7. ^ Brown, Alex (18 March 2006). "Biopic on Cronje will divide the sport again". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  8. ^ Austin, Warwick (13 January 2017). "Rising star De Swardt chooses cricket". SuperSport. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  9. ^ "Frans Cronje". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  10. ^ "Orange Free State v Australian XI in 1986/97". CricketArchive. 21 November 1986. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  11. ^ Evans, Ian (29 September 2007). "Film-making brother seeks redemption for South African cricket hero". The Independent. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Hansie's brother wraps recession movie". Channel24. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  13. ^ Law, Jeannie (10 January 2016). "'Born to Win' Movie Highlights a Teacher's Quest to Find God". The Christian Post. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  14. ^ Dercksen, Daniel (28 February 2018). "Filmmaker Frans Cronje talks about The Roar, An Inspirational New South African Film". The Writing Studio. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
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Frans Cronjé at IMDb