Author: hnienaber

CAPE TOWN. – For the third year in a row, the South African Schools‘ cricket team will be led by a learner from Wynberg Boys’ High.

Beni Hansen, after leading Western Province to the Khaya Majola Cricket Week title, will captain the national schools’ side for a second successive year.

He’s the first player since 1994 to achieve the feat, following in the footsteps of Mark Rushmere (Woodridge College), who was selected as captain in 1982 and 1983. Lee Barnard (King Edward VII) was handed the leadership role in 1974 and 1975, while Hylton Ackerman (Dale College) skippered the side in 1965 and 1966.

St David’s Marist Inanda has the most representatives in this year’s SA Schools side with two players in Armaan Manack and Jason Rowles.

Of the five SA Schools players from 2023 who were in action in Cape Town, only Hansen made the team again. Richard Seletswane (Central Gauteng Lions), Parth Patel (Easterns), Ntando Soni (Dolphins), and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans) all missed out on selection this time around.

None of that quartet was selected for the SA Colts either. This is a clear message from the convenor of selectors, Patrick Moroney, and his fellow selectors that players have to perform during the tournament to make one of the squads.

Free State’s Dakalo Leketa knows what it feels like to miss out, but his journey had a happy ending. He made the SA Colts‘ team in 2022, then failed to earn selection for either the Colts or SA Schools in 2023. This time around, he made the SA Schools team.

Seletswane, meanwhile, was eyeing a fourth SA Schools cap after being selected for the squad in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Only five players have been selected for the SA Schools side four or more times. Dassie Biggs (Eastern Province, 1963, 1963 England, 1964, 1965), Norman “Smokey” Featherstone (Transvaal, 1966, 1967, 1967 England, 1968), Barry Richards (Natal, 1962, 1963, 1963 England, 1964) and Neil Rosendorff (Free State, 1962, 1963, 1963 England, 1964).

Hylton Ackerman tops the list with six SA Schools caps in 1962, 1963, 1963 England, 1964, 1965, and 1966.

Since unification, no player has been honoured with more than three selections for the SA Schools’ side. Besides Seletswane, four other players have achieved the rare feat since 1994. They are Zwelibanzi Homani (Eastern Province, 1999-01), Tulani Ngxoweni (Border, 94-96), Jacques Rudolph (Northerns, 1997-99) and Wayne Parnell (Eastern Province, 2005-07).

The SA Colts side will be captained by Lethabo Phahlamohlaka  of Cornwall Hill College in Centurion.

The SA Schools and SA Colts sides will face each other in a T20 clash at Newlands on Saturday.

Awards for the Platinum and Gold sections were presented on Friday evening, with Ross Coetzee (Dolphins), Kearsney College‘s prolific captain, winning the Platinum Best Batter Award after scoring 229 runs at an average of 57.3, with a strike rate of 60.3. Bowlers dominated the week, but Coetzee stood tall.

The winner of the Platinum Best Bowler Award was Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), who made the most of playing a number of matches on his home ground at Rondebosch Boys’ High. His best return was 5/25, and he finished the week with 14 wickets at an average of only 9.1 per wicket while conceding just 2.9 runs per over. Daniels was also honoured as the Player of the Tournament.

Affies‘ Divan de Villiers was named the Platinum Best All-Rounder after scoring 162 runs at an average of 54, with a strike rate of 82.2, while also taking eight wickets.

In the Gold section, Selborne College‘s Tré Gilbert was recognised as the Best Batter after tallying 152 runs at 50.7, with a strike rate of 73.8.

Paul Matlala received two awards as the Best Gold Bowler and Best Gold All-Rounder. He captured 13 wickets in only 34.5 overs at a miserly average of 7.8 and he also scored 88 runs at 29.3.

Matala, who is from Elands Park School, made history by becoming the first player from a special needs school to be selected for the South African Schools’ side.

The teams are:

SA Schools: Beni Hansen (Wynberg Boys’ High, Western Province – Captain), Ross Coetzee (Kearsney College, Dolphins), Christian Kind (Grey College, Free State), Jason Rowles (St David’s Marist, Central Gauteng Lions), Armaan Manack (St David’s Marist, Central Gauteng Lions), Divan de Villiers (Affies, Titans), Dakalo Leketa (St Andrew’s School, Free State), Raeeq Daniels (Rondebosch Boys’ High, Western Province), Enathi Kitshini (Thembalethu Hub, Garden Route Badgers), Chad Mason (Maritzburg College, Tuskers), Nqobani Mokoena (Northwood, Dolphins), Paul Matlala (Elands Park School, CSA Invitational XI).

SA Colts: Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Cornwall Hill College, Titans – Captain), Sabelo Mabanga (Actonville Hub, Easterns), Adnaan Lagadien (Bishops, Western Province), Pranav Raichetti (St Stithians College, Central Gauteng Lions), Steve Stolk (Menlopark, Titans), Kashief Joseph (Bishops, Western Province), Charl Prinsloo (Hoërskool Centurion, Titans), Timothy Short (Rondebosch Boys’ High, Western Province), Cayden Wilson (Pearson, Eastern Province), Dayalan Boyce (Westville Boys’ High, CSA Invitational XI), Ryall Julies (Paarl RPC, CSA Invitational XI), Sandiswa Yeni (Kearsney College, Dolphins).

Cricket South Africa’s annual Cubs Week in Stellenbosch will have some extra flavour in 2025.

The United States of America as well as Nambia’s u19 sides will also partake in next year’s tournament.

The teams are: 

Central Gladiators: Corné Botha (Central Gauteng Lions), Tasheen Hanslo (Central Gauteng Lions), Joe MacRobert (Central Gauteng Lions), Armaan Manack (Central Gauteng Lions), Kamogelo Phiri (Central Gauteng Lions), Sipho Potsane (Central Gauteng Lions), Pranav Raichetti (Central Gauteng Lions), Jason Rowles (Central Gauteng Lions), Nkosana Sibiya (Central Gauteng Lions), Ruan Strauss (Central Gauteng Lions), Curtleigh Koetzee (Mpumalanga), Siyabulele Radebe (Central Gauteng Lions), Esosa Aihevba (Central Gauteng Lions).

Coastal Conquerors: Dayalan Boyce (KwaZulu-Natal), Ross Coetzee (KwaZulu-Natal), Ben Hockley (KZN Inland), Buyanda Majola (KwaZulu-Natal), Chad Mason (KZN Inland), Nqobani Mokoena (KwaZulu-Natal), Roxton Payne (KwaZulu-Natal), Shazaad Perumal (KwaZulu-Natal), Semal Pillay (KwaZulu-Natal), Ntando Soni (KwaZulu-Natal), Joshua van Biljon (KwaZulu-Natal), Mfanafuthi Shange (KwaZulu-Natal).

Eastern Warriors: Kian Cambier (Eastern Province), Jadwyn Cona (Eastern Province), Esa Gangat (Eastern Province), Tré Gilbert (Border), Luphelo Mdyesha (Eastern Province), Hlumelo Ntola (Border), Lekhona Gcora (Eastern Province), Zuko Pontshi (Eastern Province), Randy Syce (Eastern Province), Jean Upman (Eastern Province), Jacques van der Merwe (Border), Dawid Vermaak (Eastern Province), Cayden Wilson (Eastern Province).

Northern Champions: Divan de Villiers (Titans), Jaden Govender (Easterns), Sabelo Mabanga (Easterns), Paul Matlala (Easterns), Tshegofatso Nthare (Easterns), Parth Patel (Easterns), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Charl Prinsloo (Titans), Wian Ruthven (Titans), Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans), Sandiswe Yeni (Titans), Ruben Groenewald (Titans), Vihan Pretorius (Titans).

Southern Superstars: Taywin Adams (Boland), Callum Appollis (Boland), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Beni Hansen (Western Province), Paul James (Western Province), Ryall Julies (Boland), Enathi Kitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Divan Linde (Western Province), Unathi Magoloza (Western Province), Sibulele Makeleni (Western Province), Johan Wege (Boland).

Western Legends: Naudé Botha (Free State), FG Botha (Free State), Muhammed Bulbulia (North West), Carl Fryer (North West), Christian Kind (Free State), Dakalo Leketa (Free State), Ruben Maree (Free State), Sicelo Matayi (Free State), Meyer Pretorius (Free State), Darion Rabie (Free State), Nathan Rossouw (North West), Caiden Seleka (North West), Kamohelo Mokoena (Free State).

CAPE TOWN. – The hosts, Western Province, dethroned the Central Gauteng Lions as the champions of the annual Khaya Majola Cricket Week on Friday.

WP defeated the Lions by five wickets in the final of the tournament played at Rondebosch Boys’ High. The champions’ captain, Beni Hansen (50) led his team to victory with a crucial half-century.

Hansen also won the coin toss, which was critical, as during the week no team that batted first managed to bag a victory at Rondebosch Boys’ High.

The Central Gauteng Lions tallied 175 runs before being bowled out, with Morteza Manack (56) and Tiaan Goosen (53) recording half-centuries. WP’s Mbulelo Dube (4/38) was the pick of the bowlers for the soon-to-be newly crowned champions.

Since 2010, Gauteng has been involved in the main match or the final of the Khaya Majola Week nine times, which makes them, beyond question, the most successful province of the era.

The foundation for Western Province’s victory was laid with a 73-run partnership for the third wicket between Hansen and Daniel Bosman (46).

Ross Coetzee (96), of the Dolphins, just missed out on a century as he helped his side to 255/5 against Boland. It was only the second instance of a team going past 250 runs during the week.

That innings made Coetzee the top run-scorer of the tournament with 229 runs. With Nqobani Mokoena picking up the tenth five-wicket haul of the week (5/22), the Dolphins cruised to a big 153-run win.

In the previous three Khaya Majola Weeks in Cape Town, the battle between bat and ball was even, with 19 centuries being scored and 18 five-wicket hauls being captured in the 2002, 2011, and 2018 editions of the provincial competition.

There will be no changes to the two divisions next year. Eastern Province and the Free State both came out on top in their promotion/relegation encounters against the Garden Route Badgers and North West respectively.

Free State’s Naudé Botha (106*) recorded only the second century of the tournament. He faced 150 deliveries and struck 10 boundaries, of which one was a maximum.

Botha shared a 124-run partnership with Ruben Maree (61) for the third wicket as Free State beat North West by 38 runs.

Eastern Province’s Cayden Wilson produced a good all-round performance to help his side to a 22-run victory over the Badgers.

He scored 21 runs with the bat as Kian Cambier (50) and Esa Gangat (32) led the scoring for the side. Wilson, then, picked up four wickets for only 17 runs to keep the Badgers at bay.

The youngsters of the CSA Invitational XI impressed once again as they skittled Easterns for a mere 27 runs. Paul Matlala (4/10), Ryall Julies (3/0), and Dayalan Boyce (3/12) finished the tournament in style.

Matlala completed the week with 13 wickets at an average of 7.77 runs per wicket. Boyce was also in devastating form, picking up 10 wickets at 7.4 runs per victim.

The speedy Julies was also on fire as he removed seven batsmen from the crease while conceding only 56 runs.

Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs)

Central Gauteng Lions 175/10 (Morteza Manack 56, Tiaan Goosen 53, Richard Seletswane 22; Mbulelo Dube 4/38, Timothy Short 2/30, Raeeq Daniels 2/33); Western Province 176/5 (Beni Hansen 50, Daniel Bosman 46, Noah Heath 27*, Kashief Joseph 21; Cole Francis 3/44, Jason Rowles 2/26). Western Province won by five wickets.

Dolphins 255/5 (Ross Coetzee 96, Mfana Shange 62, Max Robertson 26, Nqobani Mokoena 22, Nicandro Kistna 21; Taywin Adams 2/50); Boland 102 (Christiaan Wege 22, Chad Ayford 21; Nqobani Mokoena 5/22, Bayanda Majola 2/30). Dolphins won by 153 runs.

Tuskers 72/10 (Charles Swart 39; Mohammad Borabat 2/4, Marcus Bakker 2/11, Charl Prinsloo 2/15, Divan de Villiers 2/17); Titans 78/3 (Steve Stolk 57*; Rowan Rajah 2/17). Titans won by seven wickets.

Eastern Province 139/10 (Kian Cambier 50, Esa Gangat 32, Cayden Wilson 21; Enathi Kitshini 3/18, Liviwe Bawuli 3/18); Garden Route Badgers 117/10 (Enathi Kitshini 31, Keano Coerecius 24; Cayden Wilson 4/17, Likhona Gcora 2/16, Hamza Khan 2/23). Eastern Province won by 22 runs.

Free State 228/6 (Naudé Botha 106*, Ruben Maree 61, Dale Williams 30; Barend de Klerk 3/38); North West 190/10 (Luan Vermeulen 43, Barend de Klerk 37, Stephan Janse van Rensburg 35, Muhammed Bulbulia 31; Dakalo Leketa 3/37, Cullen Kakora 2/24, Kamohelo Mokoena 2/31). Free State won by 38 runs.

Easterns 27/10 (Jacques Havenga 10; Paul Matlala 4/10, Ryall Julies 3/0, Dayalan Boyce 3/12); CSA Invitational XI 32/2 (Joe MacRobert 22*; Tiaan Kuhn 1/12). CSA Invitational won by eight wickets.

Northern Cape 161/10 (Nathan Baird 31, Danie van der Merwe 25, Extras 23; Ntshuxeko Sebata 3/13, Hanno van Zyl 2/13, Morema Kamogelo 2/25); Limpopo Impalas 162/9 (Hanno van Zyl 36, Lukas van der Merwe 27, Philip Weterman 26, Extras 23; Tebogo Mgobo 4/42, Nathan Baird 2/26, Simon Liversage 2/30). Limpopo Impalas won by one wicket.

Mpumalanga 102/10 (Nathan Duncan 26, Sibonelo Skhosana 21; Chad Clark-Evans 5/46, Canton Hartnick 3/19); Eastern Cape Iinyahti 105/4 (Waeden Plaatjies 37, Tré Gilbert 28; Curtleigh Koetzee 3/19). Eastern Cape Iinyahti won by six wickets.

The Western Province will face the defending champions, the Central Gauteng Lions, in the final of the annual Khaya Majola Cricket Week (for u19 players) in Cape Town on Friday.

Central Gauteng Lions snuck into the semi-finals through the back door after securing their first victory of the tournament on the third day. On Thursday, Pranav Raichetti (106*) scored the first century of the week to help his team secure an eight-wicket win over the Dolphins in their semi-final.

Raichetti faced 112 deliveries, hitting 16 boundaries. He and opening batsman Jason Rowles (75) shared a 143-run partnership for the second wicket.

The Dolphins’ captain, Ross Coetzee (63), has also had a good tournament with the bat so far. Rowles (2/36) and Cole Francis (3/26) boasted the best bowling figures.

WP had little trouble defeating their neighbours by five wickets in their semifinal. Boland was bowled out for just 104 thanks to a five-wicket haul by Raeeq Daniels (5/25).

Christiaan Wege (32) was the only visiting batsman who offered any resistance.

The hosts’ Kashief Joseph (45) and Adnaan Lagadien (24) made the most significant contributions with the bat for their team.

The Tuskers, after being bowled out for just 79 against Eastern Province, might have thought they were destined for a promotion/relegation playoff. However, the team’s spinner, Chad Mason (5/35), led them to a 12-run victory with his second five-wicket haul of the week.

Eastern Province will face the Garden Route Badgers to determine which team will compete in the Platinum division next year. In the other promotion/relegation match, the Free State will fight against North West to retain their place in the Platinum division.

The Titans defeated the Free State by 100 runs in their clash. The team from Pretoria posted 211/5 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to solid contributions from Wian Ruthven (52), Divan de Villiers (48*), and Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (43).

The Free State replied with only 111 runs, with Christian Kind (42) offering the most resistance.

The Garden Route Badgers defeated Cricket South Africa’s invitational team by five wickets. The winning team’s spinner, Enathi Kitshini, first took three wickets for just 20 runs with his bowling before scoring 28 runs with the bat. His teammate Camron Avontuur (76) was the standout performer with the bat.

North West successfully defended a modest total of 109 runs by bowling out Easterns for just 87 runs.

Marneau Dreyer (3/10), Barend de Klerk (2/28), and Tumelo Makume (2/16) inflicted the most damage for the winning team. Eastern’s Sabelo Mabanga (3/16) and Parth Patel (3/19) also produced commendable bowling figures.

Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs):

Boland 104 (Christiaan Wege 32; Raeeq Daniels 5/25, Timothy Short 2/23); Western Province 106/5 (Kashief Jospeh 45, Adnaan Lagadien 24; Taywin Adams 2/25, Callum Appollis 2/47). Western Province won by five wickets.

Dolphins 218/8 (Ross Coetzee 63, Max Robertson 29, Ntando Soni 25; Cole Francis 3/26, Jason Rowles 2/36, Corné Botha 2/59); Central Gauteng Lions 219/2 (Pranav Raichetti 106*, Jason Rowles 75; Armaan Manack 23; Shahzaad Perumal 1/23). Central Gauteng Lions won by eight wickets.

Tuskers 79 (Extras 19; Cayden Wilson 4/15, Jadwyn Cona 3/25); Eastern Province 67 (Cayden Wilson 18; Chad Mason 5/35, Marcel Wellmann 3/8). Tuskers won by 12 runs.

Titans 211/5 (Wian Ruthven 52, Divan de Villiers 48*, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka 43, Steve Stolk 27; Free State 111 (Christian Kind 42; Nayleo Sanna 3/32, Mohammed Borobat 2/11, Sahil Ahmad 2/13). Titans won by 100 runs.

CSA Invitational XI 146 (Vihan Pretorius 31, Zuko Pontshi 24; Enathi Kitshini 3/20, Trent Huisamen 2/15, Stefan May 2/40); Garden Route Badgers 150/5 (Camron Avontuur 76, Enathi Kitshini 28; Adam Cannata 2/32). Garden Route Badgers won by five wickets.

North West 109 (Tumelo Makume 36; Sabelo Mabanga 3/16, Parth Patel 3/19, Tshegofatso Nthara 3/25); Easterns 87 (Sabelo Mabanga 37; Marneau Dreyer 3/10, Barend de Klerk 2/28, Tumelo Makume 2/16). North West won by 22 runs.

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 102 (Tré Gilbert 28; Nicolas Oerlemans 3/28, Morema Kamogelo 2/4, Mahlodi Sekuba 2/31); Limpopo Impalas 103/5 (Enock Marima 41*, Nicolas Oerlemans 29; Lithemba Nomoyi 3/24). Limpopo Impalas won by five wickets.

Northern Cape 163 (Junaid Jacobs 49, Extras 31; Sibonelo Skhosana 3/23, Alonzo Blakenberg 2/22); Mpumalanga 122 (Extras 20; Nathan Baird 4/38, Simon Liversage 2/23). Northern Cape won by 41 runs.

The defending champions of the Khaya Majola Cricket Week (for u19 players), the Central Gauteng Lions, had to wait until the third day of the tournament to taste victory, but a bonus-point win over the Tuskers secured them a spot in the semi-finals.

Gauteng won by six wickets, reaching the victory target in only 32.3 overs, which earned the team that crucial bonus point.

The Tuskers, like Gauteng, ended with five league points, but since Gauteng won the direct contest between the teams, they claimed a spot in the semi-finals. On Thursday, the defending champs will tackle the Dolphins for a place in the final.

Armaan Manack (44), Tiaan Goosen (30*), and Jason Rowles (29) played a significant role with the bat in the Lions’ successful run chase.

Corné Botha, who captured 3/10 in 10 miserly overs, also deserves praise. He led a tidy Gauteng attack, which restricted the Tuskers to 130/8 in their 50 overs.

The hosts, Western Province, are the only unbeaten team remaining in the Platinum Division after they recorded a six-wicket win over Free State at the Bellville Cricket Club.

The Free Staters were dismissed for 138, with Raeeq Daniels (3/19), Kyle van Santen (2/19), and Divan Linde (2/24) preventing their opponents from putting together meaningful partnerships. Dakalo Leketa (38*), who is usually one of the Free State’s key bowlers, led the run-scoring to continue his good form with the bat this week.

Noah Heath (45*) and Adnaan Lagadien (45) impressed with the bat for the winning team as they claimed victory with well over 10 overs to spare.

WP will face their neighbour, Boland, in the other semi-final after Boland handed Eastern Province a six-wicket loss.

That victory also secured the Bolanders a bonus point and pulled them level with the Titans in the standings. However, Boland’s victory over the Titans on day one of the week meant they progressed to the semi-finals at the expense of the Titans.

The Wine Farmers‘ Christiaan Wege (5/24) shone with the ball in their win over EP. Stefan Conradie (66*), whose aggressive 54-ball knock included five fours and four sixes, also played a key role with his unbeaten half-century.

The Titans, meanwhile, achieved a convincing 64-run victory over the Dolphins in Durbanville, but it wasn’t enough to take them through to the semi-finals.

Marcus Bakker (51) and Charl Prinsloo (41) starred for the Titans in their innings of 192. The Titans’ SA u19 opening batsman Steve Stolk, then, shone with the ball, claiming the first three wickets in the Dolphins’ innings, on his way to a four-wicket haul (4/33).

There was also a perfect hat-trick by Paul Matlala (3/21) for the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Invitation Team in their contest against Northern Cape.

He dismissed Malan Lubbe (9) and Monnapule Jansen (0) with the last two deliveries of the tenth over, having both caught behind the stumps by Joe MacRobert. Then, with the first delivery of the 12th over, Matlala rearranged Luqman Gool‘s (0) stumps.

The CSA Invitation Team also remains unbeaten after a one-sided 216-run victory.

Ruben Groenewald (96) came the closest to scoring a century this week, despite batting only seventh in the Invitation Team’s line-up. He is the son of the former Blue Bulls’ scrumhalf, Coenraad Groenewald.

Easterns‘ Cayden Ramage (6/17) wrecked Mpumalanga’s innings with his seam bowling, helping to limit them to a lowly 65 all out.

Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs)

Tuskers 130/8 (Siposethu Ngcobo 29, Kwanele Nqayi 24; Corné Botha 3/10, Cole Francis 2/30); Central Gauteng Lions 131/4 (Armaan Manack 44, Tiaan Goosen 30*, Jason Rowles 29; Chad Mason 2/24). Central Gauteng Lions won by six wickets.

Free State 138 (Dakalo Leketa 38*, Khanyisile Nondwangu 25; Raeeq Daniels 3/19, Kyle van Santen 2/19, Divan Linde 2/24); Western Province 139/4 (Noah Heath 45*, Adnaan Lagadien 45, Kashief Joseph 22; Kamohelo Mokoena 2/12, Darion Rabie 2/27). Western Province won by six wickets.

Eastern Province 115 (Xander Elkington 31, Kian Cambier 29; Christiaan Wege 5/24); Boland 117/4 (Stefan Conradie 66*; Esa Gangat 3/21). Boland won by six wickets.

Titans 192 (Marcus Bakker 51, Charl Prinsloo 41, Wian Ruthven 26; Nqobani Mokoena 3/57, Sandiswa Yeni 2/8); Dolphins 128 (Ross Coetzee 31, Nqobani Mokoena 22; Steve Stolk 4/33, Marcus Bakker 2/14). Titans won by 64 runs.

CSA Invitational XI 290/8 (Ruben Groenewald 96, Matthew Florence 49, Paul Matlala 40, Joe MacRobert 31; Danie van der Merwe 3/59, Malan Lubbe 2/37, Raul Williams 2/61); Northern Cape 74 (Junaid Jacobs 19, Danie van der Merwe 19; Dayalan Boyce 3/10, Paul Matlala 3/21, Vihan Pretorius 2/0, Luke Kleinsmith 2/21). CSA Invitational XI won by 216 runs.

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 95 (Tré Gilbert 46; Onalerona Senokwane 3/17, Barend de Klerk 2/19, Tumelo Makume 2/20); North West 96/5 (Stephan Janse van Rensburg 34, Marneau Dreyer 24*; Lithemba Nomoyi 2/20, Tré Gilbert 2/34). North West won by five wickets.

Mpumalanga 65 (Vaughn van Zyl 16; Cayden Ramage 6/17, Tiaan Kuhn 2/7); Easterns 71/6 (Sabelo Mabanga 23; Sibonelo Skhosana 3/10, Vaughn van Zyl 2/20). Easterns won by four wickets.

Limpopo Impalas 146 (Lukas van der Merwe 57; Enathi Kitshini 4/32, Corné Kennedy 3/19); Garden Route Badgers 147/3 (Keano Coerecius 49, Camron Avontuur 42, Extras 30; Mahlodi Sekuba 2/20). Garden Route Badgers won by seven wickets.

CAPE TOWN – After two days of play at the annual Khaya Majola Cricket Week, only two unbeaten teams are left in the Platinum Division.

They are the hosts, Western Province, and the Dolphins. WP staged a backs-to-the-wall fightback to score a hard-fought 21-run victory over the defending champions, Gauteng, on the Jacques Kallis Oval.

The home team was restricted to just 140 runs, thanks to brilliant bowling by seam bowler Ruan Strauss (6/22).

On a day that undoubtedly belonged to the bowlers, WP’s Divan Linde (5/27) responded well and snared a five-wicket haul with his spin bowling to lead his team to a treasured win.

Gauteng had appeared on course for a comfortable victory, reaching 97/1 in the 31st over, before Paul James (3/12) and Linde caused chaos for the visitors. The defending champs crumbled, losing their last nine wickets for only 22 runs.

With the Lions suffering successive losses, it seems likely that a new Khaya Majola Week champion will be crowned.

The reason the door remains slightly ajar for Gauteng is that the Tuskers defeated Free State by 47 runs in their clash. The KZN side owed plenty to Chad Mason, who dismissed seven of Free State’s batsmen for just 27 runs with his leg spin.

His excellent return was the fifth-best bowling performance in the tournament since 1994. At first, Free State seemed to be on their way to a solid total when Christian Kind (55) and Naudé Botha (59) put on 93 for the opening wicket. In the end, though, they were limited to just 162.

The Dolphins retained their unbeaten status, thanks to a five-wicket win over Boland. It was the batting of Mfana Shange (26*) and Nqobani Mokoena (21*) that carried their team past the victory target. A fifty by Max Robertson (55) had earlier laid the foundation for his side’s successful run chase.

The Titans, beaten on the opening day, got on track on Tuesday with a win, thanks to a solid all-round performance by Charl Prinsloo. He scored an unbeaten 33 runs with the bat and then picked up 2/17 to lead his side’s bowling effort.

North West‘s left-arm spinner Nathan Rossouw (5/18) also performed well, helping his team skittle Northern Cape for just 70 runs.

The Cricket South Africa Invitation Team remains unbeaten in the Gold Division. The Invitation side’s Ombesa Matsha (66) and Zuko Pontshi (57*) shared a partnership of 101 runs for the second wicket as they comfortably chased down 190 to score a seven-wicket victory over the Eastern Cape Iinyathi.

Easterns also bagged a second win on the trot, cruising to a seven-wicket victory over Limpopo in another Gold Division game. The winning team’s Aldré Huysers (84) and Jacques Havenga (50*) were at the forefront of their success, with a 100-run partnership for the third wicket.

Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs)

Western Province 140/10 (Adnaan Lagadien 33, Paul James 26, Kashief Joseph 25, Divan Linde 24; Ruan Strauss 6/22, Sipho Potsane 2/16); Central Gauteng Lions 119/10 (Armaan Manack 44, Pranav Raichetti 37; Divan Linde 5/27, Paul James 3/12). Western Province won by 21 runs.

Tuskers 209/9 (Daniel Nadasan 38, Cian Fortmann 34, Ben Hockley 28, Siposethu Ngcobo 23, Extras 21; Darion Rabie 2/25, Meyer Pretorius 2/41, Hendru de Wet 2/47); Free State 162/10 (Naudé Botha 59, Christian Kind 55, Extras 23; Chad Mason 7/27). Tuskers won by 47 runs.

Boland 130/10 (Johan Wege 49, Christiaan Wege 24, Extras 20; Ntando Soni 3/17, Sandiswa Yeni 2/27); Dolphins 131/5 (Max Robertson 55, Mfana Shange 26*, Nqobani Mokoena 21*; Taywin Adams 2/36). Dolphins won by five wickets.

Titans 235/9 (Steve Stolk 41, Divan de Villiers 38, Charl Prinsloo 33*, Mohammad Rasool 30, Tshepang Laka 25, Extras 24, Jorich van Schalkwyk 23; Dawid Vermaak 2/24, Kian Cambier 2/26, Cayden Wilson 2/42); Eastern Province 201/10 (Xander Elkington 54, Hamza Khan 36, Kian Cambier 29, Indiphile Tshisa 28; Charl Prinsloo 2/17, Mohammad Rasool 2/20, Divan de Villiers 2/46). Titans won by 34 runs.

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 189/10 (Chulumanco Macozoma 59, Tré Gilbert 50, Jacques van der Merwe 23; Vihan Pretorius 3/19, Paul Matlala 3/32, Ryall Julies 2/20); CSA Invitational XI 190/3 (Ombesa Matsha 66, Zuko Pontshi 57*, Extras 26; Aaron Senekal 1/17). CSA Invitational XI won by seven wickets.

Northern Cape 70/10 (Benjamin Potgieter 33; Nathan Rossouw 5/18, Barend de Klerk 3/21); North West 73/5 (Caiden Seleka 25; Danie van der Merwe 3/19). North West won by five wickets.

Mpumalanga 73/10 (John Duncan 27; Corné Kennedy 3/17, Enathi Kitshini 2/9, Shirwin Plaatjies 2/15, Liviwe Bawuli 2/15); Garden Route Badgers 74/2 (Enathi Kitshini 29*; Curtleigh Koetzee 1/14). Garden Route Badgers won by eight wickets.

Limpopo Impalas 193/10 (Victor Sehata 33, Extras 32, Hanno van Zyl 28, Coetzee du Preez 26*, Nicolas Oerlemans 20; Sabelo Mabanga 4/28, Ahmed Imran 2/36, Parth Patel 2/37); Easterns 196/3 (Aldré Huysers 84, Jacques Havenga 50*, Sabelo Mabanga 40; Timothy Baker 2/23). Easterns won by seven wickets.

CAPE TOWN. – The defending champions of the Khaya Majola Week (for u19 players), the Central Gauteng Lions, saw their chances of retaining their title suffer a major setback on Monday, the opening day of the tournament.

The Free State defeated them by 22 runs on Bishops‘ Frank Reid Oval.

The winning side put up 195 runs, thanks mainly to their opening batsman Christian Kind (90), who was well supported by Dakalo Leketa (48). Together, the pair added a vital 80 runs for the fifth wicket.

Gauteng mustered 173 all out in response. Corné Botha (46), Armaan Manack (37), and Richard Seletswane (25) were the only batsmen to offer strong resistance.

For the Free State, Darion Rabie (3/24), Otto Krause (2/14), and Meyer Pretorius (2/17) caused most of the damage.

Another early favorite to win the title also suffered a setback on the opening day when The Titans went down to Boland by 24 runs.

Batting first, Boland tallied 219 all out, with JJ van der Sandt (59), Chad Ayford (45), and Jevohndré Jacobs (44) making the biggest contributions. Charl Prinsloo excelled with the ball, dismissing four Boland batsmen for only 24 runs.

Even though Divan de Villiers (70) and Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (33) shared a partnership of 100 runs for the Titans’ fifth wicket, it wasn’t enough to get their team over the line as they were dismissed for 195.

Leolan Davids (4/30) undermined the Titans’ batting effort with his four-wicket haul.

The hosts, Western Province, began their week on a winning note by defeating the Tuskers by six wickets. Last year’s South African Schools’ captain, Beni Hansen (58), led the way with the bat.

He and Siyabonga Venge (57) crafted a partnership of 104 runs for the third wicket.

The Dolphins‘ Bandile Mbatha (5/16) claimed the only five-wicket haul of the first day in his team’s tight two-wicket victory over Eastern Province.

EP was restricted to just 107 all out, but they nearly managed to pull off an upset. However, the Dolphins’ captain, Ross Coetzee (39*), kept his cool to guide his team to a win.

Easterns scraped a nail-biting one-run victory over the Garden Route Badgers. Easterns’ SA Schools’ player Parth Patel was one of the game’s standout performers with a versatile display that included 24 runs with the bat and a bowling return of 2/16.

The Eastern Cape Iinyathi has the most experienced side at the tournament and it showed as they comfortably defeated Northern Cape by nine wickets. Ryan Denston (4/15) and Canton Hartnick (3/18) made life difficult for the losing team’s batsmen, who were restricted to 120 all out.

Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs)

Tuskers 196/8 (Cian Fortmann 50, Marcell Wellmann 30, Sphamandla Dzanibe 27*; Daniel Nadasan 26, Charles Swart 22; Raeeq Daniels 3/38, Timothy Short 2/37, Mbulelo Dube 2/48); Western Province 197/4 (Benni Hansen 58, Siyabonga Venge 57, Daniel Bosman 24*, Kashief Joseph 22). Western Province won by six wickets.

Free State 195/10 (Christian Kind 90, Dakalo Leketa 48; Jason Rowles 3/40, Ruan Strauss 2/22, Cole Francis 2/41); Central Gauteng Lions 173/10 (Corné Botha 46, Armaan Manack 37, Richard Seletswane 25, Kamogelo Phiri 22; Darion Rabie 3/24, Otto Krause 2/14, Meyer Pretorius 2/17, Hendru de Wet 2/29). Free State won by 22 runs.

Boland 219/10 (JJ van der Sandt 59, Chad Ayford 45, Jevohndré Jacobs 44, Stefan Conradie 23; Charl Prinsloo 4/24, Divan de Villiers 3/36); Titans 195/10 (Divan de Villiers 70, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka 33, Marcus Bakker 22, Tshepang Laka 29; Leolan Davids 4/30, Sibulele Makeleni 2/48). Boland won by 24 runs.

Eastern Province 107/10 (Xander Elkington 50; Bandile Mbatha 5/16, Sandiswa Yeni 3/22); Dolphins 108/8 (Ross Coetzee 39*, Shahzaad Perumal 20; Esa Gangat 3/18, Cayden Wilson 3/25). Dolphins won by two wickets.

Northern Cape 120/10 (Extras 39; Ryan Denston 4/15, Canton Hartnick 3/18, Hlumelo Ntola 2/54); Eastern Cape Inyathi 121/1 (Adam Rogers 43*, Jacques van der Merwe 31*, Bevanoe Mayhtam 28; Raul Williams 1/15). Eastern Cape Iinyathi won by nine wickets.

Mpumalanga 231/7 (Extras 60, Nathan Duncan 46, Jayden Meyer 39, Bruce Nel 24, John Duncan 22; Coetzee du Preez 2/28); Limpopo Impalas 227/9 (Lukas van der Merwe 62, Extras 51, Maaz Mabummad 44*, Hanno van Zyl 38; Vaughn van Zyl 2/30, Sibonelo Skhosana 2/37, Curtleigh Koetzee 2/44). Mpumalanga won by six runs.

Easterns 166/9 (Jaden Govender 44, Sabelo Mabanga 38, Xavier Coetzee 25, Parth Patel 24; Liviwe Bawuli 3/22, Jesse Lewis 3/24, Trent Huisamen 3/36); Garden Route Badgers 165/10 (Extras 38, Kurt Botha 28, Keano Coerecius 27, Joof Enslin 23, Trent Huisamen 23; Parth Patel 2/16, Wian Pieters 2/29). Easterns won by one wicket.

CSA Invitational XI 202/8 (Paul Matlala 40, Vihan Pretorius 39*, Extras 30, Ruben Groenewald 25, Nkosana Sibiya 22; Nathan Rossouw 2/25, Brendin Mathyse 2/32, Marneau Dreyer 2/49); North West 69/8 (Caiden Seleka 28; Dayalan Boyce 3/16, Ryall Julies 2/7, Paul Matlala /12). CSA Invitational XI won by 132 runs.

KAAPSTAD. – Die nasionale o.19-speler Richard Seletswane staan op die brink van geskiedenis in vanjaar se Khaya Majola o.19-krieketweek van Maandag hier.

Seletswane spog al met drie SA Skole-pette in sy kas. Hy kan vanjaar die eerste speler sedert 1968 word om vier keer die nasionale skolespan te haal. Seletswane, ‘n leerder van St Stithians in Johannesburg, het reeds vanjaar die opkomende Suid-Afrikaanse span op senior vlak verteenwoordig.

Slegs vyf anders spelers het al sedert die eerste toernooi in 1940 daarin geslaag om vier of meer kere die SA Skole-span te verteenwoordig. Vier spelers – Dassie Biggs (OP, 1963, 1963 Engeland, 1964, 1965), Smokey Featherstone (Transvaal, 1966, 1967, 1967 Engeland, 1968), Barry Richards (Natal, 1962, 1963, 1963 Engeland, 1964) en Neil Rosendorff (Vrystaat, 1962, 1963, 1963 Engeland, 1964).

Hylton Ackerman is bo-aan die lys na hy die SA Skole-span ses keer verteenwoordig het. Hy was in 1962, 1963, 1963 na Engeland, 1964, 1965 en 1966 vir die nasionale skolespan in aksie.

Sedert eenwording kon geen speler nog daarin slaag om vier keer die SA Skole-span te haal nie. Benewens Seletswane, spog nog net vier ander spelers met drie SA Skole-pette in hul kas.

Hulle is Zwelibanzi Homani (Oos-Provinsie, 1999-01), Tulani Ngxoweni (Grens, 1994-96), Jacques Rudolph (Noord-Transvaal, 1997-99) en Wayne Parnell (Oos-Provinsie, 2005-07).

Drie van Seletswane se spanmaats van 2023 – Benni Hansen (Wes-Provinsie), Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titane) en Parth Patel (Oos) – is ook terug om te kyk of hulle ‘n tweede kleure kan kry.

Die jaarlikse Khaya Majola-week sal vir die eerste keer sedert 2018 terugkeer na Kaapstad. Dit sal die vierde keer sedert 1994 wees dat die Moederstad hierdie gesogte krieketweek aanbied.

Kaapstad het ook die toernooi in 2002 en 2011 aangebied.

Die Khaya Majola-week bly ‘n belangrike springplank vir krieketspelers in Suid-Afrika. In 2018 het die week Proteas-spelers soos Tristan Stubbs (Oos-Provinsie), Gerald Coetzee (Vrystaat) en Marco Jansen (Noordwes) opgelewer.

Hansen was verlede jaar die kaptein van die nasionale skole-span en kan die eerste speler sedert eenwording word om die span twee keer te lei. Patel het verlede jaar die beste boulvertoning in die toernooi se geskiedenis gelewer toe hy sewe paaltjies vir slegs 15 lopies teen Noord-Kaap geneem het.

Die vorige rekord was in besit van Du Pavillon, wat sewe paaltjies vir net 18 lopies teen Noordwes in 2012 geneem het.

Vier lede van die Suid-Afrikaanse o.19-span, wat vroeër vanjaar die semi-finale van die ICC o.19 Wêreldbeker bereik het, sal ook in Kaapstad in aksie wees. Hulle is Seletswane, Sipho Potsane (Gauteng), Nqobani Mokoena (KwaZulu-Natal) en Steve Stolk (Titane).

Hansen, Esa Gangat (Oos-Provinsie) en Raeeq Daniels (Wes-Provinsie) het ook al op o.19-vlak gespeel. Drie sleutelspelers van die nasionale o.19-span, Kwena Maphaka (Sentraal-Gauteng), Lhuand-ré Pretorius (Titane) en Riley Norton (Boland), was kwalifiseerbaar vir vanjaar se toernooi, maar was nie beskikbaar vir keuring nie.

Maphaka sal deel wees van die senior Protea-span vir die belangrike toetsreeks teen Pakistan, terwyl Pretorius nie deur die Titane se senior span vrygestel is nie. Norton, wat beide die SA Skole-rugby- en krieketspanne in 2023 gemaak het, het besluit om op rugby as loopbaan te fokus.

Die bepalings van die eerste dag:

Gauteng t. Vrystaat (Bishops); Westelike Provinsie t. Tuskers (Rondebosch Boys’ High); Dolphins t. Oostelike Provinsie (Wynberg Boys’ High); Titans t. Boland (SACS); Noordwes t. Uitnodigingspan (UCT); Oos-Kaap Inyathi t. Noord-Kaap (Curro Durbanville); Mpumalanga t. Limpopo (Pinelands); Oostelikes t. Garden Route Badgers (Hoërskool Durbanville).

The annual Khaya Majola Week will return to Cape Town for the first time since 2018. It will be the fourth time since 1994 that the Mother City has hosted this prestigious cricket week.

Cape Town also hosted the tournament back in 2002 and 2011.

The Khaya Majola Week is still a major stepping stone for cricketers in South Africa. In 2018 the week produced current Proteas like Tristan Stubbs (Eastern Province), Gerald Coetzee (Free State) and Marco Jansen (North West).

This year Richard Seletswane of the Central Gauteng Lions will be looking to join a special club of players. Seletswane has collected three South African Schools’ caps thus far. He made the side in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Only five other players have managed to be selected for the SA Schools side four or more times. Dassie Biggs (Eastern Province, 1963, 1963 Engeland, 1964, 1965), Smokey Featherstone (Transvaal, 1966, 1967, 1967 Engeland, 1968), Barry Richards (Natal, 1962, 1963, 1963 Engeland, 1964) and Neil Rosendorff (Free State, 1962, 1963, 1963 Engeland, 1964).

Hylton Ackerman tops the list with six SA Schools caps in 1962, 1963, 1963 England, 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Since unification, no player has managed to have the honour of representing the SA Schools’ side more than three times. Besides Seletswane four other players boast three SA Schools’ caps since 1994.

They are Zwelibanzi Homani (Eastern Province, 1999-01), Tulani Ngxoweni (Border, 94-96), Jacques Rudolph (Northerns, 1997-99) and Wayne Parnell (Eastern Province, 2005-07).

Three of Seletswane’s teammates of 2023 – Benni Hansen (Western Province), Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans) and Parth Patel (Easterns) are also back to see if they could get a second cap.

Hansen captained the national schools’ side last year and could become the first player since unification to lead the side twice. Patel produced the best-ever bowling performance during last year’s tournament in Makhanda when he grabbed seven wickets for a mere 15 runs against Northern Cape.

The previous record belonged to Du Pavillon who bagged seven wickets for only 18 runs against North West in 2012.

Four members of the South African u19-side which reached the semi-final of the u19 ICC World Cup earlier this year will also be in action in Cape Town. They are Seletswane, Sipho Potsane (Gauteng), Nqobani Mokoena (KwaZulu-Natal) and Steve Stolk (Titans).

Hansen, Esa Gangat (Eastern Province) and Raeeq Daniels (Western Province) have also been capped at u19 level. Three kingpins of the national u19-side Kwena Maphaka (Central Gauteng), Lhuand-ré Pretorius (Titans) and Riley Norton (Boland) were eligible to play at this year’s tournament but were not available for selection.

Maphaka will be part of the senior Protea squad for the vital test series against Pakistan, while Pretorius was not released by the Titans senior side. Norton who made both the SA Schools rugby and cricket sides in 2023 has decided on rugby as his career of choice.

In total there is also seven Colt-players from 2023 which will be looking to upgrade their caps to SA Schools’ ones. They are Muhammed Bulbulia (North West), Sabelo Mabanga (Easterns), Potsane, Dakalo Leketa (Free State), Simon Liversage (Northern Cape), Enathi Kitshini (Garden Route Badgers) and Daniels.

In the three previous weeks in Cape Town, it was an equal contest between bat and ball. In total 19 centuries were scored while 18 five-wicket hauls were picked up during the three tournaments of 2002, 2011 and 2018.

These three specific weeks have however produced some fine talent towards the Proteas’ fast bowling attack over the years. In 2018 it was Jansen and Coetzee, while 2011 produced Anrich Nortjé (Eastern Province), Lizaad Williams (Boland) and Daryn du Pavillon (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).

In 2002 the Khaya Majola Week produced future Protea pacemen in Vernon Philander (Western Province), Morné Morkel (Gauteng) and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Eastern Province B).

Les Blancs Taureaux!

Ja julle lees reg, dié Wit Bulle van die Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp sal voortaan ook so ietwat van ‘n pienk skynsel hê.

Monnas het ‘n vennootskap met die Franse klubspan Stade Français gesluit. Die klub vanuit Parys bekend as die Pienk Soldate vir hul kenmerkende pienk truie.

Die vennootskap beloof om aan Monnas se rugbyprogram en sy spelers meer geleenthede te skep. Die skool van Krugersdorp is nie die eerste skool van Suid-Afrika wat hande met ‘n Franse-klubspan opgeneem het nie.

Grey-kollege van Bloemfontein het in 2018 ‘n samewerkingsooreenkoms met Montpellier aangegaan. Destyds het heelwat oud-Greys vir Montpellier uigedraf. Dié ooreenkoms het intussen ‘n stille dood gesterf.

Die Wit Bulle se nuut aangestelde hoofafrigter, Jannie du Plessis, was een van die oud-Greys wat vir Montpellier in aksie was. Ander is Jan Serfontein, Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Henry Immelman en Bismarck du Plessis.

Du Plessis sal die Wit Bulle in 2025 reeds so paar keer op die Ras van Rooyen in Frans kan aanhits en só ook sommer gereed kry indien hulle loopbane in Frankryk oorweeg.

Twee voormalige Springbok-afrigters Nick Mallet (2002-2004) en Heynecke Meyer (2018-2020) het ook al die Franse span afgerig.

Monnas het boonop reeds een Frans toetspeler in die slot Paul Willemse opgelewer. Willemse speel tans ook vir Montpellier. Nog ‘n Wit Bul-slot Stephan le Roux het in reeds in graad 11 in 2018 besluit om sy loopbaan by nog ‘n Franse klub Racing 92 voort te sit.

Die samewerking tussen Monnas en Stade Français sal onder andere die uitruiling van kennis tussen afrigters en spelers insluit. Monnas sal eksklusiewe toegang tot Stade Français se opleidingsomgewing, akademie en proffesionele spanne hê..

Stade Français sal ook klinieke by Monnas aanbied met die eerste junior kliniek wat reeds op 17 Januarie volgende jaar aangebied sal word. Monnas se spelers sal ook die geleentheid kry om Parys te besoek vir opleiding en evaluasies.

Die Wit Bulle se uitstaande spelers sal ook voortaan voorkeur geniet wanneer spelers vir Stade Français se akademies asook ander spanne gewerf word.

Daar is ook ‘n uitruilprogram in plek wat dit moontlik sal maak vir ‘n paar Franse o.16 en o.18-spelers om volgende jaar vir Monnas in aksie te wees.

Die skool van Krugersdorp se o.14-rugbyspan sal ook die geleentheid gegun word om aan Stade Français se jaarlikse Gilardi-toernooi in Parys deel te neem.

Hierdie sal ongetwyfeld ‘n gevoelige slag vir SA Rugby wees, veral indien meer juniors van dié skool besluit om hul loopbane direk na skool oorsee voort te sit. Die Wit Bulle het sedert die ontstaan van die o.20 Wêreldkampioenskap die vierde meeste spelers tot die Junior Springbokspan bygedra.

Daar het al 22 Wit Bulle vir die Junior Springbokke uitgedraf. Grey-kollege (36), die Hoër Jongenskool Paarl (29) en Paarl Gimnasium (28) is die enigste skole wat al meer skole tot die program bygedra het.

Buiten die aanstelling van Du Plessis as afrigter by die eerstespan, het Monnas ook ‘n oud-leerling Reinhard Gerber as direkteur van rugby vanuit Duitsland terug na Krugersdorp gelok. Gerber het in sy spelersloopbaan vir Grens uitgedraf.

Hy het as afrigter ook al spore by Stirling in Oos-Londen, Glenwood in Durban asook Ben Vorster in Tzaneen agtergelaat.