Author: froberholzer

Tzaneen will again be treated to a thrilling local derby with the annual meeting between Merensky Landbou Akademie and Hoërskool Ben Vorster set to light up the Limpopo Super League on Saturday.

Read and follow all the Limpopo Super League action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

In recent years, the Plasies have dominated the fixture and have also been the stronger team in the overall league, having won it back in 2022.

Since then, the title has been shared between two other sides. Mohodi Boys Hub made history in 2023, becoming the first Hub side ever to claim a major league trophy at school level. In 2024, the title went to Hoërskool Pieterburg, who was also responsible for the Plasies’ most recent loss, consigning them to a six-run defeat in Polokwane last week.

In Tzaneen, Ben Vorster, nicknamed the Black Caps, completed a five-wicket victory over Phalaborwa Hub.

The team from Merensky recently bid farewell to director of cricket and head coach Stebian van der Walt, who joined Hoërskool Strand in the Western Cape as their new head of cricket. Steven Steyn has taken over the role as head coach of the Plasies.

“Despite the recent departure of Mr. van der Walt, I believe the players have adapted exceptionally well to their new environment,” Steyn said.

“The group recognises the value and depth of talent at their disposal, which is reflected in their dedication and work ethic. The senior players in the team complement the rest superbly and demonstrate a clear desire to create a lasting impression during their final year.

“We look forward to the upcoming challenge against a strong Ben Vorster side, and the players are brimming with confidence in their ability to meet this challenge. We know what Ben Vorster brings to the field, but our focus remains on our own game plan, maximising our strengths and applying pressure in every conceivable area of the match.”

Senior players like left-arm turner Timothy Baker and captain Luka Heinlein have certainly stepped up since Van der Walt’s departure. Baker, especially, has been a huge asset. The spin bowler currently leads the bowling charts in the league, along with Rayaan Malji from Hoërskool Piet Potgieter, and might well end up as the leading wicket-taker for the second consecutive year.

For the Black Caps, all-rounder Rivoningo Chauke has been a breath of fresh air. It is especially in the bowling department where he feels the most at home. Kuhlani Mnisi has shone with the bat, leading the charts in this department, while the Vossies also have captain Njabulo Maseko at their disposal, both with bat and ball.

In Polokwane, Hoërskool Pietersburg face league leaders, Hoërskool Piet Potgieter. The defending champions have only played one match, while Piet Pot has been in action three times. It promises to be a clash of epic proportions, with both sides boasting experience and class, and the ability to turn a match on its head in the blink of an eye.

Piet Pot’s Muaaz Mohammad has been in scintillating form, and the Pieties’ coach, Corné Craig, will hope that his bowlers have shaken off the last bit of rustiness. There were some good signs, though, as Stephan Swanepoel, last year’s Limpopo Impala Junior Provincial Player of the Year, found himself among the runs and the wickets against the Plasies last weekend.

He will, however, have to deal with Malji, who, like previously mentioned, is the combined leading wicket-taker alongside Baker. These two know each other well, having played provincial and senior club cricket against each other in the past.

Hoërskool Louis Trichard welcomes Nkowankowa Hub. Both teams are still searching for their first victory in this year’s league, with the Triegies also being a newcomer. Phalaborwa Hub faces Mohodi Hub in what traditionally produces some fireworks as both proud hubs battle it out for bragging rights over the other.

The all-around flair of Eduan Stydom, a familiar face in the First XI of Hoërskool Middelburg, steered the defending champions of the Mpumalanga Schools SA20 off to a flying start.

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

Strydom started by setting the tone with the bat at the top of the order, which would ultimately result in a man-of-the-match performance in the 75-run victory over Hoërskool Hoogenhout.

Opening the batting, after Middies had won the toss away from home, the Middies all-rounder got his side off to a quick start after the early loss of his partner, Daryl Chirumetsikwa (1). Needing only 33 deliveries, he smashed six fours for a lightning 38 that got the other batters going.

Another flurry of quick wickets, including Strydom’s, by Logan Schutte (2/26, also the first to strike) and Wihan Fourie (1/33), shifted the momentum again in a short space of time. Experience eventually prevailed as Hendré Nel strolled to the crease. He and Wijnand Millard, a name that we will hear a lot more of, combined for an important partnership.

Millar took the lead, scoring at more than a 200 strike rate for his 58 from just 27 balls. Nel, not far behind, struck it crisply, too, ending the innings unbeaten on 45 runs coming from only 29 balls. More importantly, the partnership of 86 runs established a handsome total of 196/6 for the visitors in the allotted 20 overs.

Strydom’s day, however, hadn’t finished yet. He still had some work left with the ball, work which he finished with aplomb. In only 2.3 overs, he landed the knockout punch with which to dash Hoogenhout’s hopes. Conceding only four runs, he snapped up four wickets on the back of some hard work by Frederik Boshoff, as the pair worked well in tandem.

Boshoff, picking up four wickets of his own, including that of both opening batsmen, Johan Viljoen (23) and Wyatt Johnson (46), was rewarded handsomely for his efforts, too. The wicket of Viljoen, especially, was treasured, seeing that he had hammered Hoërskool Nelspruit with a superb innings of 157 not out just a couple of days prior.

Eight wickets for only 23 runs was, eventually, just too much damage to recover from as Hoogenhout slumped to only 121 at home, 76 runs short of toppling the defending champions.

Summarised scorecard: 

Hoërskool Middelburg 196/6 (Wijnan Millard 58, Hendré Nel 45*, Eduan Strydom 38, Extras 25, Herman Potgieter; Logan Schutte 2/25); Hoërskool Hoogenhout 121 (Wyatt Johnson 46, Extras 24, Johan Viljoen 23; Eduan Strydom 4/4, Frederik Boshoff 4/19). Hoërskool Middelburg won by 75 runs. 

A massive weekend lies ahead as the four big shots of the Titans Platinum League face each other in a round that can already prove to be decisive in the outcome of the race for ultimate honours.

Follow the Titans Platinum League live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

In a clash that always offers a large dose of excitement and nail-biting drama, Hoërskool Waterkloof plays host to Hoërskool Garsfontein at the André van der Walt Oval on Saturday.

These two teams have met once before this year, in a T20 practice match, ultimately affected by the weather, as the Ysbere prepared for the SA20 playoffs hosted at the University of Pretoria, just two weeks later. Both have enjoyed immaculate starts to their campaigns.

The Klofies have already thumped Hoërskool Eldoraigne and Prestige College, while the Ysbere did the same against Prestige and beat Pretoria Boys High comfortably a week later. Having two balanced sides, with match-winners in the batting and bowling departments, always makes for a tight encounter.

Amongst the powerhouses on display are the two captains. Klofies’ Riley Miller has been his side’s best batsman so far this season, while Xander Venter of Garsfontein poses a double threat with both the new ball and at the top of his side’s batting order.

Rivan Booysen has been the find for the Klofies with the ball, seemingly always in the wickets column with at least three scalps more often than not. Saturday poses a tough challenge, however, squaring off against not only Venter but also the in-form Reuben van Zyl.

Die Hoërskool Menlopark travels just down Lynwood Road to face Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in their backyard. Similar to the Klofies-Garsies encounter, there has been a long-standing rivalry between the Parkies and Affies, which has produced some crackers over the years.

The return of the influential Ruben Groenewald, after a successful year on the rugby pitch, makes an already well-balanced side even more dangerous. Apart from Groenewald, the fact that JP Botha has found form at the top of the order is a significant boost for the Affies’ batting department.

The Parkies are licking wounds following a somewhat unexpected defeat at the hands of Pretoria Boys High School last weekend. This, however, is exactly what makes them dangerous: an unpredictable team with some serious young talent, good enough to topple any side on any given day.

Matt van der Westhuizen and his batting troups, including Jan-Willem Pienaar, will be relishing the opportunity to put the batting-friendly conditions of the Affies Oval to good use.

Pretoria Boys High will look to continue some strong momentum when they travel to Hammanskraal to face Prestige College at home. Here too, the battle of the batsman can play a decisive role in the outcome of the game.

Dylan Kruger‘s amazing 123 not out against the Parkies last weekend has shown exactly how capable he is, while 94 from the bat of Thabang Kutumela against the Klofies issued a similar statement.

Hoërskool Eldoraigne faces Cornwall Hill College at home. Still searching for their first victory as part of the Platinum League, Saturday might just be the day. However, the likes of Cornwall’s stalwart, Oliver Richard, will make life difficult for them, even though the Eldos are at home.

Adrian Watson‘s tough cricket path turned into a smooth road just two weeks ago when he played a career-altering knock for Hoërskool Hans Moore in the Easterns Premier League.

Follow Watson’s progress through the 2025 Schools Cricket season on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Since he began playing cricket, his all-round talent had been evident. He was a tearaway fast bowler with the ability to bat anywhere in the order.

Paul Amorim, Hans Moore’s Director of Cricket and now the Deputy Head of Sport identified Watson’s potential and felt he would thrive in the Moories‘ strong cricket programme. But Watson’s hopes and dreams were struck a hammer blow before he was able to truly make his mark at the Benoni school.

Only two weeks before the u16 National Week, he was admitted to hospital with a kidney problem. That resulted in emergency surgery being performed and with that went Watson’s hopes of appearing on the inter-provincial stage.

“Missing out on an opportunity like that knocked me,” he admitted. “It has been a mental battle ever since.”

It wasn’t as if matters slowly became more manageable. In fact, only a couple of months later, he suffered another setback when he fractured his left foot while bowling during a tour to Kimberley. That put him out of action for another year.

Once again, he had to work hard on his rehabilitation, both mentally and physically. His path back to fitness involved plenty of hard work in the nets with his older brother, Tennant, a Hans Moore old boy, who represented the first team as a wicketkeeper/batsman.

It is said that bad luck strikes in threes and so, unfortunately, that proved to be the case for Watson when, just five matches into the 2025 season, he injured his back. That led to a disheartening number of visits to doctors, physiotherapists, and chiropractors. Without any positive results, that also spelt the end of a promising career as a fast bowler.

With his bowling hopes dashed, Watson gritted his teeth once more, reset, and focused on his batting. On Friday, 29 August, he put the fruits of his labour of love on display when he opened the Hans Moore innings against Hoërskool Dinamika, at Dinamika.

It was as if he was taking out the frustrations of the past three years on the home side. In only 129 deliveries, he obliterated the Dinamika attack, blasting eight sixes and a breathtaking 24 fours in a sensational knock of 196.

After Watson just missed out on a double-century, Amorim was full of praise for his contribution. “I would’ve loved for him to get to 200,” Amorim said, “but it wasn’t meant to be.

“The 196, however, will forever be special because of what he’s been able to achieve through all the hardships over the last couple of years.”

Adrian’s older brother, Tennant, shared how proud he was of his younger sibling. “It meant everything to me,” he said of the special innings.

“He was the one who worked the hardest in an environment where everything seemed to be against him. It was difficult to keep him positive when he felt nothing was going his way. Seeing his comeback, as his brother ánd coach, really meant the world to me.”

A week after his spectacular knock at Dinamika, Watson led Hans Moore against Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, one of the leading teams in the league, and he was again among the runs, contributing 70 from just 69 balls.

“I was able to keep going through my faith in the Lord, as well as through the support of Tennant and the rest of my team. My brother definitely played the biggest role, though,” he said.

“He spent countless hours with me in the nets, as well as keeping me grounded and humble.

“I owe him a lot,” Watson concluded with a bright smile of appreciation.

There’s some time to go in the 2025 season and a Fain Noordvaal title for Hans Moore to defend. That makes it very likely that we’ll be hearing the name of the Moories‘ captain, Adrian Watson, much more before the season is done.

‘n Nuwe struktuur is bekendgemaak vir Afdeling 1 van volgende seisoen se SDC Noordvaal Cup-kompetisie, wat op 18 April 2026 afskop.

Volg en lees oor al die Noordvaal-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

In die Beker-afdeling sal daar slegs nege spanne, in stede van 10, meeding. Hoërskool Transvalia en Hoërskool Nelspruit is albei gerelegeer na die Plaat-afdeling, waar hulle in moeilike geselskap weer sake sal moet uitspook vir ‘n plek op die grootste verhoog.

Die grootste verandering behels egter die samestelling van die Bowl-afdeling.

Dié afdeling sal vanaf volgende jaar in twee groepe, die Oostelike en die Westelike been, verdeel word. Elke been sal uit ses spanne bestaan wat mekaar die stryd aansê. Die top-twee spanne van elke been sal mekaar, oorkruis, in die halfeindronde pak, waarna ‘n algehele wenner in die eindstryd gekroon sal word.

Dit bied ook die geleentheid aan drie nuwelinge, vanuit Afdeling 2, om hul strukture op ‘n hoër vlak te toets. Hoërskool Brandwag van Benoni is, saam met Hoërskool Die Anker en Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs, die nuwe gesigte in die Oostelike been. Die Anker en Hugenote is albei aan die einde van vanjaar se seisoen na die Bowl gerelegeer.

In die Westelike been, is Hoërskool Centurion en ‘n gevaarlike Midstream College die nuwelinge in ‘n uiters mededingende groep. Die kampioen van vanjaar se reeks, Potchefstroom Volkskool, asook die naaswenner, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, is ook albei hier in aksie.

Hoërskool Middelburg het na ‘n uitstekende seisoen deur ál sy spanne, promosie na die Beker-afdeling verwerf. Hier sal hy saam met dié afdeling se eerstespan-kampioen van die laaste drie jaar, en die alghele kampioenvanjaar, Hoërskool Garsfontein, asook 2025 se naaswenners, Helpmekaar Kollege, en ses van die Noordvaal se ander groot honde moet blaf.

Buiten, Transvalia en die Rhinos van Nelspruit, verwelkom die Plaat-afdeling ook vir Hoërskool Montana terug. Die Monties het slegs een jaar in die laer Skild-afdeling spandeer, voordat hulle weer promosie na die tweede moeilikste afdeling verwerf het.

Hoërskool Marais Viljoen is vir die tweede agtereenvolgende jaar gerelegeer en skuif saam met Ligbron Akademie af na die Skild-afdeling. Hoërskool Eldoraigne is die ander nuweling in dié afdeling, nadat hy as algehele kampioen van die Bowl-afdeling gekroon is. Dit sal die eerste keer, sedert 2021, tydens die destydse Virsekerbeker, wees dat die Eldos in die Skild-afdeling meeding.

Die Poelindeleings:

Beker-afdeling: 

Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen
Garsfontein
Helpmekaar Kollege
Menlopark
Hoërskool Middelburg
Monument
Noordheuwel
Hoërskool Rustenburg
Waterkloof

Plaat-afdeling

HTS Middelburg
Hoërskool Kempton Park
Montana
Hoërskool Klerksdorp
Hoërskool Nelspruit
Oos-Moot
Transvalia
Wesvalia
Zwartkop

Skild-afdeling

Ben Vorster
Eldoraigne
Heidelberg Volkskool
Hoërskool Lichtenburg
Ligbron Akademie
Marais Viljoen
Hoërskool Piet Retief
Hoërskool Pietersburg
Hoërskool Secunda

Bowl-afdeling
Oos Been: 

Brandwag (Benoni)
Die Anker
Dinamika
Hoërskool Ermelo
Hugenote (Springs)
Merensky Landbou Akademie

Wes Been: 

Bergsig Akademie
Hoërskool Centurion
Jeugland
Midstream College
Potchefstroom Gimnasium
Potchefstroom Volkskool

The combination of Wihan Fourie‘s anticks with the ball and Pieter Viljoen‘s heroics with the bat saw Hoërskool Hoogenhout shock Hoërskool Nelspruit in their Mpumalanga Premier clash on Saturday.

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

Fourie was the first to announce himself with a five-for, while conceding only 35 runs in the 10 overs he bowled, and he played the leading role in restricting the Nellies to only 206 all out.

The hosts’ Waldemar Graham nevertheless indicated that the conditions were suited for batting too, scoring a well-played 61 runs, while Jan Malan supported with 44 runs coming from his willow.

It would, however, be Hoogenhout captain and opening batsman, Pieter Viljoen, who ultimately stole the show. Viljoen clearly saw no virtue in hanging around and went straight on the attack, a decision that paid off remarkably well. He needed only 75 deliveries to smash 14 sixes and 13 fours in powering his way to 157 not out.

This meant that 136, or 86% of his runs, came from boundaries, as he set Nelspruit alight in an eventful run chase which lasted only 22.5 overs. It also included a 205-run partnership with Johan Viljoen (30), which sealed a nine-wicket victory for their side.

Travelling to Secunda, Gavin Genis and Hoërskool Middelburg picked up where they left off at the end of last season. Genis, now in Grade 11, delivered an unbeaten 85-run blitzkrieg as the defending champions of Mpumalanga, and runners-up in the Fain Noordvaal competition, secured a five-wicket win.

Although he was the leading run scorer on the day, Eduan Strydom‘s all-round performance probably outshone the innings of Genis. Strydom firstly took the lead with the ball, playing the main part in restricting Hoërskool Secunda to only 220 before the last wicket fell.

Strydom then backed up his 4/21 with 35 runs coming off his bat, combining with his Genis for a match-winning partnership of 105 runs. A run-a-ball 31 from Lohan Botha at the top of the order, also played a crucial part in the chase, laying the platform for the two batsmen lower down to do what they do best.

Although not their best day at the office, there were signs of some early form for the Secunda batters. Nijan Swart looked positive for his 33, using only 17 balls, while Jayden Scholtz emerged as the leading run scorer on the day with 38.

Summarised Scorecards: 

Hoërskool Nelspruit 206 (Waldemar Graham 61, Jan Malan 44; Wihan Fourie 5/35, Zeeshan Ebrahim 2/40, Wyatt Johnson 2/51); Hoërskool Hoogenhout 207/1 (Pieter Viljoen 157*, Johan Viljoen 30; Jan Malan 1/47). Hoërskool Hoogenhout won by nine wickets. 

Hoërskool Secunda 220 (Jayden Scholtz 38, Nijan Swart 33, CJ Webb 29*, Andries Coetzer 23, Umar Badat 23, Walt Woster 20; Eduan Strydom 4/21, Herman Potgieter 3/25); Hoërskool Middelburg 222/5 (Gavin Genis 85*, Eduan Strydom 35, Lohan Botha 31, Herman Potgieter 29; Lohan Swart 3/60). Hoërskool Middelburg won by five wickets. 

It was always going to be a nail-biting affair when Hoërskool Pietersburg, the defending champions of the Limpopo Super League, and Merensky Landbou Akademie clashed on Saturday in Polokwane. In the end, the Pieties sneaked home by a mere six runs.

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

The defending champions batted first, posting 204, with middle-order batsman Hanru Marais leading the charge.

Entering the fray after Dian Gouws and Stephan Swanepoel had respectively scored 27 and 31 at the start of the innings, Marais used 37 deliveries to top score for his side. Smashing eight fours, he batted his way to a crucial 46, which, backed up by AJ Galloway‘s 35 not out, set a reasonable target for the Pieties.

The Plasies spearhead and captain, Luka Heinlein, asked the most questions with the ball, snapping up 4/30 in the 8.2 overs he bowled. Left-arm spinner Timothy Baker, who seems on track to be the league’s leading wicket-taker for the second year in a row, supported with 3/57 in 10 overs.

The Pietie bowlers, however, were not intent on taking a backseat to Heinlein and Baker. A combined effort, led by Willem Viljoen (2/25), saw four of the home side’s bowlers each pick up two wickets to restrict the Plasies to 198 when the last wicket fell. JP Botha nevertheless tried his destructive best, giving his side hope with 55 runs off 62 balls, before he was sent back to the pavilion.

Hoërskool Piet Potgieter continued their dominant run of form, beating Hoërskool Louis Trichardt by seven wickets. Although Triggies’ Francois Nel shone with 55 runs, the side from Louis Trichardt could only reach 153 before being bundled out. Fredrick Botes (3/15) and Michael Jooste (3/20) did most of the damage for Piet Pot with the ball.

Ridwhan Patel (48) and Muhaaz Mohammad (45) then made light work of chasing the target of 154 runs needed for victory. The side from Mokopane, who appear very dangerous this year, already reached the total on the fourth ball of the 20th over.

Hoërskool Ben Vorster‘s Dumisani Manyama tore through Phalaborwa Hub‘s batting lineup with an impressive 5/16, as the Black Caps eventually strolled to a five-wicket victory. Apart from Mandla Mashaba (37) and Marcus Ngobeni (27), the Phalaborwa side had little answer to Manyama.

Ruben Pohl, fresh off a long rugby season, led the chase with his 36 runs, while Mashalane Mphotseng chipped in with a good-looking 29 not out to get the Black Caps over the line.

Summarised scorecards: 

Hoërskool Pietersburg 204 (Hancu Marais 46, AJ Galloway 35*, Stephan Swanepoel 31, Willem Viljoen 28, Dian Gouws 27; Luka Heinlein 4/30, Timothy Baker 3/57, Topher Elphinstone 2/16); Merensky Landbou Akademie 198 (JP Botha 55, Extras 34, Rinaldo Borman 26, Timothy Baker 21; Willem Viljoen 2/25, Stephan Swanepoel 2/25, Dian Gouws 2/29, Celliers van der Merwe 2/37). Hoërskool Pietersburg won by six runs. 

Hoërskool Louis Trichardt 153 (Francois Nel 55, Shivam Patel 22; Frederick Botes 3/15, Michael Jooste 3/20, Ruben Oosthuizen 2/23); Hoërskool Piet Potgieter 154/3 (Ridwhan Patel 48, Muhaaz Mohammad 45, Zaid Vhora 20; Brendan Bruce 1/14). Hoërskool Piet Potgieter won by seven wickets. 

Phalaborwa Hub 118 (Mandla Mashaba 37, Marcus Ngobeni 27; Dumisani Manyama 5/16, Khulani Mnisi 2/24, Njabulo Maseko 2/27); Ben Vorster 118/5 (Ruben Pohl 36, Mashalane Mphotseng 29*; Lesley Zimba 2/16). Ben Vorster won by five wickets. 

Dylan Kruger came to the rescue of Pretoria Boys High, eventually leading his side to an emphatic 49-run victory over Hoërskool Menlopark on Saturday.

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

Having lost three early wickets for a mere 18 runs, Kruger and the in-form Tinashe Mbingo steadied the ship with an invaluable 75-run partnership before Mbingo was sent back to the pavilion for a classy, hard-fought 54 runs off 79 balls.

Kruger, however, stood his ground. Occupying the crease like a seasoned middle-order batsman, he faced 134 deliveries, scoring a memorable 123 unbeaten runs – without hitting a six. He did, however, smash no less than 16 fours, as 64 of his runs came from boundaries.

Louis Kruyshaar, batting at six, played his part with grace, contributing 36 in a 98-run partnership, which helped Boys High to a total of 239/6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Jordan van Eck was the Parkies’ mainstay with the ball. Delivering one of the more impressive spells of late, Van Eck snapped up four wickets for only 12 runs in the 10 overs he bowled.

The batting, unfortunately, didn’t quite go to plan for Menlopark. James Bronkhorst tried valiantly with 38 runs, the visitors’ highest score on the day, while Jacques de Villiers (33) provided keen support. However, two-wicket hauls by four of the Boys High bowlers, led by Eaun Gottfried (2/29), saw the Parkies stumble to only 190 all out.

At the André van der Walt Oval, home of defending champions, Hoërskool Waterkloof, Prestige College was left wondering what might have been. The visitors from Hammanskraal suffered a massive batting collapse of six wickets for only seven runs, after it initially looked like opening batsman Thabang Kutumela had set them up to cause a major upset.

Kutumela batted superbly, facing 114 deliveries for 94 runs. His innings, four runs short of a well-deserved century, included 12 fours and a solitary six, before he lost his wicket to Rivan Booysen.

Booysen has become somewhat of a golden arm for the Klofies, picking up another three wickets for only 28 runs. Ricardo Crous also got in on the act with a contribution of three wickets, which played a crucial part in the devastating six-wicket flurry that got the Klofies over the line.

Hoërskool Garsfontein continued on their merry way, defeating Cornwall Hill College by 79 runs. Ruan Coetzee stole the spotlight with a five-wicket haul, which signalled the end for Cornwall. Making Coetzee’s accomplishment more impressive is the fact that he only conceded 27 runs in the eight overs he delivered.

The Ysbere’s impressive outing with the ball didn’t stop with Coetzee, though. Echard Struwig, when called upon, took his opportunity to inflict more pain on the Cornwall batters. In just 4.5 overs, Struwig snapped up four wickets for only 14 runs.

Vihan Pretorius was in equally destructive form with the ball in Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool‘s seven-wicket victory over Eldoraigne. Pretorius has posed a serious threat with the ball this season, rather than, as usual, with the bat, and it took him only 7.4 overs to claim four wickets for just 26 runs.

Nico Loggenberg (2/34) and Petrus Rautenbach (2/27) were in on the action, too, as Affies restricted the Eldos to a meagre 140 runs, batting only 33.4 overs.

JP Botha (36) and Ruben Groenewald (32*), upon his return from the rugby field, steered the ship home for Affies, with Groenewald looking particularly dangerous with his unbeaten 32 coming off just 20 balls.

Summarised scorecards: 

Pretoria Boys High School 239/6 (Dylan Kruger 123*, Tinashe Mbingo 54, Louis Kruyshaar 36; Jordan van Eck 4/12); Menlopark 190 (James Bronkhorst 38, Jacques de Villiers 33, Venter 30, Matt van der Westhuizen 21; Eaun Gottfried 2/29, Justin Basdeo 2/32, Jaydon Knott-Craig 2/33, Joseph van Dijk 2/40). Pretoria Boys High School won by 49 runs. 

Waterkloof 313/7 (Johan Feuth 58, Jaydon Blom 53*, AJ de Villiers 52, Franco Schmidt 40, Darius Maritz 31, Riley Miller 25; Bongile Sithole 2/59, Keamogetswe Semenya 2/67); Prestige College 235/9 (Thabang Kutumela 94, Lesedi Mabena 40, Omphile Maredi 32; Rivan Booysen 3/28, Ricardo Crous 3/39, AJ de Villiers 2/22). Waterkloof won by 78 runs. 

Garsfontein 238 (Jared Carr 42, Zizwe Khumalo 40, Riaan Boshoff 33, Ruan Coetzee 24*, Echard Struwig 24, Extras 22; Oliver Richards 3/48, Layton Pullen 2/18, Mohale Pitso 2/39); Cornwall Hill College 159 (Oliver Richards 46, Rourke de Lange 22, Extras 20; Ruan Coetzee 5/27, Echard Struwig 4/14). Garsfontein won by 79 runs. 

Eldoraigne 140 (Marinus Langerman 25, Kyle de Bruin 22; Vihan Pretorius 4/26, Petrus Rautenbach 2/27, Nico Loggenberg 2/34); Affies 141/3 (JP Botha 36, Ruben Groenewald 32*, Dylan Stander 23, Christian Linde 20, Vihan Pretorius 20; Vince Lotz 1/22). Affies won by seven wickets. 

The Eastern Premier League has taken on a fresh look for the 2025 season, with teams now having just one round in which to secure a place in the Fain Noordvaal Playoffs later in the year.

Read and follow all the 2025 Schools Cricket action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Previously, the league featured two rounds of 50-over fixtures. This year, however, only one 50-over round will be played, followed by a second round in the Time Cricket format—designed to test youngsters’ abilities in the longer game.

The team that finishes top of the standings at the end of the first round will earn automatic qualification for the Noordvaal series, upping the pressure and leaving Hoërskool Hans Moore with everything to play for.

The Moories are the reigning Noordvaal champions, having defeated Hoërskool Middelburg in last year’s final at St Alban’s College—a historic triumph, as it was the school’s first-ever title.

That puts the pressure squarely on the shoulders of captain Adrian Watson and his charges. Watson, nevertheless, appears to have hit form at the perfect time. On Wednesday, 3 August, he dismantled Hoërskool Dinamika with an astonishing innings of 196 from just 129 deliveries.

This Saturday, however, Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, playing at home, will pose a sterner challenge. As one of the league’s strong contenders, it will be intriguing to see what tactics captain Jaden Govender and his side devise in their bid to topple the Moories.

The Alberton-based outfit must beat Hans Moore to keep their campaign alive, after falling to another of the favourites, Hoërskool Kempton Park.

The Kempies, meanwhile, face Benoni High School on Saturday. Coach Johan Fourie has assembled a balanced side, with Khaya Majola fast bowler, Kristiaan du Plessis leading the attack. All-rounder Wian Pieters, who also featured at the 2024 Khaya Majola Week, will be central to their hopes with both bat and ball.

Should Hans Moore prevail on Saturday, the race for top spot will almost certainly come down to their clash with the Kempies—fittingly, in the final round of the 50-over phase.

In the third fixture of the weekend’s Easterns action, Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen travels to Alberton to take on Dinamika. The hosts are still smarting from the heavy defeat inflicted by Hans Moore and conceding 505 runs in 50 overs earlier in the week.

Their coach, Jacques Venter, a fine seam bowler in his playing days, will be desperate for his attack to step up against a dangerous-looking Jansie side.

At present, no one can predict for certain who will be crowned as the 2025 Titans Platinum League champion.

Read and follow all the 2025 Schools Cricket action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Over the past four years, Hoërskool Waterkloof have dominated the Titans scene, making history as the first side to claim consecutive titles across as many seasons.

This year, however, the landscape looks rather different.

The Klofies are by no means a weak outfit, boasting leaders such as middle-order batsman Riley Miller and wicketkeeper-batsman Rico van der Walt, both brimming with First XI experience. In addition, a new generation of talent is emerging. Opening batsman AJ de Villiers has already announced himself with a century in the league, underlining the depth at Waterkloof’s disposal.

The real shift, however, lies in the rise of three other sides who have assembled some of their strongest teams in recent years.

Hoërskool Garsfontein, unbeaten in their opening two matches, already field three players who have surpassed the 100-cap milestone.

Their captain, Xander Venter, has been involved in Cricket South Africa’s talent identification camps with an eye to the next ICC Under-19 World Cup, while Reuben van Zyl’s bat has already produced two centuries in as many matches. The third centurion, Echard Struwig, has been a game-changer with both bat and ball, stepping up as a match-winner when his side needed it most.

The Garsies, nicknamed the Ysbere, are also the reigning Titans Schools SA20 champions and national semi-finalists, following their impressive run at the national tournament, hosted at the University of Pretoria earlier this year.

Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool also possesses serious firepower. Grade 11 all-rounder Vihan Pretorius, who toured with the South African Under-19s earlier this year, is traditionally recognised for his batting, yet has made his biggest impact with the ball in the 2025/26 season.

Alongside him, prodigy Cristian Linde has forced his way into the Affies First XI. Still in Grade 9, Linde has already established himself at the top of the order under the watchful eye of coach Pieter Cronjé.

Hoërskool Menlopark cannot be underestimated either and, on paper, look formidable. At the top of the order, the experienced Matt van der Westhuizen is hungry for runs, while youngster Jan-Willem Pienaar, another exciting young talent, has impressed in the middle order since his debut late last year. The Parkies, however, will miss their strike bowler, Tiaan Serfontein, for the foreseeable future, with the frontline quickie having undergone knee surgery.

This weekend, Menlopark meet Pretoria Boys High School, while Affies face the dark horses, Hoërskool Eldoraigne, who will be eager to prove a point as newcomers to the competition. Waterkloof host Prestige College, while the Ysbere travel to Cornwall Hill College for their third fixture of the round-robin stage.