Rudolph makes maiden ton as Northerns' set Boland formidable target

It has been coming of age time in South Africa this weekend. After Neil McKenzie announced his arrival onto the international stage with his maiden Test century in Port Elizabeth, Northerns' Jacques Rudolph has been doing the same - but at the next rung down the ladder.

The 19 year-old Rudolph struck his own maiden first-class century as Northerns' moved into a commanding position at the close of day three at Supersport Park.

The immensely talented left-hander crafted a masterful innings of 141 and with the help of his Titans team-mate Martin van Jaarsveld - who shone with an equally impressive 132 - set Boland a seemingly unattainable target of 423 to win this Supersport Series encounter.

Rudolph survived an early scare when Louis Koen put him down at first slip with his score on 82 but that was about the only bit of excitement for the visitors in the morning session as Van Jaarsveld and Rudolph went onto dominate proceedings and raced to their respective centuries.

A victory target of 423 would certainly have seemed in the realms of the unattainable for Northerns' captain Gerald Dros but Boland have certainly set about their task with commendable self-belief.

By stumps, they had reached 95 without loss after just 19 overs. James Henderson unbeaten 25 and Supersport Series debutant Henry David is still there on a belligerent 63 off 62 balls which included ten thumping boundaries, to set up a fascinating final day.