Author: froberholzer

Hoërskool Middelburg continued its dominance in Mpumalanga over the last two years.

Just a couple of weeks after claiming the Mpumalanga Premier 50-overs league, the Middies engraved their name for a second consecutive season on the Switch Schools SA20 trophy with a handsome seven-wicket victory over Hoërskool Nelspruit in Wednesday’s final.

Relive all the Switch Schools SA20 action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

The Middies had to get past Uplands College in the first semi-final of the day, which they did thanks to some batting brilliance by Herman Potgieter and Hendré Nel, both of whom would also play significant roles in the final later in the day. Playing host to both semi-finals and the final, the Middies were put in to bat first against Uplands.

Things went swimmingly, with Eduan Stydom and Potgieter, as they did in most of the previous matches, setting up a solid opening stand. They combined for an 87-run partnership before Strydom (42) was caught and bowled by Aiden van Zyl (1/25) on the final ball of the 10th over. Potgieter went on to surpass the 50-run mark before he was eventually run out for his side’s top score of 64. However, the fun was far from over as Nel approached the crease.

Realising that the Middies needed some extra momentum to reach a winning total, Nel set the Middie-Oval alight. It only took him 18 deliveries to smash six sixes and five fours to end the allotted 20 overs on 63 not out, which gave his side 215/4 to bowl at.

Uplands fought well, mostly through Noah Erasmus (48) and Mfundo Mthimunye (39). Erasmus was inspirational and could feel hard done by not making another two runs for a well-deserved half-century. Potgieter, however, sent them both back to the pavilion, backing up his 64 runs with figures of 2/26.

Nel was the pick of the bowlers. He, too, was brimming with confidence following his batting heroics, boasting 2/20 in his four overs and playing the main protagonist in restricting the visitors to 176/6.

In the second semi-final, Hoërskool Nelspruit’s Jean Maritz and Luan Siebrits batted their side to a 44-run victory over Hoërskool Secunda. Maritz led the charge with a blitzkrieg of 79 coming from just 45 deliveries, while Siebrits supported with an equally impressive 63 from 47 balls. This established a total of 187/4 by the end of 20 overs.

Hanru van der Merwe and his accurate spin bowling then toppled the Secunda batting lineup. He snapped up a match-defining 4/23 in his allotted four overs. Gherdu van Eeden supported with 3/33.

CJ Bakker was Secunda’s best batsman, contributing 37 of his side’s 143 runs, which was also the highest individual score, while with the ball he picked up 2/28 in an impressive four overs.

Van Eeden was a standout in the final, too, albeit with the willow this time around. His unbeaten 52 runs, together with the 39 from Dian Boucher, gave the Nellies a total of 173/5 to bowl at after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

Strydom and Potgieter laid the foundation once more, this time with a partnership of 71 runs, before Strydom was dismissed, again for 42 runs. Following his departure, there was a momentum shift. Gavin Genis (2) lost his wicket early to the bowling of Hanru van der Merwe (1/27), while Potgieter, suffering from severe cramp, seemed to be struggling, especially with running between the wickets. He still managed to battle ahead for a match-winning 76 from 53 balls.

This did affect the rate of scoring until Nel strode out to the crease again. There wasn’t a better person for the pressure moment, as shown by his unbeaten 29 from only 11 deliveries. After some nervy times, especially from overs 14 to 19, Nel’s blitzkrieg got the hosts over the line with three balls to spare, and bagged a consecutive Switch Schools SA20 title.

Summarised scorecards

Semi Final 1 

Hoërskool Middelburg 215/4 (Herman Potgieter 64, Hendré Nel 63*, Eduan Strydom 42; Jordan Botha 1/39); Uplands College 176/7 (Noah Erasmus 48, Mfundo Mthimunye 39, Aiden van Zyl 35, Jordan Botha 25; Hendré Nel 2/20, Herman Potgieter 2/26, Frederik Boshoff 2/28). Hoërskool Middelburg won by 39 runs. 

Semi Final 2 

Hoërskool Nelspruit 187/4 (Jean Maritz 79, Luan Siebrits 63, Gherdu van Eeden 24*; CJ Bakker 2/28); Hoërskool Secunda 143 (CJ Bakker 37, Jayden Scholtz, Nathan Erasmus 20; Hanru van der Merwe 4/23, Gherdu van Eeden 3/33). Hoërskool Nelspruit won by 44 runs. 

Final 

Hoërskool Nelspruit 173/5 (Gherdu van Eeden 52*, Dian Boucher 39, Jeandré de Bruyn 20*; Frederik Boshoff 1/14); Hoërskool Middelburg 177/3 (Herman Potgieter 76*, Eduan Strydom 42, Hendré Nel 29, Wijnand Millard 20; Hanru van der Merwe 1/27). Hoërskool Middelburg won by seven wickets. 

St David’s Marist Inanda became the second side to claim a super over victory at the Wildeklawer T20 after matching Grey High School in their playoff game on Sunday.

Earlier in the tournament, Northwood beat Die Hoërskool Menlopark in the first fixture to require an additional 12 balls.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

St David’s stalwart Jason Rowles‘s contribution of 43 with the bat helped the Johannesburg school to 126/7. Rowles ended the tournament as the fourth leading run-scorer, with 166, despite not once scoring a half-century.

Grey High’s Anfred Jansen responded with an imposing innings of 55, while captain Teun Kloppenberg’s 37 provided vital support. Their efforts helped the Eastern Cape to exactly match the St David’s total.

In the super over, Armaan Manack stepped up to the plate, smashing a four, a six, while also facing one dot ball, to single-handedly chase down the target of nine runs set by the side from Qgeberha.

The Bothas, of St Andrew’s School, laid the platform for a 22-run victory over Die Hoërskool Menlopark, as determined by the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method. Naudé Botha fluently achieved his top score of the week, 56, while FG Botha backed him up with an equally impressive 46.

Jordan van Eck (3/19) was devastating with the ball, capturing three of the six scalps claimed by the Parkies. However, when it was their turn to bat, the Pretoria side lost four wickets for 80 runs, which left them 22 runs short of the par score when the game was cut short.

Paul Roos Gimnasium completed a disappointing weekend for Durban High School, handing the Horseflies a third defeat in four matches. Liam Basson made the largest contribution to the Western Cape side’s total of 125/6, with an unbeaten 49 from just 38 balls. Jason Raal supported him well with an unbeaten 30 lower down the order.

The reliable Dion Slabber then did the damage with the ball, dismantling the DHS top order with stunning figures of 4/20. Luca Plekker chipped in with 2/18 to restrict School to a meagre 105/9 in their 20 overs.

Westville Boys’ High kept the CSA Hub Invitational XI winless, beating them by 19 runs in the 15^th-place play-off. Sean McGough stood out with the bat for Westville, scoring 31 of his side’s modest total of 128/9. Tristin Delvin, then, took the lead with the ball, snaring 3/13 with his left-arm spin to help keep the CSA Hub to only 109/9.

Summarised scorecards

St David’s Marist 127/6 (Jason Rowles 43, Kyle Butler 25, Samrat Basu 23; Alejo Nota 2/22, Drisden Pretorius 2/22). Grey High 127/6 (Anfred Jansen 55, Teun Kloppenberg 37; Morteza Manack 3/27, Christopher Emslie 2/28). St David’s Marist won in the super over. 

St Andrew’s School 173/6 (Naudé Botha 56, FG Botha 46, Grové du Preez 24*, Extras 21; Jordan van Eck 3/19); Menlopark 80/4 (11) (Jacques de Villiers 21*; Erhard Barends 1/16). St Andrew’s School won by 22 runs (DLS). 

Paul Roos Gimnasium 125/6 (Liam Basson 49*, Jason Raal 30*; Bonga Mapanga 2/13, Taine Havemann 2/24); Durban High School 105/9 (Ethan Cooper 29, Lazlo Jooste 25, Sulaimaan Jadwat 21; Dion Slabber 4/20; Luca Plekker 2/18). Paul Roos Gimnasium won by 20 runs. 

Westville Boys’ High 128/9 (Sean McGough 31, Dayalan Boyce 22*; Mpontsheng Mashalane 2/11, Taywin Adams 2/20, Awonke Mngini 2/24); CSA Hub Invitational XI 109/9 (Extras 22, Daveric Petersen 21; Tristin Delvin 3/13). Westville Boys’ High won by 19 runs. 

After missing out on a place in the final of the erstwhile North-South tournament, Hoërskool Waterkloof turned the tables on Grey College with a 125-run victory in the final of the inaugural Wildeklawer T20 tournament.

Relive all the Wildeklawer T20 action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

In 2024, the side from Bloemfontein’s spinners used the Camp Discovery wicket to great effect to topple the cricket giant from Pretoria. This year, however, the Klofies’ turners, especially Johan Liebenberg, had the last laugh.

Following a captain’s knock by Riley Miller (49*) and further notable contributions from AJ de Villiers (48) and youngster Juan Swart (43), Liebenberg had plenty of runs to play with as Klofies had reached 214/5 in the allotted 20 overs. His exceptional spell of 3/13 in three overs played a decisive role in Grey’s collapse.

De Villiers followed his heroics with the bat to take down three wickets of his own (3/19). Rivan Booysen, the Klofies’ other left-arm turner, completed the dismantling of the Grey batting lineup, reducing the side from Bloemfontein to runners-up for the second year in a row when the last wicket fell with the score on only 89.

In the third-place play-off, bad light had the final say in the Johannesburg derby between two old rivals, Jeppe High School for Boys and King Edward VII School (KES), with Jeppe winning by 22 runs as determined by the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method.

Troy Gordon got amongst the runs for the umpteenth time over the last month, top-scoring with 49 to help KES to 165/7. Vegas Scott‘s reply of 66 runs, however, put Jeppe in a commanding position, 22 runs ahead of the required DLS target when the officials decided to call it a day.

Daniel Cooke, the leading wicket-taker over the four days of action with 11, and Raaid Daniels caused Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool a world of trouble with a combined six wickets for only 48 runs. Cooke was at the forefront again with 3/20, helping his side to successfully defend a score of 147/8, in which Ethan de Heer Kloots played the main role with 40 runs.

Vihan Pretorius was the only Affie batter to get past the 30-run mark, top scoring with 33 as the defending champs were bowled out for 126 in the fifth-place play-off match.

Jamie Wimble and Joshua Mills handled a small chase with ease as Northwood downed Wynberg Boys’ High by five wickets. Needing only 106 for victory, Wimble contributed 43, while Mills’ unbeaten 20 provided the final nail in the coffin. The two innings came on the back of an impressive display by the Northwood bowling attack, which was led by Ryan van Zyl with a return of 2/5 in three overs.

Summarised scorecards

Waterkloof 214/5 (Riley Miller 49*, AJ de Villiers 48, Juan Swart 43, Johan Feuth 35; Henru de Wet 3/39); Grey College 89 (Christian Kind 35, Peter le Roux 21; Johan Liebenberg 3/13, AJ de Villiers 3/19, Rivan Booysen 2/23). Waterkloof won by 125 runs. 

King Edward VII School 165/7 (Troy Gordon 49, Tiago Dias 23, Zieg Roos 22, Khwezi Nyamathe 22; Ahmed Goolam 2/18, Reza Ayob 2/37); Jeppe High School for Boys 129/4 (15) (Vegas Scott 66, Lincoln Casias 22*; Lebone Ramedupe 2/22). Jeppe High School for Boys won by 13 runs (DLS). 

Rondebosch Boys’ High 147/8 (Ethan de Heer Kloots 40, Adeeb Levy 26, Janko Webb 25; Zian Labuschagne 3/32, Petrus Rautenbach 2/26); Affies 126 (Vihan Pretorius 33, Paul Bester 22, Ruben Groenewald 20, Daniel Murray 20; Daniel Cooke 3/20, Raaid Daniels 3/28, Schalk Fourie 2/30). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by 21 runs. 

Wynberg Boys’ High 105/8 (Matthew Saunders 39*; Ryan van Zyl 2/5, Joshua Mills 2/14, Keegan Reeves 2/17); Northwood 107/5 (Jamie Wimble 43, Joshua Mill 20*; Ishan Khan 2/15, Damien Harris 2/17). Northwood won by five wickets. 

Northwood claimed the closest victory of the 2025 Wildekalwer as they pipped Die Hoërskool Menlopark in a fixture that went all the way down to a super over.

Relive all the Wildeklawer T20 action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

By the end of 40 overs, the two sides were locked at 124 runs each. Parkies’ Jovan Hartman led his side’s batting efforts with an unbeaten 36 runs, while, for Northwood, Thomas Oosthuizen (38) and James Searle (29) put in the hard yards.

As far as the bowling went, Thabiso Mtambo was Northwood’s pick with 2/21, while for the Parkies, Heinrich Claassen produced an economical spell for figures of 1/13, playing a major role in forcing the match to go to a super over. In the super over, Keegan Reeves was the deciding factor with 2/6, which clinched the match for the side from KZN.

St Andrew’s School finally enjoyed the taste of victory, handing the “Horseflies” of Durban High School their third defeat on the bounce, but only by a mere three runs. Andrew Sobiech (58) and Grové du Preez (45) played leading roles in Saint’s first victory.

Sobiech’s 58 might just prove to be the turning point for the side from Bloemfontein, following their batting woes over the weekend thus far, helping his side to their highest total (158/8) in three encounters.

Ethan Cooper replied with a superlative 72, supported by Ismaeel Omar (27). Leg-spinners Nikhil Sukraj (2/19) and FG Botha (2/32), however, halted the Horseflies’ charge to secure the narrow victory.

Paul Roos Gimnasium also claimed a first victory at this year’s tournament, beating Grey College by an equally nail-biting two runs. Matthew Seymore, originally from the Highveld, led the Paul Roos batting attack with 45 runs. Liam Basson supported with 38 to get the side from the Western Cape to 140/7 in 20 overs.

Grey College appeared set to chase the target down comfortably, especially after Daniel Hattingh got going for his 63. His wicket, however, came at just the right time, claimed by Marcus Conradie (2/17), and changed the flow of the game.

Affies recovered from an earlier loss and disappointing batting display against Jeppe to beat the CSA Hub Invitational XI convincingly by 60 runs.

Opening batsman JP Botha was at his fluent best with a quick but mature 72, while youngsters Christian Linde (37) and Albie Morkel’s offspring, AJ Morkel (36), contributed well to lead the defending champions to 180/6 in 20 overs.

The ever-reliant duo of Ruben Groenewald and Vihan Pretorius then did their thing with the ball, claiming 3/14 each, to restrict the CSA Hub side to 120/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Summarised scorecards

Menlopark 124/7 (Jovan Hartman 36*; Jordan Matthews 2/21, Thabiso Mtambo 2/33); Northwood 124/5 (Thomas Oosthuizen 38; James Searle 29; Heinrich Claassen 1/13). Northwood won in the super over. 

St Andrew’s School 158/8 (Andrew Sobiech 58, Grové du Preez 45; Schalk van Rensburg 22; Bayanda Majola 3/18, Ethan Cooper 3/22); Durban High School 155/5 (Ethan Cooper 72, Ismaeel Omar 27; Nikhil Sukraj 2/19, FG Botha 2/32). St Andrew’s School won by three runs. 

Paul Roos Gimnasium 140/7 (Matthew Seymore 45, Liam Basson 38; Henru de Wet 1/23); Grey College 138/6 (Daniel Hattingh 63, Peter le Roux 28, River Scott 20; Marcus Conradie 2/17). Paul Roos won by two runs. 

Affies 180/6 (JP Botha 72, Christian Linde 37, AJ Morkel 36; Awonke Mngini 2/28); CSA Hub Invitational XI 120/9 (Lona Pitoli 32*; Ruben Groenewald 3/14, Vihan Pretorius 3/14). Affies won by 60 runs. 

Hoërskool Waterkloof went three from three in the ‘Pool of Death’, seeing off Westville Boys’ High in their third and final pool match on Friday afternoon.

Relive all the Wildeklawer T20 action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Prior to this, Kloof overcame Rondebosch Boys’ High on Thursday and St David’s Marist on Friday morning.

Frontline batsman Rico van der Walt delivered the goods to lead the onslaught with 65 runs. Fellow opener, AJ de Villiers, contributed 55 while Riley Miller made a quick 26 to get the Klofies to 177/7 in the allotted 20 overs.

Westville’s Tristin Delvin replied with a well-played 68, but was the only batsman to make a noteworthy contribution.

Young left-arm turner, Rivan Booysen, was the best Klofie bowler, snapping up 3/17. Jean Cloete, another young left-arm turner, backed him up with 2/29 as Westville could manage only 140/8, suffering a 37-run defeat.

Jeppe High School for Boys put together a first innings total of 186/5, with Aiden Reyneke taking the lead with an entertaining innings of 59. This enabled Jeppe to comfortably beat Grey High with 67 runs. The collective Jeppe batting effort was backed up by some disciplined spin-bowling and efficient fielding.

Keegan Caxiera was the pick of the Johannesburg bowlers with figures of 2/12, while Zizi Mkhize (2/19) and Reza Ayob (2/32) provided the necessary support. Grey High’s captain, Teun Kloppenberg, appeared positive with the willow, making 25 in the chase. Unfortunately, Grey High could only manage 119 before the last wicket fell.

The clash between Rondebosch Boys’ High and St David’s Marist pitted Ethan de Heer Kloots and Daniel Bosman against Jason Rowles. The Bosch due came out on top for the side from the Western Cape to win by nine wickets. De Heer Kloots (3/9) and Bosman (2/10) combined with five wickets for only 19 runs, while Rowles scored 33 of St David’s 77 runs.

The Bosch duo then batted well together, with Bosman (29*) taking the lead this time around and De Heer Kloots supporting with 28. Rowles was the only St David’s bowler to pick up a wicket (1/8).

King Edward VII bagged their second victory of the day. The side from Johannesburg beat Wynberg Boys’ High with six wickets in another low-scoring affair. Connor Kuijers was exceptional. His 5/15 broke the back of the Wynberg batting attack, who managed only 80 runs. Zieg Roos (28) and Luke Clark (27) handled the chase, securing a vital victory.

Summarised scorecards 

Waterkloof 177/7 (Rico van der Walt 65, AJ de Villiers 55, Riley Miller 26; Kyle McGough 3/19, Tristin Delvin 2/25); Westville Boys’ High 140/8 (Tristin Delvin 68; Rivan Booysen 3/17, Jean Cloete 2/29). Waterkloof won by 37 runs. 

Jeppe High School for Boys 186/5 (Aiden Reyneke 59, Vegas Scott 36, Lincoln Casais 33, Ryan Young 23, Zizi Mkhize 23; Logan Groch 2/31); Grey High 119 (Teun Kloppenberg 25; Keegan Caxiero 2/12, Zizi Mkhize 2/19, Reza Ayob 2/32). Jeppe High School for Boys won by 67 runs. 

St David’s Marist 77 (Jason Rowles 33; Ethan de Heer Kloots 3/9, Daniel Bosman 2/10); Rondebosch Boys’ High 78/1 (Daniel Bosman 29*, Ethan de Heer Kloots 28; Jason Rowles 1/8). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by nine wickets. 

Wynberg Boys’ High 80 (Storme van Rooyen 22; Connor Kuijers 5/15); King Edward VII School 84/4 (Zieg Roos 28, Luke Clark 27; Joshua Prince 1/15). King Edward VII School won by six wickets. 

The second day’s action in Kimberley, at Hoërskool Diamantveld’s Wildeklawer T20 Tournament, got underway bright and early as the first session kicked off with the chickens at 07:30 on Friday morning.

As the flagship Wildeklawer T20 tournament, the Kimberley event aligns with the Wildeklawer tournament taking place at the same time in Pretoria.

Helpmekaar Kollege‘s Zuan Joubert seemed to have had a good night’s rest, as his innings of 82 not out made him the leading run scorer since the start of the tournament on Thursday afternoon, and led his side to a 40-run victory over Oakdale Landbou. Joubert currently sits on 120 runs in his two outings.

Sebastian Kloek‘s 73 also helped the Helpies to achieve a sizeable score of 208/3 in the allotted 20 overs. The bowlers obliged thereafter to restrict Oakdale to 168/3, but not before Rico Ferreira smashed the highest score of the tournament thus far, a whopping 90 not out from only 46 deliveries. He struck six fours and six sixes, and, although in vain, set Kimberly Boys’ High‘s oval alight.

Hoërskool Garsfontein came out on top in an all-Pretoria affair with Hoërskool Montana, winning comfortably by eight wickets. Stalwart Jarred Carr‘s 4/26 played a crucial part in the victory as it restricted the Monties to a meagre 132/9 in the allotted 20 overs.

Righardt Joubert and the ever-impressive Reuben van Zyl handled the chase with ease. Joubert led the way with an unbeaten half-century (54*), whilst Van Zyl contributed 35. Marco Rudolph was the standout for the Monties with a well-played 50 against a powerful Garsfontein bowling attack.

Stellenberg handled Framesby with an 87-run victory, thanks to the batting heroics of Roux Wasserman and JJ Rothman. Wasserman was the main contributor in Stellies’ innings of 185/7, scoring 78 of the runs. Rothman added a significant contribution with 58, as the pair combined for 73.5% of the team’s total.

Jan-Jak Alberts followed up with the spell of the tournament so far. In just 2.5 overs, he dismantled Framesby with astonishing figures of 5/12, an exceptional feat in the shorter form of the game.

The CBC Invitational overcame Parel Vallei by a convincing seven wickets, thanks to 49 from Faizaan Kajee and 41 not out from Kieran Adams in their chase of 127. Adams’ innings followed his heroics with the ball, where he claimed 3/15 in three overs.

Hans Moore, despite only getting to 127/5 in their allotted 20 overs, beat HTS Drostdy by 43 runs. Sohil Jugnath (32) and Xavier Coetzee (31*) both passed the 30-run mark, whereafter Xavier van Biljon picked up 2/17 as Drostdy could only manage 84/7 in their 20 overs.

The next two rounds will also take place later on Friday, after which the Final will be played on Saturday.

Summarised Scorecards: 

Helpmekaar Kollege 208/3 (Zuan Joubert 82*, Sebastian Kloek 73, Keegan van Schoor 27; Harri venter 2/30); Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale 168/3 (Rico Ferreira 90*, André Gouws 33, Stian Pfaff 27*; Ruben Bredenkamp 1/5). Helpmekaar Kollege won by 40 runs. 

Montana 132/9 (Marco Rudolph 50, Rowan Sweetman 25, Reinhardt Swart 24; Jarred Carr 4/26, Wikus du Preez 2/26); Garsfontein 137/2 (Righardt Joubert 54*, Reuben van Zyl 35, Riaan Boshoff 30, Frank van dr Westhuizen 1/14). Garsfontein won by eight wickets. 

Stellenberg 185/7 (Roux Wasserman 78, JJ Rothman 58; Logan Fleetwood 2/16, Nicholas Joubert 2/38); Framesby 98 (JJ de Lange 25, Nichalos Joubert 21; Jan-Jak Alberts 5/12). Stellenberg won by 87 runs. 

Parel Vallei 126/9 (Divan Sander 40*; Kieran Adams 3/15, Tumisho Lekaote 3/28); CBC Invitational 130/3 (Faizaan Kajee 49, Kieran Adams 41*; Chris Hughes 1/16). CBC Invitational won by seven wickets. 

Hans Moore 127/5 (Sohil Jugnath 32, Xavier Coetzee 31*; Karel Hugo 2/23); HTS Drostdy 84/7 (Albert Nel 27; Xavier van Biljon 2/17). Hans Moore won by 43 runs. 

The newly branded Wildeklawer T20, previously known as the North/South T20, hosts some of the finest schools’ cricketing talent from across South Africa.

This year, 16 of the top teams will again battle it out for the title, currently held by Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, one of the three hosts alongside Hoërskool Waterkloof and Die Hoërskool Menlopark.

As with past tournaments, the team at SuperSport Schools Plus took on the challenging task of naming five players to watch during the upcoming four days of cricket, set to commence on Thursday afternoon, 16 October, across the Jacaranda City. Here are the five players to keep an eye on:

Troy Gordon: King Edward VII School (KES)

In his most recent outing, KES‘s mainstay with the bat and captain, Troy Gordon, has found form at just the right time. His purple patch started when he led the Johannesburg Invitational XI to the St John’s College (Harare) Rams T20 title, where, in three consecutive outings, he raised his bat for half-centuries, boasting a highest score of 84.

However, it was at the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week that Gordon reached his pinnacle, especially in the 50-over clash with Clifton, where he produced a spectacular T20-like innings. His unbeaten 109* against the side from KwaZulu-Natal came from only 64 deliveries, a massive statement just a little more than a week before he makes his appearance in Pretoria. In his three innings at the Michaelmas Week, Gordon scored 260 runs without being dismissed.

Daniel Bosman (Rondebosch Boys’ High) 

As one of South Africa’s most exciting young talents, Daniel Bosman has the makings of a great cricketer. Following his inclusion in the South African u19 side for the Youth Test against England early in 2025 and his selection to travel to Zimbabwe, also with the National u19 side, Bosman will be a key figure in Rondebosch Boys’ High‘s bid to dethrone Affies as champions.

When discussing Bosman, batting is the first aspect that comes to mind, although his right arm off-breaks could also play a vital role for his side, especially on the batting-friendly wickets up in the northern part of the country, with batsmen looking for the ball to come onto the bat. At 17 years old, his experience in national colours will no doubt come in handy, too.

Taine Havemann (Durban High School) 

Taine Havemann is the younger brother of Jared Havermann, also an all-rounder who enjoyed great success, primarily as a leg-spin bowler for Durban High School (DHS). The younger Havemann bowls right-arm medium-fast and is a hard-hitting middle-order batsman. He has played a leading role in helping DHS win back-to-back Clifton T20 Tournament titles, which feature the top 10 boys’ schools in KZN plus other invited teams – this year, Waterkloof and St John’s College (Harare).

Havemann’s batting prowess came to the fore at the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week when DHS successfully chased down St David’s Marist Inanda‘s 270/9. Havemann scored 79 and, together with Josh van Biljon (82), added a crucial 126 for the third wicket. With his clean striking and his pace, Havemann can change the outcome of a match, especially in the shorter formats of the game.

FG Botha (St Andrew’s School) 

Since the start of the Switch School SA20 competition in 2024, FG Botha, of St Andrew’s School, has made it clear that he is one of the best T20 batsmen at the schoolboy level in South Africa. His half-centuries against Grey College in the final for the Free State crown, and then the final of the Regional meet-up between the best from Free State, Northern Cape and North West, proved this. Apart from his undeniable talent with the willow, he’s also a regular wicket-taker with his leg spin bowling.

It will be the third time that Botha travels to Pretoria as part of the St Andrew’s side competing in the tournament. Alongside players like Reuben van Aarde, Andrew Sobiech, and Naudé Botha, the side from Bloemfontein brings exceptional balance to the table, a balance that could well see them lift a trophy by the end of the fourth day.

Rico van der Walt (Hoërskool Waterkloof) 

Rico van der Walt, Hoërskool Waterkloof‘s wicketkeeper/batsman, is another exceptional 17-year-old talent. He was recently named in the Titans Khaya Majola side, just a year after he had represented the union at the CSA u16 National Week. Looking at his stats for 2025, it comes as no surprise that he makes the list of the five to watch.

Across the 46 matches Van der Walt has played over the calendar year, he has racked up an astonishing 1 871 runs at an average of 47.97. He has scored seven half-centuries and five centuries in a year where he tops the runs scoring of all the teams at Waterkloof by nearly 200 runs. However, it’s his strike rate of 121 that stands out.

Bearing in mind that these stats are across all formats, Van der Walt’s aggressive nature, combined with batting-friendly conditions, could spell more danger for opponents, especially alongside hard-hitting captain, Riley Miller, in the middle order.

The Titans have announced their squad participating in the 2025 Khaya Majola Week, from 16 to 21 December in the City of Roses, Bloemfontein.

The side from the Jacaranda City, boasting some of the top talent in the country, features an exciting mix of young talent and experience, although only three players from last year’s squad return.

Atteridgeville will be eagerly supporting Tshepang Laka in his second appearance at the prestigious week, while Laudium and Prestige College, respectively, have Mahommad Borabat and Ditebogo Chauke returning to the set-up. The rest of the 13-man squad are all new faces, although the inclusion of Garsfontein‘s dangerous duo, Xander Venter and Reuben van Zyl, comes as no surprise.

Van Zyl has been leading the run scoring charts in the Titans Platinum League this year, while Venter has consistently knocked on the door since u16. Venter will likely play an integral part in the leadership corps of the side too, having led the Ysbere over the last couple of years.

Hoërskool Waterkloof, one of Pretoria’s biggest cricketing factories, also has two representatives. Most notably, the wicketkeeper-batsman Rico van der Walt graduates from last year’s CSA u16 National Week, with the ever-impressive Darius Maritz joining him from the Blou Tornado.

Another graduate from last year’s u16 Week is Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool‘s Vihan Pretorius, also not a surprise inclusion as he already represented the South African u19 side in Zimbabwe earlier this year at the young age of 17. He is Affies’ sole representative.

Alongside Chauke, Prestige College have two more representatives, making them the most represented school in the Pretoria region. Lesedi Mabena, another who featured alongside Van der Walt and Pretorius in the younger age groups, makes the step-up, having already spent time at the Titans Talent Identification Camp two months ago. Keamogetswe Semenya is the third to fly the Prestige College flag in Bloemfontein.

Cornwall Hill College, like Garsfontein and Waterkloof, has two players attending the week. Captain Ab Rasool cracked the nod alongside the talented Neoentle Makwela, who will look to play a crucial part with the ball in Bloemfontein. Pretoria Boys High, like neighbours Affies, have only one representative in Timothy Gordon. Gordon will add firepower with the willow, having looked in good nick during the new season thus far.

TITANS SQUAD

Timothy Gordon (Pretoria Boys High), Tshepang Laka (Atteridgeville Hub), Lesedi Mabena (Prestige College), Ab Rasool (Cornwall Hill College), Vihan Pretorius (Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool), Reuben van Zyl (Garsfontein), Rico van der Walt (Waterkloof), Keamogetswe Semenya (Prestige College), Xander Venter (Garsfontein), Darius Maritz (Waterkloof), Neoentle Makwela (Cornwall Hill College), Ditebogo Chauke (Prestige College), Mahommed Borabat (Laudium Hub).

Head Coach: Thabang Khumalo
Assistant Coach: Elmar Dorey
Team Manager: Thabiso Makwela

Hoërskool Nelspruit het die tweede span van Mpumalanga geword om vandeesmaand ‘n nuwe rugbydirekteur aan te stel.

Die Rhinos se paadjie het kort na afloop van die 2025-rugbyseisoen geskei met die van Ryno Luus, wat aan die begin van die jaar aangestel is.

Dit het to gevolg gehad dat die Nellies vir die voormalige Blitsbok en agterlynafrigter van die Pumas se Curriebekerspan, MJ Mentz, nader getrek het om die leisels as rugbybaas oor te neem.

“Ons is opgewonde om aan te kondig dat Mnr. MJ Mentz as hoof van rugby by ons aangesluit het,” lui ‘n verklaring deur die Nellies op Facebook.

“MJ het geen bekendstelling nodig nie. Hy het self professioneel rugby gespeel en was tot onlangs die Pumas se hulpafrigter. Ons sien uit na die nuwe rugbyseisoen onder sy kundigheid, passie en leierskap, wat beslis nuwe energie na ons rugbyspanne sal bring.”

Mentz se wortels is diep gesetel in Mpumalanga. Hy is op 21 Julie 1982  gebore in Ermelo, waar hy 18 jaar later gematrikuleer het aan die Hoërskool Ermelo.

“Na skool het hy van 2002 tot 2012 vir onderskeidelik die Luiperds, Griekwas en Pumas verteenwoordig, terwyl hy ook van 2006 tot 2011 vir die SA Sewes in 18 toernooie verteenwoordig en saam met dié span  ‘n bronsmedalje by Statebondspele in 2010 verower het.

Sy afrigtingsloopbaan het kort ná sy uittrede  as speler begin, toe hy as hulpafrigter van die Pumas aangestel is in 2013. In 2015 het hy vir twee seisoene die leisels as hoofafrigter by Jimmy Stonehouse oorgeneem en daardie selfde seisoen die Pumas na hul eerste Vodacombeker-titel gelei.

In 2017, met Stonehouse se terugkeer na die Laeveld, het Mentz betrokke gebly by die span in pienk as agterlynafrigter, ‘n posisie wat hy tot en met sy aanstelling by die Nellies beklee het.

Mentz se werk is vir hom uitgeknip by die Rhinos, en tesame met sy ervaring van die afgelope 12 jaar by die Pumas kan dit nét die woema verskaf wat die Rhinos in die nuwe seisoen benodig. Hoewel nie só ‘n swak seisoen soos sommige mense wil uitmaak nie, het die Nellies warm en koud geblaas in 2025. Dit het daartoe gelei dat hulle een van twee spanne was wat van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker- na die Plaat-afdeling gerelegeer is.

Die Rhinos gaan volgende jaar in die Plaat met Mpumalanga se ander swaargewig, Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg, die Plaat se agtereenvolgende kampioen (2024-’25), kragte meet. Die groenes van Miidelburg, Hoërskool Middelburg, sal sake in die taai Beker afdeling van die SDC kompetisie uit spook.

In one of the biggest matchups on the final day of the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week, Grey College, and more specifically Juan Maree, concluded four tough days of cricket with some batting fun in a win over Durban High School (DHS).

The final day promised exciting T20 cricket as the event drew to a close and Maree flourished in the abbreviated format. He punished DHS’s decision to bowl first, in the match played at Michaelhouse’s Hannahs Oval.

Despite his opening partner, Christian Kind (9), departing early, Maree stepped on the gas and never relented. Striking at a rapid pace, he quickly took the game by the scruff of the neck, and, by the end of Grey’s 20 overs, he was on 100 not out off of only 58 balls. His innings had included nine fours and five sixes.

Daniel Hattingh and Aiden Dodd, two of Grey’s most consistent performers during the Michaelmas Week, once again made useful contributions. Hattingh weighed in with a quickfire 37, while Dodd also didn’t hang around for his 26, which helped the Bloemfontein boys to a healthy 210/5.

Despite that big total, Grey was made to work hard for victory, which eventually came by 32 runs. The Horseflies, a top quality T20 outfit, fought hard to chase down the big total. Ismaeel Omar led their run chase, scoring 61 from only 36 deliveries, while his fellow opener, Ethan Cooper, fell just short of a half-century when he was dismissed for 47.

Sicelo Matayi’s bowling proved to be the difference between the sides. He made good use of the new ball to pick up 3/32. Bergh Vorster, another player who had made his mark in Grey College’s previous matches, was again among the wickets, bagging 2/16, while Bernard Saaiman delivered the final blow and finished with 2/18.

At UKZN, Northwood‘s Kyle White had a day to remember as he led his side to a 10-run victory over St Stithians College, who had scored tight victories in their previous three matches.

The Hanslo brothers shared seven wickets between them, with Tasheen claiming 4/27 and Zaakir 3/18, but White withstood the pressure to score what turned out to be a match-winning 54 in Northwood’s 153 all out.

His heroics didn’t end with his batting, though. The Northwood captain removed St Stithians’ two highest run scorers, getting rid of Ombesa Matsha for 55, and Nicholas Bayly for 32. After their departures, no other Saints‘ batsmen got going and the Johannesburg side was limited to 143/8 in their 20 overs.

Hoërskool Waterkloof enjoyed a smooth ride, cruising to a nine-wicket win over Paul Roos Gimnasium at the Beaumont Eston Farmers Club. Ricardo Crous snapped up 3/12 and AJ de Villiers 3/16 as the Stellenbosch boys were bundled out for a meagre 85.

Rico van der Walt, fresh off a century on Monday, made light work of the chase, striking an unbeaten 44, while De Villiers chipped in with 29.

In a closely contested clash, Westville Boys’ High overcame the other Pretoria powerhouse, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, by one wicket at the MP Oval, in Woodlands. That win owed a lot to their captain, Seth Simpson, whose excellent run of form continued with his side’s top score of 45.

Tristin Delvin also deserves a special mention for his valuable 36, which helped Westville reach the victory target of 139.

Earlier, Affies had posed 138/7, led by Ruben Groenewald‘s 45, while Adriaan Nel contributed 30, and Christiaan Linde 26.

Zian Labuschagne was the pick of the Affies’ bowlers, knocking over 3/35, and he was well supported by Petrus Rautenbach, who returned 2/10, while Nico Loggenberg claimed 2/28. It was, however, not quite enough.

Summarised scorecards

Grey College 210/5 (Juan Maree 100*, Daniel Hattingh 37, Aiden Dodd 26; Josh Morley 2/40); Durban High School 178/9 (Ismaeel Omar 61, Ethan Cooper 47; Sicelo Matayi 3/32, Bergh Vorster 2/16, Bernard Saaiman 2/18). Grey College won by 32 runs. 

Northwood 153/10 (Kyle White 54, Ben Cilliers 22, Jamie Wimble 21; Tasheen Hanslo 4/27, Zaakir Hanslo 3/18); St Stithians College 143/8 (Ombesa Matsha 55, Nicholas Bayly 32; Kyle White 3/22, Ryan van Zyl 3/23). Northwood won by 10 runs. 

Paul Roos Gimnasium 85 /10 (Dion Slabber 21, Luca Plekker 20; Ricardo Crous 3/12, AJ de Villiers 3/16); Waterkloof 91/1 (Rico van der Walt 44*, AJ de Villiers 29; Nathan van den Bergh 1/17). Waterkloof won by nine wickets. 

Affies 138/7 (Ruben Groenewald 45, Adriaan Nel 30, Christiaan Linde 26; Shaun McGough 3/20); Westville Boys’ High 139/9 (Seth Simpson 45, Tristin Delvin 36; Zian Labuschagne 3/35, Petrus Rautenbach 2/10, Nico Loggenberg 2/28). Westville Boys’ High won by one wicket.