Author: froberholzer

Cristivan Coezer is the envy of his North-West Schools counterparts, and with good reason.

The opening batsman of Potchefstroom Gimnasium‘s First XI notched his seventh century of the calendar year to maintain the Gimmies’  unbeaten run in the North West Schools 50-over League.

The boys from Potch are now the clear favourites to take home the title, shortly after winning the Switch Schools SA20 title barely a week ago. This will establish them as strong contenders in the Fain Noordvaal Tournament, following all five leagues north of the Vaal River.

The century from Coetzer, as well as numerous other contributions with the bat, on Wednesday, 1 October, saw the Gimmies cruise to a mammoth 199-run victory over Hoërskool Lichtenburg in Potchefstroom. Ulrich Botha, Coetzer’s opening partner, and Lukas Kotze also shone with 85 runs each.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts amassed a big first innings total of 348/5 in just 30 overs as part of a shortened fixture.

Coetzer led the way with 126 runs, established in T20 fashion as he only faced 50 deliveries, smashing 12 sixes and 10 fours at an astronomical rate of 252. Botha also scored at a rate of more than 100, accumulating 85 runs from 74 deliveries. The pair’s massive 192-run partnership for the first wicket paved the way for a comfortable victory.

The bleeding didn’t stop after Coetzer had departed, with Kotze, batting at three, also in a destructive mood. He continued the trend of scoring at a rapid pace, hitting eight fours and six sixes before Johan Duvenhage ran him out. His innings lasted only 39 balls.

Duvenhage would emerge as the Liggies’ top scorer on the day. He opened their innings and batted patiently for 43, off 72 balls, against the economical bowling from the home side.

Caiden Seleka, younger brother of the North West Dragons’ leg spinner, Caleb Seleka, did most of the damage with the ball, picking up three wickets. Unfortunately, Duvenhage’s only support came from Luan Snyman, who contributed a quickfire 39. The Liggies were eventually all dismissed for only 150, suffering a big defeat at the hands of the front-runners.

In Rustenburg, two of the other big names in North West faced off. Eduard Dreyer scored a marvellous century at the top of the order to pave the way for a 139-run victory for Wesvalia over Hoërskool Rustenburg. Dreyer made 116 at just more than a run a ball and with Luken Maritz (60), batting at three, made the most of their time in the middle for an important 125-run partnership that laid the foundation for a total of 292 before the last wicket fell in the 50th over.

Thian Labuschagne was impressive for the hosts, boasting 3/36 in his allotted 10 overs, but he couldn’t quite replicate his form with the bat. The Wessies bowled to their strengths and picked up wickets at regular intervals. Janré Greyling was the most impressive with figures of 3/17 in seven overs, while Dreyer backed up his batting with 2/15.

Unfortunately for the Rusties, only Tristan van der Linde had answers to the visitors’ questions. He was eventually dismissed for 69 (77b), and with that, the home side’s hopes were dashed as no other batter managed to pass the 30-run mark. Rustenburg were dismissed for 153 in the 36th over, which was disappointing considering the batting talent in their ranks.

Summarised scorecards: 

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 348/5 (Cristivan Coetzer 126, Ulrich Botha 85, Lukas Kotze 85, Caiden Seleka 37; Oratile Masa 2/62); Hoërskool Lichtenburg 150 (Johan Duvenhage 43, Luan Snyman 29; Caiden Seleka 3/45, Damian Kruger 2/17, Henré Cronje 2/19, Bennet Keet 2/31). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by 199 runs. 

Wesvalia 292 (Eduard Dreyer 116, Luken Maritz 60, Extras 28, Ziandré Stopforth 24, Jordan Lategan 21; Thian Labuschagne 3/36, Hendré Robinson 2/9, Manfred Wenhold 2/39, Marnus de Witt 2/68); Hoërskool Rustenburg 153 (Tristan van der Linde 69, Henlo van Rooyen 24, Extras 22; Janré Greyling 3/17, Eduard Dreyer 2/15). Wesvalia won by 139 runs. 

Hoewel die Titans se Platinum Liga einde se kant toe staan, het dit Maandagaand nog ‘n laaste leksel drama opgelewer.

Lees en herleef al die Titans Liga-aksie net hier op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Hoërskool Eldoraigne het ‘n taai tydperk van vier wedstryde in nét sewe dae met ‘n dramatiese gelykopuitslag oor Die Hoërskool Menlopark in die Ooste van Pretoria afgesluit.

Vanweë die eendeweer in die hoofstad, moes die wedstryd in die tweede kolfbeurt na 35 beurte aangepas word. Die Eldos kon wel hul toegelate 50 beurte voltooi, waarin hulle uiteindelik 219/9 aangeteken het.

Die Parkies se teiken is hierna hersien en het in dié 35 beurte, volgens die Duckworth-Lewis and Stern metode 183 lopies benodig om die wedstryd te beklink. Dié kon egter toe net 182 bymekaarskraap wat beteken het dfat die spanne moes bladskud met ‘n gelykopuitslag.

Die Parkies se snelbouler, Tiaan Serfontein, het beslis sy beste spelpeil herwin om vir ‘n tweede agteervolgende keer vier paaltjies te laat spat vir slegs 43 lopies in sy toegelate 10 beurte. Jordan van Eck (3/41) het oudergewoonte ook gewoeker met die bal en goeie bystand van James Brokhorst (2/38) ontvang. Dit is bemoedigend vir die Parkies op die vooraand van ‘n strawwe Wildeklawer T20 toernooi.

Eldos se kaptein, Marinus Langerman, het van voor gelei en was nie alleen sy span se voorslagkolwer nie, maar het hom ook ‘n uitstekend van sy taak agter die paaltjies gekwyt. Dit was juis hy wat met vernuftige paaltjiewagterskap verseker het dat die Parkies se laaste kolwer met die laaste bal uitgehardloop word.

Met die kolf het Langerman ‘n geduldige 67 lopies aangeteken, wat, tesame met Ruan Steyn se 46, gesorg het vir ‘n deurslaggewende 81-lopie vennootskap.

Die Parkie-kaptein, Dian van Zyl het op self ‘n kapteinsbeurt gespeel wat so hittete die wa deur die drif getrek het vir die tuisspan. Hy het, in moeilike toestande, geduldig gekolf aan ‘n uitstaande 83 lopies, voordat hy deur Ryno Mulder uitgehardloop is.

Hoewel ‘n keerpunt, was die stryd steeds nie gewonne nie. Matt van der Westhuizen en Morné Koekemoer se bydraes van 34 lopies elk, het die besoekers verder laat sweet.

Rowan McLaren, Eldos se aanvangsbouler, het sy kanse aangegryp om twee paaltjies op te pik en het ook hand opgesteek het om die laaste beurt, onder geweldige druk, te boul. McLaren het aan die einde van sy sewe beurte met syfers van 2/31 gespog. Benyael Morkel (2/35) het goeie bystand verleen in ‘n wedstryd waaroor die Eldos nog lank sal gesels.

Beknopte telkaart: 

Eldoraigne 219/9 (Marinus Langerman 67, Ruan Steyn 46, Kyle de Bruin 29, Vince Lotz 26; Tiaan Serfontein 4/43, Jordan van Eck 3/41, James Bronhorst 2/38); Menlopark (35) 182/7 (Dian van Zyl 83, Matt van der Westhuizen 34, Morné Koekemoer 34; Rowan McLaren 2/31, Benyael Morkel 2/35). Eldoraigne wen met een lopie. 

Christiaan Gouws sal in 2026 die nuwe baasbrein agter Hoërskool Middelburg se rugby wees.

Die Middies het Maandag, 29 September, Gouws se aanstelling bekendgemaak as die nuwe rugbydirekteur by een van Mpumalanga se suksesvolste rugbyskole oor die afgelope paar jaar.

“Ek dink die skool se beheerraad en bestuur het ‘n duidelike visie en dis lekker om die geleentheid te kry om saam met dit te groei,” het Gouws aan SuperSort Schools Plus gesê.

“Ons het ‘n vyfjaarplan in plek om nie alleen die skool se rugby na die volgende vlak te neem nie, maar ook om elke seun wat deur ons hande gaan te ontwikkel vir wat die lewe daar buite partykeer na ‘n mens se kant toe gooi.

“Ek en my gesin is baie opgewonde om by Hoërskool Middelburg betrokke te raak. Ek ken vir JJ Hennop (hoof) en Coene Nolte al ‘n geruime tyd en hul menswees het ‘n groot rol in my besluit gespeel om die pos te aanvaar. Ons sien ook uit daarna om ons kinders in ‘n meer plattelandse omgewing groot te maak, aangesien ek en my vrou albei van die platteland af kom.”

Gouws was in Bethlehem op laerskool waarna hy sy hoërskoolloopbaan aan die gesogte Grey Kollege in Bloemfontein voltooi het. Hy het in 2012 sy eerste geleentheid as eerstespan-afrigter gekry toe hy by Ligbron Akademie in Ermelo betrokke geraak het, terwyl hy nog voltyds in die landbou werksaam was. In sy laaste jaar by die Liggies (2016) het hulle die Mpumalanga Grootskole-liga gewen.

In 2017 het Gouws by Bethlehem Voortrekker aangesluit as rugbydirekteur, waar hy tot in 2020 diens verrig het. Hy het elke jaar die eerste span gebrei, wat dikwels die Wegrow-liga gewen het. Tydens die Covid-19-pandemie se grendeltydperk het hy weer teruggeval op die landbou en ook vir ‘n ruk uitgehelp by Hoër Landbou Skool Marlow, wat in sy streek van werk geval het.

Daarna het Gouws sy weg na die Moot gevind, waar hy in 2022 as sporthoof en eerstespan-afrigter diep spore in Hoërskool Oos-Moot se rugbygeskiedenis getrap het. Die Oosies het dieselfde jaar in die Skild-afdeling van die destydse Virsekerbeker koning gekraai. Hy het terselftertyd afgerig by die Grizzlies, wat aan die Carlton-klubliga in Pretoria deelneem.

In 2023 het ‘n kort termyn as werwer by Noordheuwel gevolg, waarna Gouws die aandag van Helpmekaar Kollege in Johannesburg getrek het. Dit is waar hy tot onlangs betrokke was. In 2024 het hy deel gevorm van die eerste span se breinstrust en vanjaar sy insette by die juniors gedeel. Gouws het ook die geleentheid ontvang om by die Goue Leeus se o.16-groepe af te rig.

Dit ly geen twyfel dat die Middies in Gouws iemand met ervaring en dryf bekom het om ‘n uiters belangrike pos te vul nie. Boonop kan sy netwerk met verskeie senior-provinsiale en universiteitsafrigters ook ‘n rol speel in die loopbane van die jong manne by die Middies.

“Ek gaan nie om eenvoudig oor te vat by MHS nie,” het Gouws bygevoeg. “Ons sal in die nabye toekoms sit en besluit presies wie waar die beste inpas.”

Gouws het dit duidelik gemaak dat hy merendeels ‘n oorkoepelende rol sal vervul by die Middies en insette lewer waar nodig. Sy uiteindelike doelwit is om elke afrigter die nodige skietgoed te gee sodat die groenes van Middelburg in die Beker-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup kan bly.

Honderdtalle was aan die orde van die dag in Hoërskool Middelburg en Hoërskool Nelspruit se oortuigende seges Saterdag in die Mpumalanga Premierliga.

Lees en herleef al die Mpumalanga Premierliga-aksie net hier op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Herman Potgieter het die hoofrol in die Middies se reuse totaal van 373 en uiteindelike sege met 224 lopies oor Hoërskool Secunda gespeel, en is deur Eduan Strydom (65) en Zubair Desai (59) bygestaan.

Potgieter het in slegs 102 aflewerings 124 lopies aangeteken. Hy was ongelooflik gedissiplineerd en het selde die bal in die lug geslaan, gevolglik was ál 14 sy grenshoue viere gewees.

Strydom en Gavin Genis, wat 45 lopies aangeteken het, het albei teen ‘n blitsige tempo gekolf, met Genis wat slegs 16 balle benodig het vir sy bydrae. Sy blitzkrieg het vyf viere en twee sesse ingesluit, terwyl Strydom 34 balle benodig vir sy 65, en ses viere en vier sesse gemoker het.

Strydom het met die omdraaislag selfs verder uitgeblink. Hy het 9.5 beurte afgestuur met die bal, waarin hy vier paaltjies vir net 43 lopies laat kantel het. Potgieter (2/13) het ook sy sukses voortgesit met die bal, terwyl Middies se blitsige aanvangsbouler, Hendré Nel (2/43) hand bygesit het.

Nathan Erasmus was Secunda se beste kolwer op die dag met 44 lopies. Ongelukkig het hy slegs ondersteuning van Nijan Swart (28) en ‘n paar ander kolwers ontvang, voordat die span van Secunda uiteindelik vir 149 uitgeboender is.

Hoërskool Nelspruit het die bordjies behoorlik verhang met ‘n sege van nege paaltjies oor Hoërskool Hoogenhout. Gerdu van Eeden het ‘n gesamentlike boulaanslag met syfers van 3/39 gelei, terwyl John Duncan (2/4) en Samual Day (2/28) verder gesorg dat slegs Wyatt Johnson (57) en kaptein, Pieter Viljoen (31), enige noemenswaardige bydraes kon maak. Hoogenhout het uiteindelik nét 138 bereik.

Die Nellies se aanvangskolwer, Waldemar Graham, het die jaagtog van 139 verspotmaklik laat lyk. Nie alleen was sy 102 lopies onoorwonne nie, maar dit het ook sowat 73% van sy span se totaal (140) uitgemaak. Sy beurt was boonop blitsig en het net 77 balle geduur, waartydens hy 14 viere en vyf sesse geslaan het teen ‘n treftempo van 132.5 om sy span in die 24ste beurt oor die wenstreep te kry.

Beknopte telkaarte

Hoërskool Middelburg 373/6 (Herman Potgieter 124, Eduan Strydom 65, Zubair Desai 59, Gavin Genis 45, Ekstras 26, Christian Jansen 21, Lohan Botha 21; Jayden Scholtz 1/63); Hoërskool Secunda 149 (Nathan Erasmus 44, Nijan Swart 28, Andries Coetzer 22, Walt Vorster 20, Extras 20; Eduan Strydom 4/43, Herman Potgieter 2/13, Hendré Nel 2/43). Hoërskool Middelburg wen met 224 lopies. 

Hoërskool Hoogenhout 138 (Wyatt Johnson 57, Pieter Viljoen 31; Gerdu van Eeden 3/39, John Duncan 2/4, Samual Day 2/28); Hoërskool Nelspruit 140/1 (Waldemar Graham 102*; Wyatt Johnson 1/26). Hoërskool Neslrpuit wen met nege paaltjies. 

Paul Roos Gimnasium experienced a challenging weekend tour of Pretoria from 26 to 28 September, with their abilities being put to the test in conditions different from those they are accustomed to back home.

Read and relive all the 2025 School Cricket action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Head coach and director of cricket at the Stellenbosch powerhouse, Deon Botes, however, had a plan for the tour, a method behind the madness, as it were.

The trip up north would ultimately be used to build depth and experience for the years to come. No matrics were chosen for the tour, with the side including six u15 players and three u16 and u17 players respectively, all of whom experienced invaluable learnings over the three days.

First up, on Friday 26 September, Paul Roos faced their toughest challenge of the trip, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool. Affies are currently the flagship cricket side in Pretoria, leading one of the toughest leagues at schoolboy level, the Titans Platinum League, and are poised to become the first new champion of this league in five years.

Their extremely talented youngster, Christian Linde, decided to shine bright on the day once again. Having been sent in to bat by the visitors and following a 63-run opening stand by Dylan Stander (42) and JP Botha (41), Linde had a strong foundation from which he could launch an all-out attack.

As is his custom, anything loose was dispatched to the boundary for nine fours and a six. That, however, brought only 42 of his runs, which illustrates his efficient running between the wickets. This enabled him to still score at more than a run a ball, with his innings ending on 104 from only 91 deliveries.

Paul Roos’ opening bowler, Dion Slabber, who emerged as one of the top performers over the weekend, stood out with the ball, snapping up 2/52 in his quota of 10 overs.

In terms of Paul Roos’ batting, though, there wasn’t much to write home about, except for Nathan van den Berg. Van den Berg played a patient innings of 51, facing 64 balls. Unfortunately, he was the only Paul Roos batsman to surpass the 20-run mark, as Affies closed out a sizeable 193-run victory.

The following day, St Alban’s College and the TC Mitchell lay in wait. It was another tough outing for the bowling unit from Stellenbosch, with the day belonging to St Alban’s Liam Bash. Bash bossed with willow, smashing 15 fours and six sixes for a mammoth contribution of 143 runs. Kyle Block (64) and Tiashin Naidoo (59) both chipped in with half-centuries.

Dion Slabber (2/68) was impressive again in his 10 overs. The only other bowler to get two wickets was Benn Coetzee, the pick of the bowlers on the day. He too bowled his 10 allotted overs, taking 2/54.

Bash then continued where he had left off with the bat, picking up two wickets for only 19 runs. Kyle Earle‘s contribution of 3/29 proved decisive as St Alban’s bagged a victory by 129 runs.

On Sunday, 28 September, the visitors produced their best performance of the three days at the Hofmeyr Oval, the home of Pretoria Boys High, with Slabber and Coetzee at the top of their game.

Slabber, again bowling with the new nut, snapped up 4/26, taking his tally for the weekend to eight wickets. Coetzee also sent four batsmen back to the pavilion, costing only 32 runs in his nine overs. Thus, Boys High could only manage a total of 162, with Dylan Kruger, as their main contributor, working hard for his 40 runs.

The home side’s bowling was tight, too, and led by stalwart Justin Basdeo (3/25) and Ruan Coetzee (2/29), all their bowlers operated at an economy rate of four or less. That meant that Paul Roos could only manage 144/9, thereby suffering a third consecutive defeat, this time by 18 runs.

Summarised scorecards

Friday – 26 September 

Affies 312/7 (Christian Linde 104, Dylan Stander 42, JP Botha 41, Vihan Pretorius 33, Zian Labuschagne 31, Extras 30, AJ Morkel 28; Dion Slabber 2/52); Paul Roos Gimnasium 119 (Nathan van den Berg 51; Nico Loggenberg 3/15, Zian Labuschagne 3/29, Armin Snyman 2/10). Affies won by 193 runs. 

Saturday – 27 September 

St Alban’s College 317/6 (Liam Basch 143, Kyle Block 64, Tiashin Naidoo 59; Benn Coetzee 2/54, Dion Slabber 2/68); Paul Roos Gimnasium 188 (Marcus Conradie 37, Morné Pauw 32, Nathan van den Berg 23, Ben Coetzee 21*, Tian van Niekerk 21; Kyle Earle 3/29, Liam Basch 2/19, Luke Ward 2/50). St Alban’s College won by 129 runs. 

Sunday – 28 September 

Pretoria Boys High 162 (Dylan Kruger 40, Louis Kruyshaar 35, Justin Basdeo 22*, Extras 20; Dion Slabber 4/26, Benn Coetzee 4/32); Paul Roos Gimnasium 144/9 (45) (Nathan van den Berg 35, Enré van Zyl 33*; Justin Basdeo 3/25, Ruan Coetzee 2/29). Pretoria Boys High won by 18 runs. 

Three centuries and two half-centuries saw Hoërskool Pietersburg highlight the Limpopo Super League on Saturday with a mammoth 534 in just 50 overs.

Read and relive all the Limpopo Super League action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Skipper Dian Gouws led the way at the top of the order with 110 runs coming from just 78 deliveries. His innings included 12 fours and seven sixes.

Stephan Swanepoel (50) and Celliers van der Merwe continued the destructive nature of the innings. Van der Merwe, especially, upped the ante with his 88 runs off only 35 balls, striking at a rate of 251,4.

The 500-moment, however, was courtesy of middle-order batters, AJ Galloway and Willem Viljoen. The pair became the second and third batsmen to reach a century each. Galloway smashed 11 fours and seven sixes for an unbeaten 103, while Viljoen bashed 13 fours and four sixes to accumulate 104 unbeaten runs.

To rub further salt into the Nkowankowa wounds, Viljoen went on to cause carnage with the ball, too. In six overs, he only conceded eight runs while snapping up four wickets to go with his earlier century. Apart from Kingsley Maake, who made 86 runs, there wasn’t any other resistance from the visitors, who managed a meagre 118 before the last wicket fell, handing the Pieties a massive 416-run victory.

Merensky Landbou Akademie‘s opening batsman, Logan Janse van Rensburg, and bowler Ian Meyer were equally impressive. The Plasies bagged an important bonus-point victory of 246 runs over Hoërskool Louis Trichardt.

Janse van Rensburg patiently scored an unbeaten 194 runs off 128 deliveries, while Rinaldo Bornman chipped in with a well-played 70 to help the Plasies to 321/7 in the allotted 50 overs. Meyer then answered the call with his second fiver in as many games, conceding only 22 runs in the five overs he bowled. This restricted the Triegies to only 75 runs.

Mohodi Hub surprised Hoërskool Ben Vorster, narrowly beating them by three wickets. Mahlodi Sekuba (4/20) and Ofentswe Mudzwungu (4/51) were exceptional with the ball, restricting the Black Caps to only 184. Masilo Moremi laid the batting foundation with 40 at the top of the order, while Randy Mosefowa‘s unbeaten 40 runs got the side from outside Polokwane over the line.

Hoërskool Piet Potgieter maintained their unbeaten streak, dismissing Phalaborwa Hub for 78 after a difficult batting performance. Piet Pot only managed 178 runs, with Rayaan Malji top-scoring with 38. He was among the wickets too, snapping up 3/15, while Frederik Botes was the most impressive with three, too, but conceding only four runs.

Summarised scorecards

Hoërskool Pietersburg 534/5 (Dian Gouws 110, Willem Viljoen 104*, AJ Galloway 103*, Celliers van der Merwe 88, Stephan Swanepoel 50, Extras 40, Jan-Hendrik Boneschans 35; Ndzalama Mabunda 2/71); Nkowankowa Hub 118 (Kinsgley Maake 86, Extras 26; Willem Viljoen 4/8, Stephan Swanepoel 2/25, Celliers van der Merwe 2/26, Hardus Schoeman 2/31). Hoërskool Pietersburg won by 416 runs. 

Merensky Landbou Akademie 321/7 (Logan Janse van Rensburg 104*, Rinaldo Bornman 70, Extras 45, Luka Heinlein 33; Francois Nel 3/62); Hoërskool Louis Trichardt 75 (Extras 25; Ian Meyer 5/22, Luka Heinlein 2/11). Merensky Landbou Akademie won by 246 runs.

Ben Vorster 184 (Extras 48, Dumisani Manyama 41*, Sontag Ramarsoma 27, Stiaan du Randt 26; Mahlodi Sekuba 4/20, Ofentswe Mudzwungu 4/51); Mohodi Hub 188/7 (Masilo Morema 40, Randy Mosefowa 40*, Junior Maruapula 31, Thato Masasane 27*; Rivoningo Chauke 3/35, Talent Ndlovu 2/35). Mohodi Hub won by three wickets. 

Hoërskool Piet Potgieter 178 (Rayaan Malji 38, Extras 32, Hamza Vahora 25; Lesley Zimba 4/44, Mandla Mashaba 3/16); Phalaborwa Hub 78 (Extras 21; Frederik Botes 3/4, Rayaan Malji 3/15, Ruben Oosthuizen 2/37). Hoërskool Piet Potgieter won by 100 runs. 

One needed a moment to catch your breath following another explicit round of batting over the last scheduled weekend of the Titans Platinum League.

Read and relive all the Titans Platinum League action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Hoërskool Waterkloof‘s Wian du Plessis and Keagan van Wyk of Cornwall Hill College led the charge, scoring the two centuries on the day.  To add to their respective tons, another seven half-centuries were achieved across the four matches that took place on Saturday, 27 September.

Du Plessis, with his Nelson (111) against Die Hoërskool Menlopark, played a leading role as the Klofies won comfortably by 122 runs at Menlopark. The opening batsman wasted no time, scoring at a healthy pace throughout his innings.

When he was finally dismissed by Tiaan Serfontein (4/66), who emerged as the Parkies’ best bowler, Du Plessis had only used 112 deliveries for his contribution. His innings included 11 fours and two sixes, only 56 runs of his total, which illustrates how effective his running between the wickets was.

Captain Riley Miller provided the supporting role, notching yet another half-century using 58 balls for his 57. Darius Maritz contributed a valuable cameo of 36 not out towards the end to take Waterkloof to a total of 317/9 in the allotted 50 overs. Morné Koekemoer (51) and Matt van der Westhuizen (41) were the only batsmen from the Parkies making noteworthy contributions.

After Maritz, following his heroics with the bat, had put in the hard yards upfront (2/27), Jaydon Blom did the clean-up work with the ball. His 3/16 in six overs delivered the knockout blow as the Parkies were dismissed for only 194.

At the Hofmeyr Oval, the home of Pretoria Boys High School, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool kept their unbeaten record alive. Vihan Pretorius had a big say in the seven-wicket victory. Firstly, he was the main contributor with the ball snapping up 3/34 to ensure that only Justin Basdeo (60) could make any sort of an inroad with the bat.

Pretorius was supported by JP Botha (2/14) and Schalk Coetzee (2/20), bowling Boys High out for a mere 152. Pretorius then led the way with the bat, too, scoring an unbeaten 61 in the chase. The inform Christian Linde was also among the runs again, contributing 36 towards the winning cause.

Reuben van Zyl of Hoërskool Garsfontein again exhibited his batting prowess, this time against Hoërskool Eldoraigne. Van Zyl is making a strong push to be included in this year’s Titans Khaya Majola side, boasting three centuries alongside the 91 runs he made on Saturday.

His opening partner, Wikus du Preez, also put the Eldos to the sword with 68. The pair combined for a massive 164-run partnership for the first wicket, laying the foundation for the 309-run total before the last wicket fell. Rowan McLaren (3/39), Matthew Sampson (3/44) and Ryno Mulder (3/45) delivered a valiant bowling effort for Eldos.

The batters, however, couldn’t replicate the bowling quality, with only Marinus Langerman (33) and Jean du Randt (31) making it past the 30 mark. The Eldos were eventually dismissed for 194 in the 41st over. Jared Carr did the bulk of the damage, boasting a return of 4/22 in 4.5 overs.

Van Wyk top-scored in Cornwall Hill’s massive 190-run victory over Prestige College at Hammanskraal, scoring 118 of just 96 balls. Opening the batting, he struck 12 fours and three sixes and, alongside Zander Davel‘s 72, laid the foundation for their side to reach 303/7.

Neoentle Makwela followed that up with a match-winning bowling performance. In the 8.3 overs he fired off, he snapped up four wickets, costing only 30 runs, while Rourke de Lange shrugged off his disappointment with the bat to take three wickets for just 17 runs as Prestige were bundled out for a Nelson.

Summarised scorecards

Waterkloof 317/9 (Wian du Plessis 111, Riley Miller 57, Darius Maritz 36, Rico van der Walt 24, Johan Feuth 22; Tiaan Serfontein 4/66, Jan-Willem Pienaar 2/50); Menlopark 195 (Morné Koekemoer 51, Matt van der Westhuizen 41, James Bronkhorst 22; Jaydon Blom 3/16, Darius Maritz 2/27). Waterkloof won by 122 runs. 

Pretoria Boys High School 152 (Justin Basdeo 60, Timothy Gordon 28, Joseph van Dijk 26; Vihan Pretorius 3/34, JP Botha 2/14, Schalk Coetzee 2/20); Affies 153/3 (Vihan Pretorius 61*, Christian Linde 36, Extras 28, JP Botha 21; Justin Basteo 1/16). Affies won by seven wickets. 

Garsfontein 309 (Reuben van Zyl 91, Wikus du Preez 68, Xander Venter 48, Riaan Boshoff 43; Rowan McLaren 3/39, Matthew Sampson 3/44, Ryno Mulder 3/45); Eldoraigne 194 (Marinus Langerman 33, Jean du Randt 31, Rowan McLaren 27, Ruan Steyn 26, Extras 21). Garsfontein won by 115 runs. 

Cornwall Hill College 303/7 (Keagan van Wyk 118, Zander Davel 72, Ab Rasool 26, Aden Maredi 25, Layton Pullen 24; Nongani Sithole 3/50, Gift Motlhasedi 2/75); Prestige College 111 (Keamogetswe Semenya 38, Ophile Maredi 22, Lesedi Mabena 21; Neoentle Makwela 4/30, Rourke de Lange 3/17). Cornwall Hill College won by 190 runs. 

 

The winning runs might have come off the bat of Henré Cronje, yet it was the bowling effort, in which he too played a crucial part, that led to Potchefstroom Gimnasium being crowned the new champions of the North West Schools SA20.

Read and relive all the North West Schools SA20 action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

The Gimmies comfortably disposed of Hoërskool Rustenburg by eight wickets in the final at home on the Gimmie Oval.

The comprehensive victory, with the Rusties dismissed for a meagre 84 runs, saw the bowling hero from the previous match, Damian Kruger, working his magic with the ball again. Kruger claimed another four wickets, this time conceding only 15 runs in his allotted four overs, to take his tally to eight wickets across both matches on the day, having conceded a combined total of just 39 runs.

Cronjé (3/20) contributed smartly with three wickets, whilst Bennet Keet (2/9), another standout from the clash with the Volkies, again got in on the act.

The Rusties’ opening batsman Thian Labuschagne was the only player to make any noteworthy contribution. With the ball (1/24), he was also the sole wicket-taker, dismissing the in-form Christivan Coetzer with the first delivery he faced. Labuschagne scored 45 runs, more than half his side’s final total.

It was the collapse of eight wickets for a mere 33 runs that ended Rustenberg’s title defence. Cronjé then continued his memorable outing, top-scoring with an unbeaten 37 runs, supported by Ulrich Botha (25*) and Lukas Kotze (23), to secure Gimmies’ first piece of cricketing silverware for the year.

Summarised scorecard

Hoërskool Rustenburg 84 (Thian Labuschagne 45; Damian Kruger 4/15, Henré Cronje 3/20, Bennet Keet 2/9); Potchefstroom Gimnasium 87/2 (Henré Cronje 37*, Ulrich Botha 25*, Lukas Kotze 23; Thian Labuschagne 1/24). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by eight wickets. 

 

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 174/8 (Christivan Coetzer 87, Lukas Kotze 52; Andries Venter 4/18, Handré de Beer 2/33); Potchefstroom Volkskool 117 (AW van der Merwe 26; Damian Kruger 4/24, Bennet Keet 3/13). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by 57 runs. 

The braaivleis fires would’ve been lit in the vicinity of Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool on Wednesday, 24 September, following Affies’ victory over Hoërskool Garsfontein, which now puts them in an excellent position to win this year’s Titans Platinum League.

Read and relive all the Titans Platinum League action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Affies’ eight-wicket victory over Garsies has taken them to second on the log with 23 league points, one behind Hoërskool Waterkloof (24).

Affies, however, still have two league matches in hand, while the Klofies only have one left in which to generate maximum points to keep their chances alive. That won’t be easy, as the defending champions are facing Hoërskool Menlopark, against whom they lost in the Finsbury Series earlier this year.

Playing at Hoërskool Garsfontein, Garsies won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to put scoreboard pressure on the visitors. Affies’ opening bowler, Zian Labuschagne, had other plans, though, and, in the space of 10 overs, he and fellow opening bowler, Vihan Pretorius (1/35), managed to dismantle the Ysbere’s top order for only 45 runs.

Labuschagne was the main destroyer, snapping up five of the six wickets, while conceding only 26 runs in the six overs he bowled. Nico Loggenberg came in second best with figures of 2/25 in the 4.4 over he bowled. Only Echard Struwig seemed to have any answers to the continuous questions asked by the visiting bowlers. Thanks to his tenacious knock of 41 runs, the hosts at least managed a total of 121 before Adriaan Nel orchestrated Struwig’s run out.

The chase didn’t bother the Affies batters at all, as Dylan Stander and the in-form Christian Linde went about business as usual. Stander stood out with his quick-fire 67 off 51 deliveries, including 11 fours and a six, while Linde contributed 36 not out to help his side to a comfortable win.

In Centurion, Hoërskool Eldoraigne caused somewhat of an upset, seeing off the in-form Pretoria Boys High School by 21 runs. Jean du Randt (58) and Benyael Morkel (55) both scored important half-centuries, while Ruan Steyn’s 27 runs helped to get the Eldos to a defendable total of 216. Justin Luke Basdeo (3/38) and Joseph van Dijk (3/40) were Boys High’s most impressive bowlers.

The Eldo’s bowling attack, however, really delivered in their home conditions. Cornell Cousins led the way with an impressive return of 4/28, while Matthew Sampson (3/48) and Rowan McLaren (2/29) chipped in to ensure that the wickets were shared between the home side’s three frontline bowlers. Ethan Nel fought valiantly with 50 on the dot, but could not quite get the visitors over the line without sufficient support from his colleagues.

Waterkloof’s batters put the disappointment of the Affie loss behind them, with Riley Miller playing a captain’s knock of 90, from only 68 balls, smashing seven sixes and four fours, as the defending champions triumphed with 165 runs over Cornwall Hill College.

Ricardo Crous also exhibited top form before he was dismissed for a well-played 61. Rico van der Walt added 48, two short of a deserved half-century, as the batting trio combined in two separate partnerships to guide Kloof to 319/8 in the allotted 50 overs.

Rivan Booysen then worked his magic with the ball. The left-arm tied the Cornwall batters in knots, completing his quota of 10 overs with five wickets for only 25 runs. Crous continued his successful day with figures of 2/26, alongside Jaco van der Walt‘s 2/31, which restricted Cornwill to 154.

The ever-impressive Rourke de Lange raised his hand, though. He and opening partner, Keagan van Wyk (38), stood firm at the start with a partnership of 70 runs. De Lange was eventually dismissed by Van der Walt for 52, which putt an end to Cornwall’s hopes.

Summarised scorecards: 

Garsfontein 121 (Echard Struwig 41, Extras 20; Zian Labuschagne 5/26, Nico Loggenberg 2/25); Affies 122/2 (Dylan Stander 67, Christian Linde 36*; Xander Venter 1/30). Affies won by eight wickets. 

Eldoraigne 216 (Jean du Randt 58, Benyael Morkel 55, Ruan Steyn 27; Justin Luke Basdeo 3/38, Joseph van Dijk 3/40); Pretoria Boys High School 195 (Ethan Nel 50, Dylan Kruger 37, Extras 26, Louis Kruyshaar 25, Tinashe Mbingo 21; Cornell Cousins 4/28, Matthew Sampson 3/48, Rowan McLaren 2/29). Eldoraigne won by 21 runs. 

Waterkloof 319/8 (Riley Miller 90, Ricardo Crous 61, Rico van der Walt 48, Extras 29, AJ de Villiers 27, Jaydon Blom 23; Obakeng Mokonyane 3/51, Oliver Richards 3/55). Cornwall Hill College 154 (Rourke de Lange 52, Keagan van Wyk 38, Extras 23; Rivan Booysen 5/25, Ricardo Crous 2/26, Jaco van der Walt 2/31). Waterkloof won by 165 runs.