Author: wilouw

The Free State contingent that will be competing at the 2023 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week boasts a core group of six veterans who took part in the event last year.

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Samokelo Lepheto, Sicelo Matayi and Johnathan Muller are the three players from Grey College who were part of the team in 2022.

This year, they are joined by five of their schoolmates, which gives the Free Staters the advantage of familiarity with one another’s games.

The other three returnees are Andre du Preez and Dakalo Leketa from St Andrew’s School, along with HTS Louis Botha‘s sole representative, Khanyisile Nondwangu.

Muller and Leketa both earned a place in the SA Colts team after their performances at the event last year.

Connor Nel and Jordan van den Berg complete Saints’ quadruple selections. On the rugby field, Nel captained the St Andrew’s 1st XV and enjoyed a good season as a counterattacking fullback.

Although there is no Free State player currently in the provisional SA u19 squad for January’s ICC u19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka, there will be a couple of players in the team who the selectors will place under the microscope in Makhanda in December.

The Team

Free State u19: Dale Williams (Grey College), Jordan van den Berg (St Andrew’s School), Samokelo Lepheto (Grey College), Juan Viljoen (Grey College), Connor Nel (St Andrew’s), Andre du Preez (St Andrew’s), Khanyisile Nondwangu (HTS Louis Botha), Sicelo Matayi (Grey College), Johnathan Muller (Grey College), Dakalo Leketa (St Andrew’s), Ruben Maree (Grey College), Darion Rabie (Grey College), Kamohelo Mokoena (Grey College).

8 Grey College | 4 St Andrew’s School | 1 HTS Louis Botha

Free State u16: Adem Niewoudt (Grey College), Naude Botha (St Andrew’s School), Eddie Mabena (Grey College), Cullen Marais (Grey College), FG Botha (St Andrew’s School), Lebohang Mohloni (HTS Sasolburg), Henru de Wet (Grey College), Nikhil Sukraj (Sasolburg High), Cullen Kakora (St Andrew’s School), Otto Krause (Grey College), Onalenna Molale (Kagisho Comprehensive), Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College), Kabelo Mosia (Hoërskool Henneman).

Northern Cape has selected a youthful squad for the 2023 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week, with Monnapule Jansen from Emang High School, Deshwin Willemse from Carlton van Heerden and Northern Cape High‘s Tumiso Seetelo being the only three returning players from last year’s group.

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Jansen has consistently been a fixture in the provincial teams across various age categories, and Seetelo, who shared the field with him in the U16 cricket team in 2022, is a talented athlete, who was also selected for the Northern Cape U18 hockey team this year.

Even though none of their teammates have prior experience at the Khaya Majola Week, the squad shows impressive cohesion, which has been forged over at least four years of them playing together at various events.

Since as early as 2019, the duo from Diamantveld, Simon Liversage and Luhan de la Rey, have been selected for teams with their counterparts from Northern Cape High, Junaid Jacobs and Yazeed Kajee, as well as Oratile Jubeni from Lesedi High School and Malan Lubbe from Hoërskool Kalahari. They first played together in the Northern Cape u13 team and established a connection that has endured over the years.

It’s that collective unity and their youthful skill set which Northern Cape hopes will drive them towards success in Makhanda from the 16th to the 20th of December.

The Team

Northern Cape u19: Monnapule Jansen (Emang Mmogo High School), Gift Seane (Tshireleco High School), Tumiso Seetelo (Northern Cape High), Luhan de la Rey (Diamantveld), Kaiden van Wyk (Diamantveld), Simon Liversage (Diamantveld), Junaid Jacobs (Northern Cape High), Malan Lubbe (Kalahari), Oratile Jubeni (Lesedi High School), Caleb Willemse (Hoërskool Kathu), Deshwin Willemse (Carlton van Heerden), Yazeed Kajee (Northern Cape High), Thabo Obusitse (Floors High School).

3 Diamantveld | 3 Northern Cape High | 1 Carlton van Heerden | 1 Emang Mmogo High School | 1 Floors High School | 1 Hoërskool Kathu | 1 Kalahari | 1 Lesedi High School | 1 Tshireleco High School 

Twelve top cricketing schools from across South Africa will converge on Gqeberha on the 11th of January 2024 for the annual Grey Cricket Festival, turning the picturesque city into a cricketing hub and providing a thrilling start to the year.

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Hosted alternately by Bloemfontein’s Grey College and Gqeberha’s Grey High School, the 2024 edition will unfold in the Eastern Province, with the opening match scheduled between the hosts, Grey High School, and Menlo Park on Thursday, the 11th of January, on Pollock Field.

Grey College gets their season underway with a clash against Selborne on Victoria Park. Meanwhile, their neighbours from Bloemfontein, St Andrew’s School, take on Jeppe in what promises to be an exhilarating match.

The hosts continue their campaign in a timed format match against King Edward VII from Johannesburg before switching to a 50-over game against Glenwood on the Saturday. They finish with one final test on the Sunday against Jeppe.

Grey High boasts a proud cricketing tradition, with their alumni including Graeme and Peter Pollock, Wayne Parnell and Jacques Theron. Most recently, they have also produced the likes of Tristan Stubbs, who made his international debut for the Proteas in 2022, and Colin Ackermann, who earned his national stripes for the Netherlands in 2019.

The yearly festival will provide an early glimpse at some of the stars of the future as the participating schools include some of the finest nurseries of schoolboy cricket talent in the country.

The provisional fixtures:

11 January 2024 (Time cricket)

Grey High School vs Menlo Park (Pollock Field)
Grey College vs Selborne (Victoria Park)
Pearson vs KES (Pearson)
St Andrew’s School vs Jeppe (Old Grey)
Framesby vs Namibia Invitational (Framesby)
Potchefstroom Volkskool vs Glenwood (Kolisi Field)

12 January 2024 (Time cricket)

Grey High School vs KES (Pollock Field)
St Andrew’s School vs Potchefstroom Volkskool (Victoria Park)
Pearson vs Namibia Invitational (Pearson)
Framesby vs Glenwood (Framesby)
Grey College vs Menlo Park (Old Grey)
Jeppe vs Selborne (Kolisi Field)

13 January 2024 (50 overs)

Grey High School vs Glenwood (Pollock Field)
Selborne vs Potchefstroom Volkskool (Victoria Park)
St Andrew’s School vs Namibia Invitational (Old Grey)
Pearson vs Grey College (Pearson)
Framesby vs Jeppe (Framesby)
KES vs Menlo Park (Kolisi Field)

14 January 2024 (T20/50 overs)

Grey High School vs Jeppe (Pollock Field)
KES vs Potchefstroom Volkskool (Victoria Park)
Pearson vs Menlo Park (Pearson)
Namibia Invitational vs Selborne (Kolisi Field) (T20)
Framesby vs St Andrew’s School (Framesby) (T20)
Glenwood vs Grey College (Old Grey) (T20)

The Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers team for the 2023 Coca-Cola u19 Khaya Majola Cricket Week has been announced and Hoërskool Outeniqua‘s Charl Marais has been chosen to captain the team at the prestigious festival in Makhanda in December.

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Marais, accompanied by Zander Nel and Stefan May, makes Outeniqua the school with the most players in this year’s side.

They will have a vital role to play, drawing on their collective experience. Nel and Marais are both playing for a second successive year and, while this is May’s debut at the tournament, he has been in impressive form for their first team since last year.

Adding more depth to the squad are Elro Spies from Knysna High School and Thurstin Murphy from Bridgton Secondary, two players who boast significant experience as part of the u19 regional team since 2021. Their wealth of knowledge and skills is expected to form the bedrock of the team’s performances.

Hoërskool Punt from Mossel Bay is the only other school with more than one player in the Badgers’ squad. Zane Greyling, Punt’s captain, and the promising young Jessie Lewis, who has already earned a spot in the Badgers Academy team, add depth and talent to the line-up.

After missing out on last year’s tournament because he broke a finger on the final day of trials, Greyling, who is also a top academic performer at Punt, will be eager to showcase his cricketing abilities before matriculating. Fittingly, Lewis takes over the reins from his captain in their first team next year.

Oakdale‘s Corné Kennedy is another exciting prospect who will be available for selection again in 2024.

Sibabawle Msi from Jonga High School has been an integral part of the Thembalethu Hub team this year and is another seasoned campaigner who has made his way through the age grades since playing for the SWD u15 team in 2019.

George High School‘s Davino Koert also received his provincial call-up back in 2017 for the SWD u13 team. Bridgton’s Murphy has shared the field with both Kennedy and Msi since then, forming a strong camaraderie.

Hlumelo Bontiya (Thembalethu High School), Lee-Mar Pedro (Hoërskool Outeniqua) and Sebastian Bell (York High School) are not included in the squad but will be ready if needed as the non-travelling reserves.

The Teams

Garden Route Badgers u19: Charl Marais (Hoërskool Outeniqua), Enathi Khishini (Thembalethu High School), Zander Nel (Hoërskool Outeniqua), Stefan May (Hoërskool Outeniqua), Elro Spies (Knysna High School), Davino Koert (George High School), Zane Greyling (Hoërskool Punt), Jessie Lewis (Hoërskool Punt), Igcobe Khisini (Imizama Yethu High School), Corné Kennedy (Oakdale), Thurstin Murphy (Bridgton Secondary), Sibabawle Msi (Jonga High School), Josh Karelse (Protea High School).

3 Hoërskool Outeniqua | 2 Hoërskool Punt | 1 Bridgton Secondary | 1 George High School | 1 Imizama Yethu High | 1 Jonga High School | 1 Knysna High School | 1 Oakdale | 1 Protea High School | 1 Thembalethu High School 

Garden Route Badgers u16: Joof Enslin (Hoërskool Outeniqua), Keano Coericius (Bridgton Secondary), Daniel du Plessis (Hoërskool Outeniqua), Kurt Botha (George High School), Hlumelo Hlangani (Glenwood House), Singumzi Blou (Glenwood House), Lastio Williams (Aurial College), Danie Venter (Hoërskool Outeniqua), Liviwe Bawulie (Thembalethu High School), Luaan Erasmus (Glenwood House), Ducayne Plaatjies (Bridgton Secondary), Huisamen Trent (Hoërskool Outeniqua), Kwetana Aluve (Jonga High School).

4 Hoërskool Outeniqua | 3 Glenwood House | 2 Bridgton Secondary | 1 Aurial College | 1 George High School | 1 Jonga High School | 1 Thembalethu High School 

Emerging as an exciting talent for the future, Riley Norton has already caused a stir this year and left an indelible mark on the South African schools’ sports scene. Now he has an opportunity to make history as he prepares for 2024.

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Born in Stellenbosch and schooled at Rhenish Primary before finding his way to the prestigious Paul Roos Gimnasium, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers, Norton has cricket and rugby in his DNA.

“We’re a big sports family, we love all South African sports. Cricket and rugby are the main two,” Riley explained.

His father, Chris Norton, a former Western Province rugby player, instilled a love of sport in the household and from a young age, Riley’s life revolved around playing.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been holding a cricket bat in the backyard and bowling at my brothers and friends or going to the field to play some rugby. Everything’s just always been about sports for me,” he shared with enthusiasm.

Over the years, and with the support of his family and his alma mater, this enthusiasm has blossomed into an exhilarating young talent that has already earned him a lot of positive attention from across the country.

He now stands a realistic chance of achieving something only 13 other South Africans have been able to achieve before him, that of earning South African Schools colours for both rugby and cricket. If he manages the feat, he will also be the third forward on the esteemed list.

Crucial to Riley’s journey has been the exceptional support system provided by his family. “I have awesome parents (Chris and Andi) and two brothers (Kei and Tim) who really look out for me, and they’re always the people I turn to first when things aren’t going right. I’m lucky to have them,” he said. “They’ve pushed me and helped me a lot through the last couple of years”.

The camaraderie extends to Paul Roos, where he describes the sporting culture as feeling like a second family.

“There’s so much support between the families, the coaches, and the guys at school, there’s always someone ready to help you, “said Norton, crediting Erhardt Muth and Corne Uys, his rugby coaches, and Deon Botes at the cricket programme, for their guidance. “Whenever I have something on my mind, they are always available, and they make it easy to come to them.”

The fact that he has attained such a high standard of performance at such a young age underlines the remarkable talent and work ethic Norton possesses.

Astonishingly, he began playing first-team cricket at Paul Roos in grade eight. Since 2022, he has captained the side.

Norton was named the u16 Player of the Year at the National Week in 2021, where he captained the Boland side. He has continued to hone his skills, and last year he made the SA Colts team after the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week. He was subsequently selected as a non-travelling reserve for the SA u19 tour of Bangladesh in July. At the beginning of 2023, he was also the second leading wicket-taker at the Cubs Week.

Acknowledging the CSA Talent Acceleration Programme‘s role in pushing him outside his comfort zone and enhancing his skills under the guidance of the country’s top mentors, he said: “All the TAP camps are great. It’s the best coaches in the country, who come together just to focus on us and help us develop, so you really do learn a lot there.”

While his foot has been firmly in the door of the national cricket side all year, and he has already been named in the 18-man provisional lineup for the 2024 u19 ICC Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka, he has smashed through the wall into the SA Schools Rugby team with his outstanding performances for Western Province at the Craven Week in George this year.

Being far removed from the backyard battles where his love for sport was formed comes with a certain amount of pressure, but Norton said he chooses to be positive and to make the most of his chances.

“It’s such a privilege to be playing sports, so I actually enjoy all the challenges that come with it, because I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”

Reflecting on his cricket idols, he looks up to Kagiso Rabada for his passion and skill. “Ever since I first saw him play, I wanted to bowl like him,” Riley confessed. In rugby, he admires Pieter-Steph du Toit, highlighting the impact and work ethic of the World Cup-winning Springbok.

Off the field, Riley relaxes with activities like golf, where he can unwind with friends and family. “I’m not very good,” he laughed, “but it’s nice to go out with some mates or family and play. I also love being outdoors, so I enjoy anything like fishing or hunting, where I just get to chill in nature.

“I definitely want to play sports after school, but I haven’t decided yet between cricket or rugby. It all depends on the opportunities that arise, but I definitely want to keep playing sports,” Riley affirmed, leaving the door open for a future that holds boundless possibilities.

As he stands on the brink of a potentially historic year, one thing is certain: with numerous chapters left in his story, Riley Norton has already demonstrated tremendous potential, and the sky is truly the limit for this emerging South African sports phenom.

SA Schools cricket and rugby:
1974	Lee Barnard	King Edward VII
1974	Malcolm Thompson	Maritzburg College
1979	Chris Smit	Grey College
1981	Gerbrand Grobler	Grey College
1982	Helgard Muller	Grey College
1985	Frans Cronjé	Grey College
1987	Udo Goedeke	Maritzburg College
1987	Errol Stewart	Westville Boys’ High
1991	Greg Miller	Grey High School
1992	Herschelle Gibbs	Diocesan College
2002	Adrian Penzhorn	Maritzburg College
2023	Riley Norton	Paul Roos Gimnasium

Jim Fouché en Fichardtpark sal mekaar weer ontmoet in die Stadsbeker eindstryd nadat hule hierdie naweek vir Sentraal en Landboudal onderskeidelik kon elimineer op die Gonval-store Park in Bainsvlei.

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Die Fichie-leeus kon ‘n onvergeetlike jaar voortsit met ‘n sterk 52-0 sege oor Sentraal.

Hul held, die slot, Jaco Gobbelaar, wie Fichardtpark se eerste SA Skole speler ooit is, kon weer uitblink vir sy span in wat moontlik sy laaste wedstryd in die Fichie-trui was.

Grobbelaar kon ‘n driekuns aanteken om sy indrukwekkende totaal selfs nog meer op te stoot. Hierdie was moontlik sy laaste wedstryd omdat hy van volgende naweek af deelmaak van die SA Skole span wat teen Engeland en Frankryk gaan meeding.

Die Fichies se Cravenweek skrumskakel, Devanté Claassen, was ook weer op sy stukke. Claassen en sy blitsige vleuel, Edward Mpinga, kon elkeen ook twee drieë bydra.

Jim Fouché beleef ook ‘n sterk seisoen, en verdien hul plek in die eindstryd na ‘n oortuigende 39-12 oorwinning teen Landboudal.

JF se kaptein en Cravenweek haker, Stefan Venter, is week na week hul voorste driedrukker en kon Saterdag weer twee keer oor die lyn kom.

Sy wakker klein skrumskakel, Tristan van der Walt, was net so effektief op die dag, en kon 19 punte byvoeg met ‘n drie en vier doelskoppe en twee strafdoelle.

Toe Fichardtpark vroeër in die seisoen teen Jim Fouché gespeel het was daar slegs ses punte tussen die twee spanne met Fichardtpark wat 39-33 gewen het.

Die eindstryd beloof dus om ‘n epiese herontmoeting te wees om te bepaal wie die liga-wenners is, asook om te sien of Jim Fouché hul bure se droomseisoen kan bederf.

Hendrik Potgieter van Reddersburg en Zastron het Dinsdag hul laaste ligabepaling teen mekaar gespeel, voordat hulle Saterdag weer in die B-liga halfeindstryd ontmoet het.

Zastron het daardie eerste wedstryd 23-14 gewen, maar Hendrik Potgieter het hul spel in die halfeindstryd gelig om dit ‘n baie harder stryd te maak.

Ondanks die feit dat die manne van Reddersburg teen halftyd met 14-12 die voorsprong gehad het, kon Zastron hergroepeer en genoeg doen om die oorwinning in die tweede helfde te steel met 27-24.

Hulle sal dan in die eindstryd teen Brandfort te staan kom.

Zastron se onderkaptein en skrumskakel, Reinico Nel, speel ‘n groot rol vir sy span. Nie net behartig hy hul stelskoppe nie, maar hy diregeer ook sy span se aanval baie effektief.

Brandfort verdien hul kans om vir die titel te veg na ‘n baie sterk vertoning in die tweede helfte teen St Andrews om met 43-34 te wen.

St Andrews beleef ‘n moeilike seisoen, maar het by die Onafhanklike Skole Rugbyfees wat hulle gedurende die vakansie aangebied het gewys dat hul rugbyprogram aan die groei is deur om ‘n sterk Kearsney College tot die einde te laat sweet voordat die Bloemfonteiners uiteindelik met 10-5 die knie moes buig.

Brandfort en St Andrews het verlede naweek ook kragte gemeet in hul ligabepalings, daar was baie minder om die twee spanne te skei in daardie wedstryd, met Brandfort wat 14-12 kon wen nadat die spanne gelyk was op 7-elk na die eerste 35 minute.

Die manne van Brandfort het egter hul spel gelig in die halfeindstryd en dit lyk asof dit moeilik gaan wees om hulle te keer hierdie jaar.

Die veelsydige senter, Fanie van Rooyen, het uitgestaan in daardie wedstryd met twee pragdrieë vir sy span.

St Andrews se groot stut, Matthew Simon, het ook ‘n fenomenale wedstryd gehad en kon drie keur oor die doellyn bars om sy span in die wedstryd te hou, en sy heelagter, Connor Nel, het met al sy pogings pale toe geslaag.

 

Die puntemakers:

A-liga:

Fichardtpark 52 (31) – Drieë: Jaco Grobbelaar (3), Devanté Claassen (2), Edward Mpinga (2), Duan Viviers. Doelskoppe: Dailen Geldenhuys (6). Sentraal 0.

Jim Fouché 39 (17) – Drieë: Stefan Venter (2), Heinrich Hattingh, Altus du Plessis, Tristan van der Walt. Doelskoppe: Van der Walt (4). Strafdoelle: Van der Walt (2) Landboudal 12 (7) – Drieë: Marius Etzebeth, Frans Homsek. Doelskop: Etzebeth.

B-liga:

Brandfort 43 (14) – Drieë: Fanie van Rooyen (2), JC Venter, Barend de Klerk, Janco Snyman,  Gustav Maree. Doelskoppe: Henre Smith (5). Strafdoel: Smith. St Andrews 34 (17) – Drieë: Matthew Simon (3), Mlungisi Lepesa. Doelskoppe: Connor Nel (4). Strafdoelle: Nel (2).

Zastron 27 (12) – Drieë: Frans Botha, Lecha Leballo, CJ Bouer, Mawethu Magudela. Doelskoppe: Reinico Nel (2). Strafdoel: Nel. Hendrik Potgieter 24 (14) – Drieë: Tumi Pholoane (2), Cedric Booysen. Doelskoppe: Sterling Batties (2), Jandré van Niekerk. Strafdoel: Batties.

Ander uitslae:

A-liga:

o.19 – Landboudal II 27, Fichardtpark II 5; Jim Fouché II 40, Sentraal II 0; Fichardtpark III 13, Landboudal III 0; Sentraal III 12, Jim Fouché III 5.

o.16 – Jim Fouché 50, Sentraal 0; Fichardtpark 41, Landboudal 13.

o.15 – Jim Fouché 12, Landboudal 10; Fichardtpark 11, Sentraal 3.

o.14 – Jim Fouché 57, Landboudal 0; Sentraal 10, Fichardtpark 7.

B-liga:

o.16 – St Andrews 25, Hendrik Potgieter 13; Brandfort 24, Zastron 10.

o.15 – St Andrews 22, Sand du Plessis 0; Bloemfontein Hoër 10, Brandfort 10.

In the world of cricket, dedication begets talent, and one young player exemplifying this equation is Esa Gangat. At only 17 years old, Esa, a student at Pearson High School in Gqeberha, has already made significant strides towards a promising future in cricket.

His cricketing journey has been shaped by a household deeply immersed in the sport.

“My family always loved cricket,” Esa reminisced. “Growing up, cricket would always be playing on the TV, and my Dad would always be throwing to my brothers and me in the garage or the backyard.”

This familial cricket atmosphere became the breeding ground for Esa’s passion. With two older brothers, Aarif and Umar, a younger brother Sulaymaan, and a sister Aaminah, cricket became more than just a game – it became a family tradition.

Esa’s earliest memories revolve around friendly competitions, where sibling rivalry fuelled a desire to produce the best results. He proudly stated, “We all play cricket, and it’s always a competition between one another.”

Light-heartedly, he commented, “I’d like to think I’m the best, but my little brother, Sulaymaan, isn’t far behind.” With pride, he added, “He’ll be representing EP at the CSA National u16 Week next month.”

Though he is evidently still very much connected to his roots, Esa’s cricket journey has extended far beyond backyard games. He has represented Eastern Province at various age group levels and played for the Eastern Warriors Cubs team in 2022 and 2023.

However, the highlight of his career so far was representing the SA u19 team in Bangladesh in July, and he’s hoping for future opportunities to represent the country at the game he loves.

“I also play for Gelvendale Cricket Club, which is where I played most of my cricket before school and gained a lot of knowledge, especially having played with some of the first-class cricketers there.”

Recently, he has been named in the 2023 Eastern Province team for the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week for a second year in succession. He’ll be a key figure in an experienced squad.

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As Esa approaches his matric year, he is looking forward to the coming season, saying, “I just want to go out there, do my best, and enjoy my final bit of school cricket.”

The best might still lie ahead, but having been part of the first team since he was in grade nine, his journey has already been filled with many highlights. His standout memory? “My first-team debut, when I got a five-wicket haul against Grey High School,” he recalled with enthusiasm.

Pearson has become a second home for Esa. “My friends always joke, saying if I’m not at home I’m either in the cricket nets or the gym at school,” he said.

Under the guidance of Mr. Brad Dolley, a coach and teacher at the school, Esa has found a mentor who not only understands the game but also shares his specialisation in left-arm orthodox spin bowling. “Having someone who’s played the game, and knows the game as well as he does, has been very valuable for me as a player,” Esa acknowledged.

As a role model, he admires Keshav Maharaj, a fellow left-arm orthodox spin bowler, for his approach to the game and control when bowling.

Like any journey, Esa’s hasn’t been without its challenges. From playing in higher age groups at a young age, to handling the pressures associated with that, he credits his family for providing unwavering support. “My parents and siblings are always there for me, and that helps me deal with the pressures a lot better,” he said.

Obsessed with the game, he admitted that he doesn’t really have any hobbies outside of cricket and spends all his time on the sport.

“When I’m not playing cricket, I’m watching it on television.”

With such a single-minded focus and an unwavering commitment to making the best of his natural talent, the future holds great promise for Esa Gangat.

Eastern Province has announced a formidable line-up for the 2023 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week, featuring a blend of seasoned returnees and promising new faces.

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Esa Gangat, Corby van Heerden, Matthew Beamish, Simnikile Soyaya, Russel Petersen, Aphiwe Mnyanda, and Olwakhe Goqorza headline the list of returning players, having previously showcased their skills at the 2022 event in Stellenbosch.

Grey High School and St Andrew’s College have contributed six of the players in the 13-man lineup. Matthew Poole, the captain of College’s first team, joins forces with Sibusiso Mxube, who captained the EP u16 team in 2021, and the experienced Matthew Beamish.

Beamish and Poole have set the stage ablaze this year, with both achieving back-to-back centuries at the Makhanda Schools’ T20 Cricket Festival in January.

The younger William Beamish has been selected for the EP u16 team.

Grey’s contingent, featuring Jean Upman, Kian Cambier, and the returning Corby van Heerden, further strengthens the squad.

Pearson’s left-arm spinner, Esa Gangat, who is also a more than useful batsman, will have a central role to play. In July, he represented the SA U19 team in Bangladesh. He also appeared for the SA Emerging team in the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division Two competition.

The squad also welcomes back Simnikile Soyaya from Muir College for another campaign.

However, the veterans in this year’s team are Graeme College’s Aphiwe Mnyanda and Olwakhe Goqorza and Russel Peterson of Victoria Park, who are returning for a third Khaya Majola Week.

Mnyanda, Graeme College’s Deputy Head Boy, has earned his stripes, representing the SA U19 team in the CSA T20 knockout in both 2021 and 2022. Goqorza was selected for the SA Colts team in 2021.

The new faces in the squad this year include Westering’s Head Boy for 2024, Hamza Khan, and Daniel Pienaar’s Nolan DiPalo, who has been prolific with the bat this year, averaging 71 runs and scoring more than 1100 in total, including a massive innings of 250 against Nico Malan.

This EP squad has some serious firepower and will be seeking to make some noise in Makhanda in December.

The Team

Eastern Province: Nolan DiPaolo (Daniel Pienaar THS), Sibusiso Mxube (St Andrew’s College), Matthew Beamish (St Andrew’s College), Jean Upman (Grey High School), Russel Peterson (Victoria Park), Aphiwe Mnyanda (Graeme College), Kian Cambier (Grey High School), Matthew Poole (St Andrews College), Simnikile Soyaya (Muir College), Olwakhe Goqoza (Victoria Park), Esa Gangat (Pearson), Corby van Heerden (Grey High School), Hamza Khan (Westering High School).

3 Grey High School | 3 St Andrew’s College | 2 Victoria Park | 1 Daniel Pienaar THS | 1 Graeme College | 1 Muir College | 1 Pearson | 1 Westering High School

St Andrew’s College clinched a 68-run victory over Pearson in their own backyard on Saturday, thanks to a spectacular batting performance by William Beamish.

College posted a formidable total of 310/7, powered by a standout performance from Beamish, who scored an impressive 124 runs off only 117 deliveries. The stalwart opener for the team from Makhanda blasted 14 fours and four sixes during his century.

The hosts finally stemmed the flow of runs when Jordan Collier pouched a misjudged shot by Beamish from a delivery by Sulaymaan Gangat but, by that point, the visitors had already powered their way to 247-3 with 10 overs still to bat.

Murray Wilson made a strong impact, contributing a further 62 as St Andrew’s breached the 300-mark. The only matriculant in their team, Matthew Poole, made sure his final performance in the first side was worth remembering, making 41, with six boundaries.

Despite the scale of the challenge that faced them, Pearson showed promise as they set about the run chase, with Esa Gangat spearheading their batting efforts. He had taken three wickets in the St Andrew’s innings, but it was the bat in hand that he truly impressed.

Scoring 75 at nearly a-run-a-ball, Gangat provided a cornerstone for Pearson to launch a fightback. Around him, though, batsmen came and went.

College’s leading bowler, Laurie Apps, who had already taken three wickets in the match, finally brought Esa’s innings to an end when he caught him off a delivery by Beamish.

Even after losing their top scorer with more than 10 overs to play and left with only a single wicket standing on 187/9, Pearson showed great determination and made St Andrew’s work hard for the win.

Demonstrating stubborn grit, Breydan Andrews and Thomas van Antwerp saw Pearson through to 242 before they were parted. The tailenders smashed nine boundaries between them in nine overs, and Andrews finished unbeaten with 39 from 40 deliveries.

Ultimately, it was not enough though, as St Andrew’s secured the victory with about three overs left in the game.

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Summarised scorecard

St Andrew’s College 310/7 (William Beamish 124, Murray Wilson 62, Matthew Poole 41, Extras 35; Esa Gangat 3/57, Jordan Collier 2/27); Pearson 242 (Esa Gangat 75, Breydan Andrews 39, Jude Septoo 27, Jayden Groenewald 25; Laurie Apps 3/46, William Beamish 2/25, Alastair de Kock 2/57). St Andrew’s College won by 68 runs.

In a gripping clash in Makhanda, Graeme College triumphed over their neighbouring rivals, Kingswood College, securing a six-wicket victory, thanks to a stellar bowling performance by Aphiwe Mnyanda.

His onslaught began right from the first delivery of the match, with which Mnyanda captured the crucial opening wicket.

His relentless assault continued unabated, putting Kingswood under immense pressure early on at a precarious 13/3.

After briefly yielding the spotlight to Kevin Geldenhuys, who chipped in with two crucial wickets, Mnyanda resumed his wicket-taking success, finishing the day with the exceptional figures of 6/24.

Michael van Staden offered some resistance for Kingswood with a hard-fought 25 runs, but they had to settle for a modest 121 all out, losing their last wicket in the 35th over.

Luphelo Mdyesha then anchored the Graeme College reply with a measured knock of 39 as they chased down the 122 runs required for victory in less than half of their allotted overs, and with six wickets in hand.

Josh Loon bowled well, snaring two wickets for 21 runs, but the Kingswood bowlers were defending a modest total, which was simply not enough for them to contain their opponents.

Marcus Williams and Mnyanda played well in constructing a partnership that took them over the line, with Mnyanda, fittingly, sealing the win with a boundary after an outstanding individual contribution.

It was a good day at the office for Graeme College. They managed a clean sweep of all the A team games, and their second team was also victorious.

Remember to submit your nominations for SuperSport Schools’ “The Class of ’23”. We invite you to be a part of this journey by nominating unforgettable moments, outstanding athletes, and inspiring coaches.

Your participation will help us recognise and showcase the true stars and stories of 2023. Submit your nominations on the following link – https://bit.ly/SSClassof2023.

Summarised scorecard

Kingswood College 121 (Extras 31, Michael van Staden 25; Aphiwe Mnyanda 6/24, Kevin Geldenhuys 2/31); Graeme College 122/4 (Luphelo Mdyesha 39; Josh Loon 2/21). Graeme College won by six wickets.