Author: froberholzer

Western Province yet again indicated that they might be the team to beat at this year’s CSA U16 Girls Week.

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Miya Lalor followed up on her impressive performance on Day 1 with an even better show, achieving her first five-for of the week. Together with Nakeeta Collins, they guided the side from Cape to a comfortable 78-run victory over the Titans.

Batting first, Collins set things up with a neat innings of 47 runs, falling just three short of what would have been a well-deserved half-century. Her enthusiasm rubbed off on Erin Schroonby, who joined in on the action with a valuable 37 runs to establish a first-innings total of 161 for WP.

Although facing a potent batting lineup, the Gauteng side’s Boipelo Kubeka put in an industrious shift with the ball, taking 3/20. Kaylee Carr provided ample support with her return of 2/18.

Lalor, however, seemed unplayable as she ran through the Titans’ top order, only conceding 12 runs for her five wickets. Zaurha Titus backed up Lalor with a return of 2/10, as the pair ensured that the Titans could only reach 88 all out, thus securing another comprehensive victory.

The Limpopo Impalas showed that they, too, could be a thorn in the side for future opponents. It was especially in the bowling department where the side from up north shone, disposing of old foes, Mpumalanga, for a mere 42 to claim victory by 75 runs.

Defending 117, due to an unbeaten 19 from Mahlako Mamabolo, as well as some assistance from the Mpumalanga bowlers, Murisi Rikhotso caused considerable damage with the new nut. Conceding only three runs, Rikhotso snapped up three wickets in no time. Refilwe Mashego did the rest, with her contribution of 2/11, which left Mpumalanga with no comeback.

Boland nearly slipped up following another remarkable performance by their opening bowlers. As was the case on Day 1, the opening pair of Melissa van der Merwe and Janel Steenkamp did the job for their side, with Van der Merwe stealing the spotlight on this occasion with an astonishing return of 7/18 in her six overs, while Steenkamp provided the necessary support with 2/12 in 4.1 overs.

Requiring only 49 for victory, the side from the Boland, however, stumbled early on after Tishe Frans had bagged three quick wickets, but the lower order kept their composure to guide them across the line with four wickets to spare.

Kei bagged their first win of the week, getting Eastern Cape Linyathi all out for a meagre 37 thanks to a near-perfect bowling performance by Kwenele Kratshi. Realising that she had only 61 runs to play with, Kratshi snapped up six wickets while conceding a mere eight runs, thereby steering her side to a memorable 26-run victory.

Summarised scorecards:

Western Province 161 (Nakeeta Collins 47, Erin Schroonby 37, Extras 27; Boipelo Kubeka 3/20, Kaylee Carr 2/18); Titans 83 (Mohau Phasa 35, Extras 26; Miya Lalor 5/12, Zaurha Titus 2/10). Western Province won by 78 runs.

Limpopo Impalas 117 (Extras 32, Mahlako Mamabolo 19*; Mbali Mothoane 3/26, Danika Gloy 2/12, Omphile Mandi 2/25, Samkeliswe Mashaba 2/25); Mpumalanga 42 (Extras 21; Murisi Rikhotso 3/3, Refilwe Mashego 2/11). Limpopo Impalas won by 75 runs.

Garden Route Badgers 48 (Jeze Campher 22; Melissa van der Merwe 7/18, Janel Steenkamp 2/12); Boland 49/6 (Extras 24; Tishe Frans 3/15). Boland won by four wickets.

Kei 63 (Extras 29, Sikho Keto 15; Alitha Fotiyi 3/7, Azomile Silhere 2/11); Eastern Cape Linyathi 37 (Ali Luuli 8; Kwanele Kratshi 6/8). Kei won by 26 runs.

Easterns performed an impressive turnaround from their disappointing first outing at the CSA U16 Girls Week to see off a strong Free State side.

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Having struggled with the bat on the first day, Siphokule Masisela took it upon herself to lead her side to a competitive score. Scoring at a run-a-ball, the Easterns top-order batter struck eight lovely boundaries for a well-played 54, only the second half-century of this year’s tournament.

Isla du Toit was in good nick with the bat, too, contributing 36, while Keira Ferreira‘s 21 further assisted her side to reach 164.

With everything to do, Free State‘s Rethabile Nthoba replied with a scintillating innings. She needed only 80 deliveries to smash 81 runs, including 10 glorious fours. Unfortunately, though, Nthoba only found support in Simone Mouton (24), as the Easterns bowling pair of Nadine Visser and Kananelo Mokoena did most of the damage.

Visser, bowling 4.3 overs, snapped up 4/27, while Mokoena was equally impressive, sending three Free State batters back to the pavilion and conceding only 19 runs in the six overs she delivered. This helped Eastern claim a tightly contested five-run victory.

The Central Gauteng Lions‘ woes with the ball continued as they fell victim to Eastern Province. One wonders how different things could have turned out if the side from Gauteng hadn’t conceded 50 extras. EP’s Ashlee Buhr, however, batted well, too, contributing a well-played 29 runs to help her side to a competitive 129/9.

Buhr followed up her performance with the willow by taking 2/17, and in unison with the pick of the bowlers, Bianca Graham (3/10) and Caitlyn Collier (2/3), rolled the Lionesses for a disappointing 88 runs, thereby securing a 41-run victory.

Juanita Chirembee bowled Northern Cape to a comprehensive five-wicket victory over the Tuskers. Chirembee only needed three overs to claim her four scalps, which put the side from the interior of KwaZulu-Natal under immense pressure.

Chirembee’s teammates, Brianna Arthur (2/6) and Carla Hannekom (2/7), also wasted no time either claiming their four wickets for only 13 runs, thus enabling Northern Cape to restrict the Tuskers to only 48 runs.

Wandiswa Kaula (3/10) and Luthando Ngcobo (2/8) launched a valiant fightback, rocking the Northern Cape top-order, but a cool and calm innings from Keziah Adams (12) was enough to get her side over the line.

The Dolphins were dominant against North West, cruising home comfortably by nine wickets. Sophie Read produced the goods with the ball, claiming four wickets for only six runs, while Sthembile Dlamini joined in on the fun with a return of 2/8, ensuring that North West could only reach 61.

Shreeya Subbiah then did her part with the bat, producing a match-winning 26 to secure victory in only the 10th over.

Summarised scorecards:

Easterns 164 (Siphokule Masisela 54, Extras 41, Isla du Toit 36, Keira Ferreira 21; Boitumelo Mhlaba 4/16, Lebogang Kokoeane 2/19, Simone Mouton 2/24); Free State 159 (Rethabile Nthoba 81, Simone Mouton 24, Extras 20; Nadine Visser 4/27, Kananelo Mokoena 3/19). Easterns won by five runs.

Eastern Province 129/9 (Extras 50, Ashlee Buhr 29; Mamly Raphela 2/12, Kaylin Erasmus 2/17); Central Gauteng Lions 88 (Extras 38, Mankwanan 21; Bianca Graham 3/8, Caitlyn Collier 2/3, Ashlee Buhr 2/17). Eastern Province won by 41 runs.

Tuskers 46 (Extras 18; Juanita Chirembee 4/17, Brianna Arthur 2/6, Carla Hannekom 2/7); Northern Cape 48/5 (Extras 18, Keziah Adams 12; Wandiswa Kaula 3/10, Luthando Ngcobo 2/8). Northern Cape won by five wickets.

North West 61 (Extras 36; Sophie Read 4/6, Sthembile Dlamini 2/8); Dolphins 62/1 (Shreeya Subbiah 26; Isabelle du Toit 1/8). Dolphins won by nine wickets.

The North-West Girls U/16 side started the CSA Week like a house on fire, beating the Central Gauteng Lions in their tightly contested opener on St Stithians College’s Dlamini Oval.

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Jessica Joshua led the way with the willow for North West as they chased down the 80 runs required for victory with only three wickets left in the shed.

Facing 52 deliveries, Joshua, who opened the batting, smashed five fours as she made her way to a well-played and match-winning 36 runs. This came on the back of a memorable performance with the ball by teammates, Reabetswe Dithipe and Ayanda Mosothane.

Dithipe, the most economical of the bowlers, conceded only 13 runs in the six overs she delivered, building the pressure that in turn led to her three wickets. Mosothane provided support with her return of 2/13 in her four overs.

Gauteng’s Boitumelo Chuene was a shining light in a struggling batting lineup. She batted well for her mature 25, which came from 53 deliveries. However, her contribution would be the only noteworthy one in a tough first outing for the Lionesses.

Free State also made quite a significant statement, opening their account with an impressive 53-run victory over one of the bigger unions of the week, the Titans. Led by a masterful 49 from the bat of Rethabile Nthoda, and courtesy of some wayward bowling by the Titans, the side from Free State set a very competitive total of 164.

Although the ladies from the Jacaranda City conceded 57 extras, there were still some positive signs, especially from Mieke Reynolds. Reynolds kept her line and length tight to boast figures of 3/23 in the nine overs she bowled. However, her efforts, as well as those from Abigail Ellis (2/21) and Palesa Mokheseng (2/33), were soon neutralised by the more impressive bowling from the Free State ladies.

Thanks to Lebogang Rakoeane‘s 4/16 and two wickets from Thando Nelane, the Titans found themselves in heaps of trouble at 107/7 in the 26th over. It was a disappointing collapse after the hard work by Lethabo Rabalao (30) and Mieke Reynolds (25) at the top of the order.

The Limpopo Impalas pushed the Garden Route Badgers all the way in another low-scoring affair. Batting first, the side from the north managed to post only 83, with a contribution of 24 from Tshepiso Dineo Motswi.

Faithlynne Karelse did the bulk of the damage for the Badgers, finishing with 3/22 in the five overs she bowled. A further four wickets between Tishe Frans (2/14) and Jolene Aguls (2/14) had the Impalas against the ropes. They nevertheless fought back spiritedly with some good bowling of their own, notably from Murisi Rikhotso.

Rikhotso’s 4/21 shifted the momentum momentarily in favour of the side from Limpopo, as the Badgers found themselves on 9/5 at one stage, but a scintillating knock from Jeze Campher saved the day. Smashing six fours, Campher contributed a little gem of 36 not out to get her side across the line.

Zoe Knoetze‘s 41 from 69 deliveries helped the Eastern Cape Linyathi to a hard-fought seven-run victory over Northern Cape. Knoetze’s innings enabled Linyathi to post a defendable 122. Bokao Ntuane was the pick of the Northern Cape bowlers, sending three Linyathi batters back to the pavilion.

Northern Cape struggled to put together partnerships but found some help in the form of 40 extras courtesy of the Eastern Cape bowlers. Azomile Silhere (2/24) and Unakho Gwala (2/19), however, did enough with timely breakthroughs to lead their side to victory.

Summarised scorecards:

Central Gauteng Lions 79 (Boitumelo Chuene 25*, Extras 24; Reabetswe Dithipe 3/13, Ayanda Motsothane 2/13); North West 80/7 (Jessica Joshua 36, Extras 23; Samkelisiwe Mthembu 3/23, Nonhlanhla Mthembu 2/22). North West won by three wickets.

Free State 164 (Extras 57, Rethabile Nthoba 49; Mieke Reynolds 3/23, Abigail Ellis 2/21, Palesa Mokheseng 2/33); Titans 111 (Lethabo Rabalao 30, Mieke Reynolds 25, Extras 24; Lebonang Rakoeane 4/16, Thando Nelane 2/18). Free State won by 53 runs.

Limpopo Impalas 83 (Extras 37, Tshepiso Dineo Motswi 24; Faithlynne Karelse 3/22, Jolene Aguls 2/14); Garden Route Badgers 88/8 (Jeze Campher 36*, Extras 21; Murisi Rikhotso 4/21). Garden Route Badgers won by two wickets.

Eastern Cape Linyathi 122 (Extras 45, Zoe Kotze 41, Bokao 3/33, Aumile Binase 2/12); Northern Cape 115 (Extras 40; Unakho Gwala 2/19, Azomile Silerhe 2/24). Eastern Cape Linyathi won by seven runs.

Sunday, the first day of the CSA u16 Girls Week in Johannesburg, delivered three five-wicket hauls as the bowlers enjoyed a strong start to the inter-provincial competition.

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Ziyanda Xulu, the Dolphins‘ mainstay, was the pick of the bowlers on day one, with her effort steering the Dolpins to a 36-run victory over Eastern Province.

Tasked with defending only 88 runs, which owed plenty to a patient 22 runs by Shreeya Subbiah, the KZN opening bowler captured a memorable six wickets in only six overs at a cheap cost of 14 runs.

The Eastern Province bowlers were impressive, too, with Musa Halana snapping up 3/8 and Ashlee Buhr following suit with a return of 2/12 as they presented their batters with a victory target that looked reasonably easy. Then Xulu intervened.

Boland‘s Janel Steenkamp also couldn’t have asked for a better start to the week. She found her rhythm early on, which played a key role in the Western Cape side scoring a significant 45-run win over Mpumalanga.

In 5.3 overs, she recorded three maidens while snapping up five scalps for only four runs. It was a case of the wickets she took and the runs she didn’t concede heaping pressure on Mpumalanga. Steenkamp wasn’t alone, however, in her team’s efforts to defend the 111 they had posted in their innings. Her partner, bowling from the other end, Melissa van der Merwe, sparkled, too, claiming 4/17 in seven overs.

Danika Gloy was Mpumalanga’s leading performer, delivering a solid all-round performance. She led the way with the ball, knocking over 2/23, and contributed a well-played 20 runs with the bat. It was, unfortunately for Gloy, not enough to overcome Boland’s fine bowling.

Western Province‘s batting line-up looked the most accomplished on the first day. Opening batter Erin Scroonby became the first player to record a half-century at the week, playing well for 56 runs from 73 deliveries, seven of which she dispatched to the boundary. Miya Lalor (34) and Nakeeta Collins (30) provided good support as the Capetonians bounded their way to 189, the biggest total of the day.

On a disappointing day for Easterns, Thandeka Mngomezulu stood out. Although a tad expensive, the opening bowler followed in the footsteps of Xulu and Steenkamp by laying claim to the third five wicket-haul of the day. Her batters, though, were unable to provide any support, with WP’s Chuma Xameni damaging their efforts with a decisive return of 3/5.

She found support from Lalor, who followed up her impressive batting performance with two wickets with the ball. Zita Logenstein also removed two batters as Easterns slumped to 31 all out.

The Tuskers, from the KwaZulu-Natal Inland region, kicked off their campaign on a winning note, convincingly beating Kei by five wickets, thanks to a well-rounded bowling performance, which was led by Sindswa Xaba‘s return of 2/2. Ayanda Mhlongo (2/12), Wandia Kaula (2/14), and Luthanda Ngcobo (2/17) chimed in with two wickets each, as Kei was restricted to a meagre 65 runs.

Siphokazi Xaba then played a patient innings of 21 runs to lead the Tuskers side to victory. It wasn’t a staightforward win, though, as Kei’s Yamkela Mnqabasha (2/11) and Amila Butshula (2/24) nearly threw the cat amongst the pigeons with four quick wickets between them.

Summarised scorecards

Dolphins 88/10 (Extras 30, Shreeya Subbiah 22; Musa Halana 3/8, Ashlee Buhr 2/12); Eastern Province 52/10 (Extras 22; Ziyanda Xulu 6/14). Dolphins won by 36 runs.

Boland 111/10 (Taymin Muggles 31, Waynique Julies 29, Extras 29; Samkelisiwe Mashaba 3/17, Quinzel Bisschoff 3/20, Danika Gloy 2/23); Mpumalanga 66/10 (Extras 21, Danika Gloy 20; Janel Steenkamp 5/4, Melissa van der Merwe 4/17). Boland won by 45 runs.

Western Province 189/10 (Erin Scroonby 56, Extras 46, Miya Lalor 34, Nakeeta Collins 30; Thandeka Mngomezulu 5/28, Khanyisile Hlatswayo 2/25); Easterns 31/10 (Extras 11; Chuma Xameni 3/5, Miya Lalor 2/6, Zita Logenstein 2/7). Western Province won by 158 runs.

Kei 65/10 (Extras 24; Sindiswa Xaba 2/2, Ayanda Mhlongo 2/12, Wandiswa Kaula 2/14, Luthando Ngcobo 2/17); Tuskers 66/5 (Siphokazi Xaba 21; Yamkela Mnqabasha 2/11, Amila Butshula 2/24). Tuskers won by five wickets.

“My dad’s cricket bat was taller than I was when I first tried to pick it up. My older brother, Tiaan, seven years my senior, started playing cricket when he was nine and I had to stand ready every afternoon in the corridor when he wanted to practice his bowling.

“The kicker was that I was never allowed to duck, sway, or cry. Otherwise, I wasn’t allowed to play anymore,” Gavin Genis recalled about where his love for the game of cricket started.

That’s where the 16-year-old Hoërskool Middelburg all-rounder began to learn about fighting under severe pressure.

Genis, already a star for his side at a young age, enjoyed a fruitful 2024, but it was in the playoffs of the Fain Noordvaal Competition that his talents became known to a wider audience across South Africa.

In almost unbelievable fashion Genis snapped up a staggering 17 wickets in only four matches, including a special return of 6/51, his third consecutive five-wicket haul, in the semi-finals against a loaded Hoërskool Waterkloof side.

His cricket journey officially started at the age of eight, when Abré Vollgraaff, then at Cambridge Academy in Witbank, and now the Head of Sport at Hoërskool Eldoraigne in Centurion, invited him to attend the u11 regional trials.

“Although I didn’t get picked that year, I already knew it was one of my goals. In my u9 and u10 years, I played for the u10 Mpumalanga Indoor side, and also made the u10 national side in both,” the all-rounder shared.

He also attained his goal of playing for the u11 Mpumalanga side, representing the union for two years in succession in the age group, which showcased his burgeoning cricketing talent at a young age.

Unfortunately, Genis, like other sports lovers, was halted through the Covid-19 years, but that didn’t dim the determined Middelburger’s drive. In the years following the pandemic, he went on to earn yet another provincial call-up, joining the u15 side at the annual Regional Week.

Following a very successful 2024, he was selected for the Mpumalanga u16 team, which will travel to Pretoria in December for the annual CSA u16 Boys Week. He also earned national indoor cricket colours again.

“Jacques Else is one of the Middelburgers I look up to the most. Coaches Shaun Neethling and Conrad Viljoen have also played a significant role in my cricketing journey thus far,” Genis said when asked about the major influences on his young cricket career.

When stepping over the rope and onto the field, the youngster aspires to be like current opening test batsman Aiden Markram. He’s the one Genis has looked up to since day one. However, the Protea isn’t the sole holder of the title of biggest role model. “My father, Barry Genis, has been another I’ve looked up to”, Genis explained.

The all-rounder has produced many memorable moments during 2024, including during his side’s Mpumalanga League match against Hoërskool Nelspruit, where he scored a masterful 128 and they won a tight contest by only eight runs to keep their unbeaten run alive. Another outstanding memory was created in the Fain Noordvaal semi-final against the Klofies.

“We didn’t score close to enough runs and, after lunch, there was some nervous energy, which was to be expected, but somehow everything just clicked. Eduan Strydom and I just found a new rhythm with the ball in hand and we just went with it.

“He eventually ended up taking four wickets and I snapped up six, my best figures ever thus far,” Genis said while fondly recalling his favourite moments as a Middies’ cricketer.

Talented, with a love for the game, and with a drive to succeed, Genis has clear goals for the future. “My dream is to play for the Proteas one day, or just any form of professional cricket. I just want to play cricket, that’s all,” he said.

It was only a matter of time before Kwena Maphaka pulled on the test whites for South Africa.

The Lions‘ left-arm fast bowler, a grade 12 learner from St Stithians College, has been handed a maiden test call-up for the second test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.

Maphaka cracked the nod in place of the injured Gerald Coetzee, who suffered a groin strain on the fourth day of the first test at Kingsmead in Durban, which South Africa won by 233 runs.

Maphaka’s inclusion comes in the same year as his record-breaking T20 debut, which saw him become the youngest South African player to don the green and gold at the age of 18 years and 137 days to improve the record previously held by fellow St Stithians‘ old boy, Kagiso Rabada, the long-time spearhead of the Proteas’ test bowling line-up, who debuted at the age of 19.

Maphaka doesn’t have a lot of red-ball experience. That’s an understatement. He has, in fact, played only one first-class game for the Lions, against the Warriors, at The Wanderers. He must have, however, impressed the red-ball coach, Shukri Conrad, and the selectors enough, with returns of 3/24 in the first innings and 3/54 in the second innings to help the Lions to a comfortable 200-run victory.

Conrad is no stranger when it comes to guiding youngsters out of their comfort zone. Although the young quick might be on drinks duty only during the second test, to get a feel for the test set-up, the possibility exists that he could make his test debut in a partnership with Saints’ Old Boy, Rabada.

The second test starts on 5 December and will be played at St George’s Park in Gqerberha, where test victories have been hard to come by for the hosts.

South Africa’s last test victory at the venue was back in 2022 when they thumped Bangladesh with 322 runs. Before that, they tasted success four years earlier in the “Sandpapergate” series against Australia, winning by six wickets.

Cricket South Africa‘s annual national weeks for boys get underway on 10 December, with the u16 event visiting Pretoria this year.

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Playing at two of the Jacaranda City’s best venues, St Alban’s College and Tuks, 16 regional teams will compete over five days from 10-14 December, contesting five 50-over matches each.

The regions are divided into two groups based on their performances over the last couple of years, with the promotion and relegation matches, which will determine 2025’s groups, taking place on the last day.

The Platinum Group clash on the first day at the Tuks Oval between the hosts, the Titans, and Boland, from down south, will set the tone for the week. Gauteng will be challenged by one of the dark horses, Eastern Province, on the same day.

On day two, KwaZulu-Natal supporters will be licking their lips with the province’s sub-unions, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal and KwaZulu-Natal Inland, facing off, also on the Tuks Oval. Both will already have a tough encounter under the belt, with Coastal facing Western Province and Inland testing their skills against the Garden Route Badgers on day one.

Free State, who were relegated to the Gold Group from the Platinum Group in 2023, will aim to open their account on a positive note against Kei. The showdown between Easterns and Mpumalanga is expected to be the highlight of the Gold Group action on day one. They’ll be duelling on Tuks C. Northern Cape‘s challengers will be North West, while a strong Limpopo side faces a serious test from Border.

Matches are scheduled to begin at 09:00 every day.

Groups

Platinum

Pool A: KZN Coastal, KZN Inland, Western Province, Garden Route Badgers.
Pool B: Titans, Gauteng, Eastern Province, Boland.

Gold

Pool A: Free State, Easterns, Mpumalanga, Kei.
Pool B: North West, Border, Northern Cape, Limpopo.

Fixtures:

Day One – 10 December 2024
KZN Inland vs Garden Route Badgers (St Alban’s – Oval 1)
KZN Coastal vs Western Province (St Alban’s 2)
Eastern Province vs Gauteng (St Alban’s 3)
Titans vs Boland (Tuks 1 – Oval)
Free State vs Kei (Tuks B)
Easterns vs Mpumalanga (Tuks C)
North West vs Northern Cape (Tuks D)
Border vs Limpopo (Tuks E)

Day Two – 11 December 2024
Titans vs Eastern Province (St Alban’s 1 – Oval)
Gauteng vs Boland (St Alban’s 2)
Free State vs Mpumalanga (St Alban’s 3)
KZN Coastal vs KZN Inland (Tuks 1 – Oval)
Garden Route Badgers vs Western Province (Tuks B)
North West vs Limpopo (Tuks C)
Northern Cape vs Border (Tuks D)
Kei vs Easterns (Tuks E)

Day Three – 12 December 2024
Titans vs Gauteng (St Alban’s 1 – Oval)
KZN Coastal vs Garden Route Badgers (St Alban’s 2)
North West vs Border (St Alban’s 3)
KZN Inland vs Western Province (Tuks 1 – Oval)
Free State vs Easterns (Tuks 2)
Mpumalanga vs Kei (Tuks C)
Eastern Province vs Boland (Tuks D)
Northern Cape vs Limpopo (Tuks E)

Regardt Kleingeld gaan die skilderagtige Stellenbosch verruil vir Potchefstroom wanneer hy hom by vanjaar se Bowl-kampioen in die SDC Noordvaal Cup, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, aansluit as die nuwe direkteur van rugby.

Kleingeld het sedert 2020 ‘n vername rol gespeel in die ontwikkeling van Paul Roos Gimnasium se junior rugbystrukture. Alvorens die skuif na die Wes-Kaap, het hy ook diep spore by Hoërskool Ben Vorster in Tzaneen getrap.

Daar het hy, soos by Paul Roos, die o.15- en o.16-spanne afgerig, waaronder ‘n paar groot name, insluitende die Goue Leeus se Voorspeler van die Jaar in vanjaar se Curriebeker-reeks, Renzo du Plessis, vir die Vossies uitgedraf het.

Gedurende sy tyd in Limpopo was hy, tesame met sy goeie reputasie as afrigter, ook een van die provinsie se voorste skeidsregters en het hy menige groot skole- en klubwedstryde behartig.

In sy vier jaar op Stellenbosch het Kleingeld met twee onoorwonne seisoene in sy vier jaar as afrigter en indrukwekkende oorwinnings oor die magtige Grey Kollege van Bloemfontein, in 2022, 2023 en 2024 op junior vlak, gespog. Hy en mede afrigter, Cobus Grobler, was dus van die min afrigters in die land wat die Bloemfonteiners, weg en tuis kom klop.

Kleingeld en Grobler se rekord spreek van self, met slegs drie nederlae en een gelykop uitslag in die vier jaar wat die duo saam afgerig het.

Hy was ook deel van die afrigtingspaneel wat vanjaar SA Rugby se o. 16 hoë-prestasie oefenkamp na die jaarlikse Grant Khomo-week gelei het. In sy vrye tyd het hy sy liefde vir afrigting voortgesit deur vir Dagbreek Manskoshuis van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch se o. 20-span tot twee agtereenvolgende titels in 2023 en 2024 te neem.

Sy hope ervaring en rugbykennis is beslis ‘n groot aanwins vir die Potchefstromers, verál met die oog daarop om hul Noordvaal-titel in 2025 suksesvol te verdedig, asook die wortel voor die neus wat promosie na die kompetisie se Skild-afdeling betref.

“Ons is opgewonde om Gimmies se nuutaangestelde rugby-direkteur aan die Gimmie-gemeenskap bekend te stel. Regardt en sy gesin verruil die een Gimnasuim vir die ander. Hy was sedert 2020 by Paul Roos Gimnasium betrokke. Ons sien uit dat hy deel van die Gimmie-familie gaan word,” lees die Gimmies se Facebook-plasing.

Kleingeld sê hy is baie opgewonde vir die nuwe uitdaging en dat hy niks minder as oneindige dankbaarheid vir almal by die “Roos” het nie.

“Potchefstroom Gimnasium was nog altyd ‘n sterk skool gewees en ek sien uit om by hulle aan te sluit en, nie net goeie rugbyspelers, maar ook goeie jong manne, deur alles was ek geleer het, te kweek,” het Kleingeld bygevoeg.

Hoërskool Middleburg proved their cricketing superiority in Mpumalanga throughout the 2024 calendar year.

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They underlined those credentials on Saturday once more when they capped off an incredible season with a second Mpumalanga title, following on their success in the 50-over Mpumalanga League, by winning the provincial final of the Schools SA20 on Saturday.

Playing away from home against Hoërskool Secunda, whom they had lost to by eight wickets earlier in the competition, Hoërskool Middelburg opted to bat first, knowing that, with runs on the board, scoreboard pressure could play a key role in the final of the T20 competition.

The home side, however, bowled well up front, keeping the Middies’ openers quiet while picking up four wickets in the first 10 overs, which, in turn, exerted heavy pressure on the visitors.

Secunda star and Khaya Majola representative, Alonzo Blankenberg, was the pick of the home team’s bowlers, snapping up 2/12 in two overs.

Luan Swart produced a similarly good spell, conceding only 10 runs from three overs while also removing the Middies’ top scorer, Wian van Heerden. Van Heerden however, inflicted significant damage before he was sent back to the pavilion. With his side struggling on 71/6, the lower-order batsman added a match-winning 33 runs, batting at just over a run a ball.

Hendre Nel seemingly loves the fight as he, too, fought back with a quickfire 23 runs, while opening batsman, Daryl Chirumitikwa, kept things together, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 23 as the trio helped the visitors to 138-7 in their 20 overs, which gave them a fair total to defend.

Then, in the field, the Middies’ strong bowling attack took matters into their own hands. The partnership between Nel (2/19) and Gavin Genis (2/12) yielded success for the umpteenth time this year.

Genis picked up two quick wickets, while Nel got rid of Blankenberg to leave the home side wobbling within the first two overs. A run out of Live Betela, by Wian van Heerden, turned the screws even tighter as the scoreboard reflected a grim 18/4 for the hosts.

Walt Vorster, batting ninth in the order, gave Secunda a glimmer of hope. He blasted five sixes and one four in an innings of 39 runs, which came off only 18 balls, before he fell victim to the pick of the Middies’ bowlers, Herman Potgieter. He put the final nail into the Secunda coffin by knocking over three of the four remaining wickets to guide the visitors to a 16-run victory.

Summarised scorecard

Hoërskool Middelburg 138/7 (Wian van Heerden 33, Hendre Nel 23, Daryl Chirumitikwa 23*; Alonzo Blankenberg 2/12); Hoërskool Secunda 122/10 (Walt Vorster 39; Herman Potgieter 3/22, Gavin Genis 2/12, Hendre Nel 2/19). Hoërskool Middelburg won by 16 runs.

Muhammed Bulbulia, the experienced Fields College star, will lead the North West side at the annual Khaya Majola Week in Cape Town.

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Bulbulia grabbed the spotlight with some great performances at last year’s week in Makhanda, which ended with him being selected as captain of the SA Colts side. Later, in January, he led the Western Superstars at the Cubs Week.

The top-order batsman also toured Zimbabwe with the SA u19 Emerging side in September, where he performed well. His form in Cape Town will be crucial to his side’s success.

Alongside him, Hoërskool Wesvalia‘s talented all-rounders, Marneau Dreyer and Luan Vermeulen, will provide further batting depth. Dreyer, also vastly experienced, will, just like Bulbulia, return for a second Khaya Majola stint.

Katlego Molefi, Tumelo Makume, and Katlego Moloto will aim to fly the flag high for the Matlosana Hub, which, with three, boasts the most representatives in the squad.

Hoërskool Klerksdorp‘s Brandon Mathysen and Stephan Janse van Rensburg also cracked the nod, while Ona Senokwane, from Hoërskool Lichtenburg, takes his place in the lineup after an impressive year with the ball for the Liggies.

Berno de Klerk, the captain and opening bowler of Potchefstroom Volkskool, has also earned a second visit to the week, while Potchefstroom Gimnasium all-rounder Caiden Seleka, the younger brother of North West Dragons‘ leg-spinner Caleb Seleka, joins De Klerk for a second Khaya Majola Week. They’re the sole representatives of their schools.

The North West Schools SA20 victors, Hoërskool Rustenburg, have Nathan Rossouw in the squad. His all-round abilities will certainly strengthen the side, especially his batting in the middle order.

NORTH WEST SQUAD

Luan Vermeulen (Wesvalia), Muhammed Bulbulia (Fields College), Stephan Janse van Rensburg (Hoërskool Klerksdorp), Katlego Molefi (Matlosana Hub), Tumelo Makume (Matlosana Hub), Ona Senokwane (Hoërskool Lichtenburg), Berno de Klerk (Potchefstroom Volkskool), Marneau Dreyer (Wesvalia), Caiden Seleka (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), Paballo Molebetsi (Ikageng Hub), Nathan Rossouw (Hoërskool Rustenburg).

Management

Head Coach: Andre de Beer
Assistant Coach: Corne April
Manager: Oupa Mongale