Author: lpita

While Yonga Tenjwa and Yamkela Mnqabashe‘s finishing power could tilt the balance in Nomandi Junior Secondary School‘s favour, Yolanda Mdumba‘s all-round influence may well define the Port St John’s outfit’s charge at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown.

A destructive presence at the crease, Mdumba thrives on imposing herself from the first delivery she faces.

In a format built on fearless stroke play, she embraces the smash-and-bash nature of T20 cricket, backing her power to clear the ropes and dismantle bowling plans in quick time.

“I’ve been working closely with coach Vuyo [Gabela] and have also been spending a lot of time in the nets. Hopefully, all goes well at the national finals, and I will be able to score some runs for my school,” she said.

In a squad stacked with power hitters, Mdumba remains the tone-setter. Whether she walks in early or anchors the assault alongside opening partner Unako Nompandana, the mandate is to lay a foundation strong enough to carry Nomandi all the way.

“We are all determined and willing to fight. We want to go all the way to the final. We didn’t come this far just to make up the numbers.”

But her value stretches beyond brute force. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives Nomandi balance and flexibility, which are crucial ingredients in tournament cricket where adaptability often separates contenders from champions.

“If we stick to the game plan as a team, we will do well. We also have to back ourselves up.

“We showed what we are capable of when we won the Eastern Cape phase of the tournament. We won’t change anything now that we are here. I will also keep doing what has worked for me throughout,” Mdumba said.

It will be Nomandi’s second attempt at lifting the national crown, and Mdumba is determined to ensure that opportunity does not slip through their grasp again.

“We definitely learnt a lot from our run in Volume One of the Switch Schools SA20. That experience was valuable because we now know what to expect and how we should execute our plan,” she said.

Personal ambition will also fuel her campaign. With South Africa u19 coach Dinesha Devnarain likely to be monitoring proceedings closely, the tournament presents a stage to make a statement at the highest junior level.

“It’s a dream of mine to one day represent my country. This is the essence of this tournament. It opens doors. It gives us all an opportunity to showcase our talent on a national stage.”

Inspired by Proteas‘ pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, Queens High School all-rounder Mankwana Moriri is ready to light up the Switch Schools SA20 Final Showdown in Pretoria this week.

At just 16, Moriri has already built a reputation as a game-changer. She’s the kind of cricketer who can flip a match on its head with either bat or ball.

In Queens’ bid to become the best schoolgirl T20 side in the country, she has become a vital cog in coach Jabulani Manatsa‘s ambitious team, driving their charge to the national finals with fearless stroke play and clinical spells.

Moriri will use last year’s heartbreak – Queens lost to Steyn City School in the Central Gauteng Lions (CGL) final – as the motivation to anchor her team to the title.

“I am very happy to see my team in the Phase Three finals because last year I watched the final between Queens and Steyn City, and unfortunately Queens lost by two runs, which was quite disheartening for me because I would have liked to see them win, but we got a chance this year. We will use it wisely,” she said.

Recently back from a shoulder injury, Moriri is expected to limit her time with the ball as she continues her recovery. Thus, she is aiming to make a telling impact with her batting.

“I have just recovered from a shoulder injury, so there will be less bowling for me. I’m preparing by visualizing different match situations and reminding myself to stay present. I also trust the work I’ve put in during practice,” she said.

Originally from Mpumalanga, Moriri captured the spotlight last year while representing Sandton Cricket Club in a Lions CGL Women’s President League match. She blazed an astonishing 203 off just 70 deliveries – a breathtaking knock decorated with 34 boundaries and seven sixes – and steered Sandton to a mammoth 339/1.

She was far from done, though. Taking the ball, she tore through the opposition, capturing 3/7 in four overs as Dalikay Cricket Club was bundled out for 50. The result? A crushing 289-run victory and the arrival of a serious talent.

Her exploits earned her a deserved call-up to the SA u19 Women‘s national training camp squad in April, which confirmed her status as one of South Africa’s brightest young prospects.

This season, Moriri has again delivered when it mattered most, which included playing a starring role for Queens when they toppled the defending champions, Steyn City, to clinch the CGL Phase One title.

In the Phase Two finals, she produced an electric cameo – 33 not out off just 14 balls – in Queens’ win over Hoerskool Middelburg in the Gauteng/Mpumalanga girls’ final. It was further confirmation of her ability to thrive in high-pressure moments.

Now, with the Schools SA20 finals looming, all eyes will be on Mankwana Moriri. If her track record is anything to go by, Pretoria could be the stage and setting for another explosive chapter in the rise of Queens High’s dynamic all-rounder.

“Being debutants doesn’t really make us feel like we don’t belong. Instead, it motivates us to prove who we are and what we are there for.

“We will try our best to bring the trophy back. We would really appreciate it if we could get all the support from our school,” Moriri said.

Nomandi Junior Secondary School will bank on their ability to defend any total they post when they take on Saints Christian School in their opening match of the Switch Schools SA20 Final Showdown at the University of Pretoria on 5 March.

The Eastern Cape outfit returns to the national finals for a second consecutive year. If their nerve-shredding four-run victory over Woodridge College to clinch the provincial leg is anything to go by, coach Vuyo Gabela‘s charges will arrive in Pretoria as genuine contenders.

Armed with a crop of exciting young talent – including Yolanda Mdumba, Yonga Tenjwa, and Olwethu Njani, who were instrumental in their commanding 105-run triumph over Stirling High in the Eastern Cape final – Nomandi has cemented its status as a rising force in girls’ cricket.

“Our biggest strength is that we can defend any score we put on the board by making sure we bowl good lines and length consistently and field well,” said Gabela.

Nomandi’s preparation has been deliberate and intense. They’ve played several friendly matches and invested heavily in training sessions to sharpen their skills ahead of the tournament.

“I’ve been working closely with the players. They have been spending a lot of time in the nets. We’ve been playing a lot of games, and we’ve had a couple of middle sessions for game awareness,” the coach said.

After a disappointing debut campaign last season – despite being the only team to beat the eventual national champion, Steyn City School, in the inaugural edition – Nomandi is driven by unfinished business.

“We are determined to go all the way this year because we’ve learned and improved on our mistakes from last year,” Gabela stated.

The formula he preaches is simple: discipline, belief, and faith.

“We rely on sticking to the game plan we’ve set before the match and making sure we stick to the basics. Most importantly, we pray a lot.”

A strong showing at The Final Showdown would resonate far beyond the boundary ropes of the University of Pretoria‘s cricket fields. For Nomandi, it’s about pride, legacy, and inspiring their community in Port St Johns.

“It would mean a lot because we hope this journey continues for many years. We want to make the people back home proud,” Gabela concluded.

After their 2025 Switch Schools SA20 run ended in the final of the Central Gauteng Lions (CGL) phase with a losing effort against the eventual national champions, Steyn City School, Queens High School has come back stronger this season.

Boasting the talents of all-rounder Mankwane Moriri, captain Karabo Matlaila, and Boitumelo Chuene at the top of the order, as well as fearsome bowlers Tshepi Choma, Thanya Nkuna, and Hlekani Chisane, the Johannesburg side heads into The Final Showdown in Pretoria as one of the teams to watch.

“Preparations have been going well. It’s nice to have all the girls healthy and fit,” coach Jabulane Manatsa said.

“The intensity is a bit different from Phase Two. However, we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s our first time taking part in such a massive tournament. We are happy and excited, and we are looking forward to showcasing our abilities.”

Having disposed of the defending champion, Steyn City, Queens will aim to stake its claim in the school’s first appearance at the national showpiece. Among the teams vying for the crown, they’ll face stiff competition from the 2025 runner-up, Saints Christian School. The Potchefstroom school, along with Nomandi Junior Secondary and the Nkowankowa Hub, has the advantage of playing in last year’s national tournament.

“The main focus has been about adaptation, fitness, and the ability to play the full 20 overs with the same intensity throughout,” Manatsa said. “Also, our ability to score runs against spinners, running between the wickets, getting our batting and bowling combinations right, and understanding how they can benefit from each other, as well as what their roles are.”

Queens opens their challenge against the KwaZulu-Natal champions, the Chatsworth Hub, on Thursday, 5 March, and will be eager to make an immediate impact in its quest to ensure the trophy stays in Central Gauteng.

Road to the final

The Bezuidenhout Valley school’s road to the national showpiece included strong performances in the CGL play-offs in November, which reflected the side’s pedigree and fearlessness.

Manatsa’s charges showed intent from the first ball of the CGL finals, first disposing of Hoërskool Randburg with a combination of flair and talent.

They then made light work of Jeppe High School for Girls in the final, limiting their neighbours to 75/9 from 16 overs, behind Choma’s 3/3, after posting 165/9, which was anchored by Matlaila’s valuable 34.

Their local form translated into regional success at the Gauteng and Mpumalanga finals, where they outplayed the Mpumalanga champions, Hoërskool Middelburg, to book their place at The Final Showdown in Pretoria.

With pride, bragging rights and a claim to being the best schoolgirl T20 side in the country on the line, Manatsa admitted that it would be difficult to win the country’s most prestigious T20 schools’ tournament. But he believes in his players’ abilities.

“We try as much as we can not to think about the fact that it’s our debut. We want to remain present and enjoy the moment. Nerves are there,” he admitted. “However, that just shows we care, and we want to do well in this final round of the Switch SchoolsSA20.

“We emphasise doing the basics or the simple things at practice, so that we limit the stress we might come across.

“Most importantly, it’s about trusting the process and believing that our abilities will take us all the way.”

After cruising through the North and Eastern regional finals in Benoni last month, the Nkowankowa Hub ladies’ team is channeling its underdog mentality for the Schools SA20 national finals in Pretoria this week.

The ladies from Limpopo rolled past the Kwa-Thema and Soshanguve Hubs in the regional finals, convincingly winning all three matches to qualify for the finals at Tuks, which begin on 12 March.

Coach Blessing Mabunda has vowed that his charges won’t shy away from the challenge despite facing an uphill battle against the likes of Steyn City School, who are led by SA u19 ladies players Kiara Ramlakan and Karabo Meso, and Saints Christian School, who beat them in the Noordvaal Cup final in December.

“Honestly, it feels like a dream. Some of these players practiced on a soccer field, batting and bowling to a fence, before the start of the Schools SA20,” Mabunda said. “It’s an honour to coach these young talented players. They are different in their own way, but together we make the Nkowankowa Hub a team to fear.”

Breaking Boundaries

Despite their resources’ challenges, Mabunda has prepared the team well and is under no illusion that it’s going to be a walk in the park, like the regional finals. He, however, is banking on the girls’ never-die attitude to challenge for top honours.

“The competition keeps on getting [more] challenging in each phase, but my girls improve with each game. Our preparation hasn’t been easy. The girls live in different locations and our hub covers the whole of Nkowankowa and the surrounding villages and townships in Tzaneen.

“There hasn’t been a day off for me, trying to ensure all the girls get attention. We have had only one warm-up match and it was against our u13 hub boys. We are grateful for the experience, exposure, and support the hub receives from the SA20.”

Mabunda has been coaching the team for six years and has watched some of the girls overcome personal challenges to become provincial players for the Limpopo Impalas. He is thankful to the organisers of the tournament for giving his team hope.

“The growth of the girls is a touching story,” he said. “They went through a lot and cricket gave them hope. Living in rural areas is not easy, especially coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. But that never stopped these girls from breaking boundaries.

“Some have received provincial colours while one made the last 22 for the SAu19 T20 World Cup squad. This tournament will show our talent, skills, and the growth of the hub. The finals feature the best schools and hubs in the country and we are grateful to be a part of the final phase,” he said.

Players to Watch

The team will be banking on the talents of Limpopo Impalas’ seamer Shelfa Mukhari and the talent of batting all-rounder Respect Mabasa, one of their mainstays in the regionals, to get them over the line.

Their go-to player with the ball is the prolific Pontsho Mopayi, who captured an incredible 5/3 in the round-robin against Soshanguve in the regionals.

While they are underdogs, captain Karabo Monyela is confident they will rattle a few cages. They’re going to give it their best shot, she said.

“Heading into the tournament, we look forward to showcasing our bowling attack and our skills. We are going to take it a game at a time and we are also going to keep the momentum, regardless of the situation. We are going to stay humble and focused. We are also going to keep the same energy throughout the tournament,” she said.

Nkowankowa opens their account against Saints Christian School at 09:30 on Thursday.

Head coach Claudio Lucas is well aware of the challenge that awaits his team, Saints Christian School, as his players head into the Schools SA20 national finals at the University of Pretoria.

Saints open their account against Nkowankowa Hub, a team they defeated in the Noordvaal Cup final in November, on the Tuks C field at 09:30, on Thursday, 13 March.

Lucas said his side is primed and ready, adding that they are well-prepared for the challenge that awaits them.

“It’s an amazing feeling and, as a school. we would like to thank God for the opportunity He has given us to be in this phase of the competition. Hard work truly pays off,” he declared.

“We’ve had a lot of matches with the girls at senior level. We’ve also played a few boys’ u13 and u14 teams to make sure we are best prepared for the tournament.”

Lucas’s side goes into the final phase after winning the North West leg of the competition last September with an emphatic 66-run victory over Matlosana Hub in the final.

They then dominated the Central qualifiers in January, with victories over the Botshabelo and Kuruman hubs in the round-robin before claiming the regional title with an incredible 31-run victory over Botshabelo in the final to end phase 2 undefeated.

With the title of the best schoolgirl T20 side in the country on the line, Lucas’s team is eager to continue their good run in the tournament and the coach has promised fans “lots of passion, determination, and discipline” from the Potchefstroom school.

“We have a very good and young squad. Coaches Chè Williams, Thato Legoete, and I, have been working with these girls for the past six years and the hard work is definitely starting to pay off,” Lucas said.

Saints boasts one of the better squads in the national finals, which includes players who have represented North West and South African Schools in various age groups.

The players expected to shine for the team include the captain, Tshegofatso Monyela, a two-time SA Schools’ player. She’s also Saints’ top run scorer in the local league with 438 runs, which includes two centuries and two half-centuries, in eight innings. Monyela also offers a lot with the ball as an off-spinner.

Another prospect is opening batter Reabetswe Dithipe, who turned out for North West’s u16 side in the CSA Week in December. Besides her contribution with the bat, Dithipe is a prolific right-arm off-spinner with 18 wickets in seven games for Saints this year.

Wicket-keeper Jessica Joshua, also a provincial player for North West, is another one to watch. Lucas regards her as the best player in the country in her age group. She recently led the way with the willow for Saints, cracking 119 off 80 deliveries, in a North West Women’s League match.

Lucas said if Saints Christian School wins the competition, it would prove that their endless hours in the nets were worth the effort.

“It would be massive for every single player. It will show them that all their hard work, one-on-one training, and numerous fielding sessions, have paid off,” he said.