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Saints Christian School has a strong claim to being the best girls’ cricket side in South Africa. That’s a badge they wear with grace and honour.

For the Potchefstroom outfit, the mission is not only about talent, but also about nurturing the next generation.

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

There was only one right option, and that’s the one Josh Edwards took. The number six batsman didn’t swing for the fences, try to drive the ball for a four, or manipulate it into the gap for a two. He worked it for a single and put Josh Wilkie on strike.

Wilkie dispatched the next three deliveries to the boundary. Those 12 runs confirmed the Eastern Cape Iinyathi u16 opener as the first player to register a triple century at a Cricket South Africa national week. His 182-ball 357 eclipsed Janneman Malan’s 214 runs in 213 balls at the u17 week in 2013.

Wilkie, who struck 41 fours and 18 sixes in his record-breaking knock, maintained a steady pace throughout his innings. He faced only 45 deliveries to get to 100 runs, needed another 53 balls to get to 200 runs, and took 54 more to reach his triple century.

His blistering knock catapulted EC Iinyathi to 517 runs in 50 overs and was a perfect way for the Selbone High learner and the Iinyathi to get the 2025 u16 week underway. It also felt as if the teenager’s budding cricket career had been building up to that moment.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment he fell in love with cricket, but once the bug bit, Josh Wilkie never turned back. Ross, his father, has fond memories of returning from work to find his son, around four or five years of age, waiting with a bat and ball for a session in the backyard.

“I always opened the front door and found him waiting for me to play cricket,” said Ross.

The weekends were the best days of the week for Josh Wilkie. The youngster spent hours on the side of the cricket field at Beacon Bay Country Club imitating his father, who is also a wicketkeeper and top-order batsman.

“The more time he spent around the field watching the game of cricket, the more he desired to develop as a cricketer,” Chantelle, his mother, shared.

Josh would have spent all his afternoons in the nets if he could. He took every opportunity to attend club practice sessions, where he would studiously watch the adults go through their paces before replicating their shots while getting throwdowns from Ross.

“My role model is AB de Villiers because of the way he can hit the ball wherever he wants and can play around the whole field and how strong his mind is,” Wilkie revealed.

Like his hero, he is blessed with incredible hand-eye coordination and hand speed. It was a feature of his batting that Ross noticed early and nurtured in their net sessions and backyard matches.

The rest of the world was first treated to Josh Wilkie’s ball striking ability when he struck a well-made 108 for Hudson Park u10A in a match against Stirling‘s u10A side.

Wilkie is a consummate all-rounder. He also bowled and bagged a four-wicket haul in that contest against Stirling u10A. While his primary roles in the Selborne College side are as a batsman and wicketkeeper, he has not allowed his bowling skills to atrophy. He still works on them.

“At school, he plays cricket and rugby and has represented his province in the u13 and u16 age groups. However, his main passion, however, lies with cricket,” Ross said.

Josh, who made his debut for Selborne’s 1st XI in his Grade 9 year, has been a fixture at the top of the order for the school. Since announcing himself to the team with an unbeaten 34, he hasn’t looked back.

“He has continued his fine form from the u16 week and was one of our key contributors in the Eastern Cape final round [of the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two competition]. He scored three fifties, notably 54 not to lead Selborne through to book a spot in Pretoria,” Murray Spence, the Selborne Master of Cricket, recalled.

Ross and Chantelle try to be present at each of Josh’s matches, accompanied by Samuel, their younger son. The family beams with pride each time Josh performs well. They also provide him with the necessary reality checks that keep him grounded, even if that comes after he scored a record-breaking 357.

“As parents, our biggest highlight is a primary school game where he walked for nicking the ball, and also being able to let others see his faith in Christ through his sporting abilities,” Ross and Chantelle revealed.

The opener arrives at the Switch Schools SA20 Final Showdown with a clean slate. His mind won’t be cluttered with memories of his past exploits. His primary motivation will be to contribute meaningfully, with the bat and as a wicketkeeper, to Selborne’s campaign.

Jeppe is raring to go and eager to test their skills against some of the nation’s top T20 sides at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown, from 4-7 March in Pretoria.

The Black Caps, who will represent the Central Gauteng Lions region, put together an outstanding qualifying campaign that was built on their team’s all-round abilities. No single player dominated for them in the preliminary rounds, but all departments contributed to their victories at different moments.

“I think the boys are ready. I think we’ve got a full-strength squad. Our batsmen are in a good space, and we’ve got a nice mixture of spin and pace in the bowling department,” Casey Arnold, the Jeppe Director of Cricket, told SuperSport Schools Plus.

In preparation for the tournament, Jeppe held a handful of alignment camps, where they reiterated their blueprints. They also played a warm-up match against the Clifton T20 champions, Hoërskool Waterkloof, to be exposed to a competitive match situation and test their readiness.

“We tried to simulate a match situation against a good team,” Arnold explained. “They played really nicely against us, so we’re really happy with our preparation. We gave our bowlers jobs under pressure.”

That match was played on Jeppe’s old first team field, and there was a good reason for that choice. It offers more pace and bounce than their other fields. The Tuks Main Oval, where they will play some of their games, also offers pace and bounce.

“We’re expecting it to be a little bit more lively than our bottom field. That’s why we chose it for the preparation,” Arnold said.

He and head coach Craig Templeton will lead a squad that has engineered Jeppe’s transformation into a formidable cricket-playing school. In recent years, the school has won the Johnny Waite title and finished in the super-tough Wildeklawer T20.

The Black Caps will be led by their inspirational captain, Ryan Young. He has been outstanding for them with the bat, and he exhibits tactical nous in the middle of the park. Zizi Mkhize and Lincoln Casais are the other batsmen to look out for in the side. Both have produced sterling performances for the Black Caps over the past 18 months.

While it is easy to look at that trio as Jeppe’s stars with the bat, players like Aiden Reyneke, Vegas Scott, Daniel Keating, Phemelo Sekopane, and Ethan Ferguson have all played their part in either batting the Black Caps to victory or rescuing the side from a sticky situation. Many of those players also possess all-round talent and have taken crucial wickets, too.

Keegan Cockburn, who is enjoying a brilliant run of form with the ball, will spearhead the bowling attack. Jeppe’s experienced campaigners – Reza Ayob, Shreshth Kumar, and Goolam Ahmed – will help to provide them with control of the middle overs and at the death with their skilful bowling.

“I think we’re as ready as we’ll ever be,” Arnold said. “I think our biggest challenge is that we still have to play St. John’s in a 50-over match while trying to prepare for 20 overs. So, we’ve tried turning our training into hybrid sessions. But that’s why we try and keep our blueprints as simple as possible,” he concluded.

Jeppe tackles Graeme College in their first match on Wednesday, 4 March. In the afternoon, they face Affies on the Tuks Oval, when they’ll learn whether their focused preparations paid off or not. They complete their group assignments against Selborne College on Thursday, playing on the Tuks Oval again.

Then, the playoffs follow, from Friday, 6 March.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, 4 March
Jeppe vs Graeme, Tuks E, 09:30
Jeppe vs Affies, Tuks Oval, 14:00

Thursday, 5 March
Jeppe vs Selborne, Tuks Oval, 14:00

Squad: Reza Ayob, Goolam Ahmed, Lincoln Casais, Keegan Cockburn, Ethan Elliott, Ethan Ferguson, Daniel Keating, Shreshth Kumar, Zizi Mkhize, Aiden Reyneke, Vegas Scott, Phemelo Sekopane, Ryan Young.

Director of Cricket: Casey Arnold, Coach: Craig Templeton

After a nine-wicket loss in last year’s Western Cape Final of the Switch Schools SA20 against Victoria Hub Girls, HTS Drostdy made sure they were primed to give their best in Volume Two of the competition.

They worked on their game plans and stuck to them, tearing through their opposition in Phase One, which culminated in them bowling out the Paarl Hub for only 22. They chased down the victory target in only 3.5 overs to be crowned the Boland winners.

They made it clear in Phase Two that they intended to go all the way to the national final. In the opening round, they dismantled Stellenberg High, with captain Daneli Boshoff leading the bowling attack by capturing 2/6.

Then, they took only 7.2 overs to race to a nine-wicket win. Under the guidance of Head Coach Helena du Toit, they were every bit as dominant in the remainder of the second phase.

Linique Luck and Lizé de Waal provide Drostdy with a strong one-two punch, and both claimed four-wicket hauls in the Western Cape final against the Bridgton Hub.

Mi-Jeanne Botha has been a consistent contributor with the bat and top-scored twice in the three Phase Two games. Of course, the skipper, Daneli Boshoff, who has already earned her SA u19 colours, will be a key batting performer for Drostdy, too.

The Donkies are certainly stubborn in their conquest for glory. It will need something special from the opposition to steer them off the path to the Switch Schools SA20 national title.

They play their first match on the second day of the tournament, Thursday, 5 March, when they meet Limpopo’s Nkowankowa Hub in the morning. In the afternoon, they face Queens High.

On Friday morning, Drostdy completes their group games with an outing against Nomandi. The playoffs begin later that day.

FIXTURES

Thursday, 5 March
HTS Drostdy vs Nkowankowa Hub, Tuks C, 09:30
HTS Drostdy vs Queens High, Tuks E, 14:00

Friday, 6 March
HTS Drostdy vs Nomandi, Tuks C, 09:30

HTS Drostdy Girls’ squad: Ancha Groenewald, Anke Britz, Annika Lourens, Beate Burger, Daneli Boshoff, Dhane Woodland, Linique Luck, Lizé de Waal, Lugail von Willingh, Mia-Lize van der Vyver, Mine Jordaan, Robyn Rooi, Tharina Strydom.

Ryan Koekemoer, Selborne College’s head coach, and Murray Spence, the school’s Master of Cricket, will lead a balanced side that is eager to make its mark at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown in Pretoria from 4-7 March.

Selborne produced polished performances in the preliminary rounds of the competition, and they credit the Selborne Big Bash, which is modelled after the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Betway SA20, as one of the reasons for their success.

“The players are put into an auction and bought by teams, franchise owners, should I say, is very much like the SA20 and IPL,” Spence told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“I think that has rejuvenated cricket at Selborne and has certainly created excitement around cricket. And I think from that Big Bash weekend, the boys are just really keen to get out onto the park and showcase their skills in the weekend derbies.”

Another vital contributor to Selborne’s success has been a healthy team culture. Spence applauds the work Koekemoer has put into ensuring that the team operates in a positive environment that encourages learning and growth.

“We have made sure that the boys are happy on and off the field. The boys are not afraid to make mistakes, but rather they’re comfortable expressing themselves and showcasing the skills that they have,” Spence explained.

Spence and Koekemoer’s approach to guiding the team has not been a top-down situation where they dictate to the players what should be done. They have included input from the team, captained by Matt Hendry.

He has led the team exceptionally well and was also one of Selborne’s top batsmen in the preliminary rounds. At the Grey High Festival earlier in the season, he scored a magnificent hundred in the second innings of a two-day game against Potch Volkies, and he offers a well-rounded game.

As one of the top run-scorers in the Eastern Cape leg of the Switch Schools SA20 tournament, Hendry, along with Cian O’Niel and Josh Wilkie, is one of the primary drivers of Selborne’s batting.

O’Neil is destructive at the top of the order. More often than not, he puts Selborne on the front foot with his aggressive stroke play. He also pairs well with Wilkie, who can be equally severe on opposition bowlers.

Selborne’s bowlers to watch are Avethandwa Manyongo, Lwando Gwaza, and Daniel Tarr. Manyongo, who finished the 2025 CSA u16 Week as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker, leads their bowling attack. He bowls at a brisk pace and has several change-ups in his arsenal.

Gwaza will help Selborne to control the middle overs with his left-arm spin. He’s fearless and is not intimidated by attacking batsmen, and he goes into The Final Showdown in sublime form.

Referencing the third member of that bowling trio, Spence said: “Daniel Tarr has made a name for himself in indoor cricket. He was selected in the South African u15 side, and he has continued on that pathway in bringing his indoor skills to the outdoor game.”

Tarr’s variations will help Selborne to keep a lid on opposition batsmen who might have trouble reading his slower balls. Like Manyongo, Tarr is a brilliant bowler at the death. He is also handy with the bat and capable of providing Selborne with impetus at the backend.

“The cricket programme at Selborne has grown tremendously in the last few years. We are looking forward to being part of the finals in Pretoria,” Spence said.

Selborne’s challenge begins on Wednesday, 4 March, at 09:30, with a tough assignment against the local side, Affies, who will be one of the favourites to go all the way. In the afternoon, the East London school takes on their fellow Eastern Cape team, Graeme College, from Makhanda.

On Thursday morning, Selborne faces Jeppe. After that, on Friday, The Final Showdown moves into the playoffs.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, 4 March
Selborne College vs Affies, 09:30, Tuks D
Selborne College vs Graeme College, 14:00, Tuks D

Thursday, 5 March
Selborne College vs Jeppe, Tuks Oval, 14:00

Squad: Merrick Collins, Reid Drake, Josh Edwards, Rosh Els, Lwando Gwaza, Matthew Hendry, Thomas Lyon, Avetandwa Manyongo, Cian O’Neill, Titus Sweetnam, Daniel Tarr, Josh Wilkie, Afrika Xuba.

Master-in-charge of Sport: Murray Spence, Coach: Ryan Koekemoer

There will be no hiding place in the Alan Paton Memorial Hall (APH) from Friday to Sunday.

When Maritzburg College throws open its doors for the KZN Top 10 Basketball Competition from 27 February to 1 March, it won’t simply be hosting a tournament. It will be staging a statement event – one that brings together the province’s heavyweights and, in doing so, strengthens KwaZulu-Natal’s claim to being the epicentre of South African school basketball in 2026.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

And the hosts? They enter with a target firmly affixed to their backs.

College: The Benchmark

College’s credentials are undeniable. Unbeaten this season. Jenny Orchard Invitational champions. And, perhaps most ominously for their challengers, battle-tested in adversity.

On Sunday, in the APH, they delivered a performance that will live long in the memory. Twenty points down in the final against ESCA – who have made a strong case as being Gauteng’s best this year – they refused to blink. Slowly, methodically, possession by possession, they clawed their way back before surging to a 64-55 victory.

It was as much about belief as it was about basketball.

The Red, Black and White have turned their home court into a fortress. The APH doesn’t merely house games; it amplifies them. The support is relentless, the noise unyielding, and visiting sides quickly discover that momentum swings in the APH gather hurricane force.

Beating College anywhere this year has proved beyond every opponent. Beating them in Pietermaritzburg? That’s a different challenge entirely.

Yet this is no coronation procession. It is a gauntlet.

Westville and Kearsney: Proven Pedigree

If anyone understands the demands of climbing the mountain, it is Westville Boys’ High School.

The 2025 Jenny Orchard Invitational champions have pedigree and polish. They reached the semi-finals of this year’s edition before running into a red-hot ESCA outfit.

Westville’s blend of discipline and defensive intensity makes them perennial contenders, and they have enough scoring threats to trouble even the most organised defences.

Then there is Kearsney College, who carry the quiet menace of a side that knows it is better than its worst day.

Yes, College dismantled them 74-45 in a Jenny Orchard semi-final when everything the hosts launched seemed to land. But that result stands as an outlier in Kearsney’s campaign. Outside of that afternoon, they have been measured, physical, and upwardly mobile.

They reminded observers of their steel in the quarterfinals, edging a powerful Durban High School (DHS) side 72-67. That same DHS outfit ended Northwood’s six-year unbeaten home run this season– no small feat. In the bronze playoff, Kearsney pushed Westville to the wire before falling 68-71.

They are no one’s supporting act.

Northwood: Battle-Hardened Knights

Few teams arrive more hardened than Northwood School.

Before the St John’s Basketball Tournament in Johannesburg, the Knights had tasted defeat only once. Then, on opening day, came successive blows: losses to St Stithians and The King’s School Linbro Park.

For some teams, that would have been a psychological fracture. For Northwood, it was ignition.

They closed out pool play with authority, dispatching Falcon College and Curro Helderwyk, then scrapped their way past Pretoria Boys High in a play-in to secure a quarterfinal berth.

And from there? They surged.

Having fallen 48-35 to St Stithians on the first day of the event, Northwood flipped the script with a commanding 57-45 quarterfinal triumph. In the semi-finals, they toppled the hosts, St John’s College, 60-48 – a performance heavy with composure and conviction.

Only in the final did their charge stall, with Michael Mount Waldorf’s three-point barrage overturning an early deficit and leading to 64-55 win.

The lesson for KZN’s Top 10? Northwood has been wounded, tested, and refined. They are fallible, but they are formidable.

Depth in Red, Black and White

While College’s A side has commanded headlines, their depth may be the tournament’s most understated storyline.

In Johannesburg, at the St John’s Basketball Tournament, their B team entered the U19B division and emerged as the unbeaten champions, overwhelming St Peter’s College 61-36 in the final. Many of their opponents fielded first teams. It made little difference.

Should injuries intrude over the weekend, College’s cupboard is stocked.

That depth reinforces their status as favourites, but favourites can fall.

Saints, Scholars and Contenders

Among those looking to disrupt the hierarchy will be St Charles College.

The 2023 St John’s champions progressed through pool play in Johannesburg with a pristine record, beating St Alban’s, Parktown Boys’ High, and St George’s (Harare). Their run at the title ended against the eventual champions, Michael Mount, in the quarterfinals, and they ultimately claimed seventh place after a 43-34 win over St Stithians.

They possess structure, heritage, and a clear understanding of tournament basketball.

Hilton College and Michaelhouse will be eager to reset narratives.

Hilton’s 44-52 loss to St John’s in a play-in clash consigned them to a 12th-place finish in Johannesburg, while Michaelhouse endured a frustrating campaign, ending 16th after a 28-34 defeat to Jeppe.

Both schools have shown higher ceilings this season. Expect a response rather than resignation.

Clifton and Glenwood: Seeking the Spark

That leaves Clifton College and Glenwood High School, who have trailed the leading pack in 2026, but might they spring a surprise or two, given the challenging schedule?

When they met earlier this month, Glenwood edged Clifton 42-38 in a contest defined by grit rather than glamour. It suggested little separates them. Should they collide again, another tight encounter beckons.

The Bigger Picture

What makes the KZN Top 10 compelling is not simply the presence of quality teams. It is the density of them.

KwaZulu-Natal’s basketball ecosystem has never been stronger. Physicality, tactical nuance, and perimeter shooting have all evolved. The gap between first and eighth is slim; the margin for error is thinner still.

For three days, the APH will become a crucible.

College seeks validation of their number one aspiration. Westville and Kearsney eye redemption. Northwood arrives sharpened by adversity. Saints and scholars chase resurgence. Clifton and Glenwood hunt opportunity.

There are no easy draws. No comfortable quarters. No safe possessions.

Only questions.

By Sunday afternoon, one side will have answered them best.

FIXTURES

Friday, 27 February

St Charles vs Hilton, 14:00 (Game 1)
Maritzburg College vs Michaelhouse, 14:00 (Game 2)
Westville vs Northwood, 15:15 (Game 3)
Glenwood vs DHS, 15:15 (Game 4)
Clifton vs St Charles, 16:30 (Game 5)
Maritzburg College vs Kearsney, 16:30 (Game 6)

Saturday, 28 March

Hilton vs Westville, 09:00 (Game 7)
Glenwood vs Michaelhouse, 09:00 (Game 8)
Northwood vs Clifton, 10:15 (Game 9)
DHS vs Kearsney, 10:15 (Game 10)
St Charles vs Westville, 11:30 (Game 11)
Maritzburg College vs Glenwood, 11:30 (Game 12)
Hilton vs Northwood, 12:45 (Game 13)
Michaelhouse vs DHS, 12:45 (Game 14)
Clifton vs Westville, 14:00 (Game 15)
Glenwood vs Kearsney, 14:00 (Game 16)
St Charles vs Northwood, 15:15 (Game 17)
Maritzburg College vs DHS, 15:15 (Game 18)
Hilton vs Clifton, 16:30 (Game 19)
Michaelhouse vs Kearsney, 16:30 (Game 20)

Sunday, 1 March

A3 vs B4, 09:00 (Game 21)
B3 vs A4, 09:00 (Game 22)
A1 vs B2, 10:15 (Game 23)
B1 vs A2, 10:15 (Game 24)
A5 vs B5 (9/10) 11:30 (Game 25)
L21 vs L22 (7/8), 11:30 (Game 26)
L23 vs L23 (3/4), 12:45 (Game 27)
W21 vs W22 (5/6) 12:45 (Game 28)
W23 vs W24 (1/2) 14:00 (Game 29)

When the Chatsworth Hub takes to the Tuks C Field on the afternoon of Wednesday, 4 March, they’ll be led by Shreeya Subbiah, the side’s captain and leading player.

The Westville Girls’ High learner has already featured for the SA u19 side, and she will spearhead the KZN champions’ challenge for national glory at The Switch Schools S20 Volume Two Final Showdown in Pretoria.

Chatsworth has been untouchable in girls’ competition in KwaZulu-Natal in 2026, and their results during the earlier part of the competition included a 10-wicket demolition of last year’s KZN winner, Dr John L Dube. It should be noted, too, that the Chatsworth Hub did not contest the 2025 provincial competition.

Subbiah opens the batting for Chatsworth and forms a formidable partnership with Thando Matamela. Sadly, Matamela will miss The Final Showdown with a collar bone injury, which will thrust a little more pressure onto the shoulders of the Hub skipper, but she, no doubt, will be up for the challenge.

Chatworth Hub coach, Keshin Moodley, told SuperSport Schools Plus that Subbiah has been with the Chatsworth Hub since she was seven years old.

“She started as a fast bowler for me. Two years ago, we converted her into a spinner,” he said. The reason, he explained, was that Subbiah, after performing as a fast bowler, would need to immediately open the batting after the opposition had been bowled out. “That’s a bit tiring,” he commented.

Moodley described Subbiah’s batting very simply: “With her, it’s see ball, hit ball. That’s her strength! She has no weaknesses. If you bowl into her channels, out you go!

“If you look at the stats, you will see she is a very explosive player. She hits big sixes.”

Moodley said Subbiah isn’t the first player from the Chatsworth Hub to earn South African national colours. He cited Seshnie Naidu as an example of someone who recently passed through the school ranks. She represented SA u19 and has since represented the SA Women’s Team.

“My younger girls look up to these girls as inspiration,” Moodley said, “and that includes looking up to Shreeya Subbiah, too.

“As the captain of the team, they look to her as a source of support, a confidant.”

In Pretoria, Shreeya Subbiah will lead a side making its debut at the national final of the Switch Schools SA20, but they have 13 provincial players in their line-up, and with the captain setting the tone, they have the goods to challenge for the title.

Representing the North West senior ladies’ side adds a wealth of experience to any young cricketer’s CV, especially when it comes to possibly leading one’s school to a national title.

That is exactly what the young Diarabilwe Ngubeni will bring to Saints Christian School‘s campaign when the Central Region champions face seven of the country’s top teams at The Final Showdown of the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two competition at the University of Pretoria from 4-7 March.

Follow all the Switch Schools SA20 action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) and Channel 216. 

Ngubeni, from the Ikageng Township, in Potchefstroom, recently lifted the 50‑over trophy with the North West Dragons ladies’ franchise in Cricket South Africa‘s Division One.

The astonishing part is that she is only 15 years old, turning 16 later this year. Her talents, however, have been evident long before her breakthrough season with the Dragons.

In 2025, she represented North West at the u16 Girls National Week. Before that, she had already honed her skills in the Saints’ 1st XI since 2024, when she was only in Grade 8.

She has represented North West at every age‑group level during her young cricketing career.

Her all‑round ability, batting in the top order and bowling accurate off‑spin, has been integral to Saints reaching the final phase of the nationwide T20 competition once again.

In the final of the Regional Playoffs, at the JB Marks Oval, a venue she already knows all too well, against Witteberg, from Bethlehem, she produced a tidy return of 2/16 to help her side seal a 24‑run victory, while offering a clear glimpse of what may come next week.

Beyond her cricketing excellence, Ngubeni is also an exceptional footballer. She dreams of following in the footsteps of her hero, Ellyse Perry, the Australian great who excelled internationally in both cricket and football.

Her ambitions are as bold as her talent. She aims to represent both Banyana Banyana and the Proteas Women, highlighting what her peers and coaches already know – she is unafraid of chasing big goals, which exhibits a mentality essential for competing with and overcoming the country’s best.

Saints will be one of the first girls’ teams in action at The Final Showdown. They meet Queens High in their opener on the Tuks C Field at 09:30 on Wednesday, 4 March.

That’s followed by two matches on Thursday, 5 March. The Potchefstroom girls face Nomandi in the morning, then take on the Nkowankowa Hub in the afternoon. Both matches will be played on Tuks D.

The playoffs begin on Friday, 7 March.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, 5 March
Saints Christian School vs Queens High, Tuks C, 09:30

Thursday, 6 March
Saints Christian School vs Nomandi, Tuks D, 09:30
Saints Christian School vs Nkowankowa Hub, Tuks D, 14:00

Sixteen of the best water polo-playing boys’ schools in South Africa will go head-to-head this weekend for the KES Water Polo Tournament title in Johannesburg.

The prestigious annual tournament, hosted by King Edward VII (KES) in Houghton, runs from 27 February to 1 March, and all the action will be LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

In 2025, new champions were crowned after Bishops edged out Hilton College in a penalty shootout to win the trophy for the first time in the school’s history.

The boys from Cape Town will return to the tournament oozing with confidence after recently claiming their third SACS Nite Series title in a row.

Led by Jabulani Sibiya, they also won the SAC Shield in Makhanda earlier this year, and they are undeniably one of the title favourites.

Bishops are in Pool A and will face Clifton College and the Gauteng duo of St David’s Marist Inanda and Jeppe High School for Boys.

Clifton is the only side that’s managed to topple Bishops in a tournament this year. The Durban school produced an outstanding performance to claim an 11-7 win during the SAC Shield, so they’ll back themselves at KES.

St David’s won’t be pushovers either. Coach Dean Whyte‘s side has played some entertaining water polo of late, and they retained the Vides Water Polo Tournament title in East London a fortnight ago.

They did, however, go down to St John’s College 8-9 in the final of the KES Night League.

Pool B is arguably the group of death and should deliver cracking matchups from the outset. It features Rondebosch Boys’ High, St John’s College, Hilton College, and Pretoria Boys High.

‘Bosch and St John’s will be the two favoured to progress, but a resilient Hilton side will try to pull off a surprise.

The hosts, KES, will battle South African College High School (SACS), Selborne College, and Westville Boys’ High in Pool C.

After falling in the semi-finals of the SAC Shield in January, SACS has been steadily improving. They enjoyed a good run in their Nite Series, and they will be eager to ride that momentum to bigger and better things at KES.

Pool D also features a juicy line-up, with St Stithians College, Kearsney College, St Andrew’s College, and Paul Roos going toe-to-toe.

There will be very little room for error in the group, with all the teams posing threats. Kearsney hasn’t played the tournaments that some of the other sides have played, but they have been working very hard to prepare for the event. They will back themselves to go far after finishing in fifth place last year.

Coach Nic Rodda‘s men have been in winning form this year, and they recently claimed the Kearsney Night League title after beating Hilton 11-6 in the final.

Paul Roos, meanwhile, will be aiming to emulate their performances at the Vides Water Polo Tournament.

There, coach Vaughn Marlow’s troops reached the final and just missed out on the trophy after going down to St David’s by a single goal in the title game.

St Andrew’s and St Stithians will bring their respective A-games, which makes Pool D a highly competitive group.

The action kicks off bright and early on Friday with a Gauteng derby between St David’s Marist Inanda and Jeppe High School for Boys at 07:00.

POOLS

Pool A: Bishops, St David’s Marist Inanda, Clifton College, Jeppe High School for Boys
Pool B: Rondebosch, St John’s College, Hilton College, Pretoria Boys High
Pool C: SACS, KES, Selborne, Westville Boys High
Pool D: St Stithian College, Kearsney College, St Andrew’s College, Paul Roos

FIXTURES

Friday, 27 February

07:00 – St David’s Marist Inanda vs Jeppe High School for Boys
07:50 – Rondebosch Boys’ High School vs Pretoria Boys High School
08:40 – King Edward VII School vs Westville Boys’ High School
09:30 – St Stithians College vs St Andrew’s College
10:20 – Bishops Diocesan College vs Clifton College
11:10 – St John’s College vs Hilton College
12:00 – South African College High School vs Selborne College
12:50 – Kearsney College vs Paul Roos Gymnasium
13:40 – Jeppe High School For Boys vs Bishops Diocesan College
14:30 – St John’s College vs Pretoria Boys High School
15:20 – South African College High School vs King Edward VII School
16:10 – Kearsney College vs St Andrew’s College
17:00 – St David’s Marist Inanda vs Clifton College
17:50 – Rondebosch Boys’ High School vs Hilton College
18:40 – Westville Boys’ High School vs Selborne College
19:30 – St Stithians College vs Paul Roos Gymnasium

Saturday, 28 February

07:00 – Clifton College vs Jeppe High School For Boys
07:50 – Rondebosch Boys’ High School vs St John’s College
08:40 – King Edward VII School vs Selborne College
09:30 – St Andrew’s College vs Paul Roos Gymnasium
10:20 – St David’s Marist Inanda vs Bishops Diocesan College
11:10 – Pretoria Boys High School vs Hilton College
12:00 – South African College High School vs Westville Boys’ High School
12:50 – Kearsney College vs St Stithians College

Playoffs

13:40 – Pool 1 Third vs Pool 2 Fourth
14:10 – Pool 2 Third vs Pool 1 Fourth
14:40 – Pool 3 Third vs Pool 4 Fourth
15:10 – Pool 4 Third vs Pool 3 Fourth
15:40 – Pool 1 First vs Pool 2 Second
16:30 – Pool 2 First vs Pool 1 Second
17:20 – Pool 3 First vs Pool 4 Second
18:10 – Pool 4 First vs Pool 3 Second
19:00 – Loser 25 vs Loser 27
19:30 – Loser 26 vs Loser 28
20:00 – Loser 29 vs Loser 31
20:30 – Loser 30 vs Loser 32

Sunday, 1 March

07:00 – Winner Plate QF 1 vs Winner Plate QF 3
07:30 – Winner Plate QF 2 vs Winner Plate QF 4
08:00 – Cup QF 1 winner – Cup QF 3 winner
08:50 – Cup QF 2 winner – Cup QF 4 winner
09:40 – Loser 33 vs Loser 34
10:10 – Winner 33 vs Winner 34
10:40 – Loser Plate Semi 1 – Loser Plate Semi 2
11:10 – Winner Plate Semi 1 – Winner Plate Semi 2
11:40 – Loser 35 vs Loser 36
12:10 – Winner 35 vs Winner 36
12:40 – Loser Cup Semi 1 vs Loser Cup Semi 2
13:30 – Final

An outstanding showing at the recent Independent Schools Cricket Festival (ISCF) has KwaZulu-Natal’s representative at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown, Hilton College, in a confident frame of mind.

Coach David Griffiths‘ charges won all their games, the only team to achieve that feat, and they ended with an emphatic T20 victory over the hosts, St Alban’s College, who had enjoyed a strong showing themselves, after the first three days of limited-overs cricket.

Interestingly, an analysis of the top 20 batsmen and top 20 bowlers at the ISCF revealed that Hilton’s success was built not upon a couple of individuals delivering top performances match after match. Rather, it showed that the Midlands’ school has many sources of success. Focusing on stopping one or two players is not a good option for Hilton’s opposition. They could try to do that, but they would likely be stung by another source.

In 2025, Hilton narrowly missed out on reaching phase three of the nationwide competition. At the KZN regional final, they twice suffered last-over losses to Northwood, including in the final.

In January 2026, they reversed those losses, scoring an emphatic 33-run win over the Knights before going on to overpower Westville Boys’ High in the final, a team which they had beaten on day one of the three-day event.

Central to those victories were the performances of Hilton College captain, Robert Burman. He lit up Westville on the opening day, smashing 101 off only 63 balls, and made a more measured 54 from 52 against Northwood to set his team on the path to the title.

While Burman has gone on to enjoy a more solid than spectacular season, his impact as a captain has been immense. He plays the game with a smile on his face, and that enjoyment of his leadership assignment has led to a tight team culture. Hilton plays the game with a sense of excitement and joy. Those are qualities that can take a team a long way.

In 2025, Hilton College had a persistent weakness. They were prone to batting collapses. Not so in 2026. Their opening pair, Barack Munawa and Ben Wilson, has been one of their strengths. It should be noted, though, that Munawa tends to open with Burman in the T20 format, and they, too, have been solid.

Wilson, the team’s wicketkeeper, bats lower down the order, where he is one of the toughest batsmen to dislodge. He’s not a big striker of the ball, but he keeps the scoreboard ticking and finds the boundary often enough while doing that.

That trio – Burman, Munawa, and Wilson – has each scored over 500 runs in 2026. “What we have done well is have good partnerships with Barack and Ben,” coach Griffiths said. “Then with Barack and Rob in the short format.”

“Then, we’ve taken wickets in the powerplay, which is where you win the game. If you can take wickets there, it slows things down properly.”

Hilton’s attack is spearheaded by fast bowler Sechaba Gude, who, along with Luke Wilson, serves as one of the side’s two vice-captains. Gude took 49 wickets in 2025, but already has 30 in 2026.

“We’ve had good plans, and the boys have executed them really well,” Griffiths added.

“We have fielded really well. We have set a high standard in the field to get one good run out or a good catch every game. It makes it a little easier for the bowlers if they need to get only eight wickets.

“You hope you can get a run out, and we have had a lot of them this year. We average out to around one a game. I think everyone in the team has been involved in a run out, which is huge.

Someone who bats both up and down the order, who was arguably Hilton’s standout at the Independent Schools Cricket Festival, is Obakeng Motsepa. He’s a slight young man, but a talented all-rounder, capable of turning the course of a contest on his own, with either bat or ball. Twice in Pretoria, he was named the man of the match.

“MJ [Motsepa] is coming into his own now,” Griffiths said. “He has over 300 runs and 20 wickets this year. That’s good. In the last four games, he’s been outstanding.

The city where the ISCF was hosted is noteworthy: Pretoria. The Final Showdown takes place at the University of Pretoria, from 4 March, and the ISCF was ideal preparation for Hilton College. They’ll capitalise on those good recent experiences on the capital city’s pitches at the national final.

Coming back to Obakeng Motsepa, if it’s all-rounders you’re after, his teammate, Sange Qangule, has enjoyed his fair share of matches in which he has excelled with both bat and ball. When he gets going, he scores rapidly. Usually, he and Sechaba Gude open the bowling, and they bowl a heavy ball, hitting the bat hard. If they enjoy early success, Hilton becomes a very difficult team to beat. The other player who takes the new ball is Obakeng Motsepa.

“Sean Burman has come into the team and bowled really well,” Griffiths said of his left-arm seam option.

On the batting front, Luke Wilson, a hard-hitting all-rounder, can take the game away from the opposition if he settles, while James Peattie, Hilton College’s Head Boy, as good leaders do, tends to excel when the challenges are at their toughest.

Cameron Hargroves is another player who has become a more consistent all-round contributor in recent outings, and he bears watching, as does Ryan Jellis, another multi-skilled performer. Anthony Crossley, with a couple of telling spells at the ISCF, showed he has the goods to make an impact, too.

One player missing from the ISCF was off-spinner Benoit Rey, a consistent wicket-taker, a decent batsman, and a leader within the team. An outstanding scrumhalf, he was attending a rugby camp. His inclusion, though, is a big boost to Hilton College’s chances at The Final Showdown. They have a fully fit squad.

Hilton opens their challenge against the Western Cape champion, Paarl Boys’ High, on Wednesday, 4 March. Later that day, they face St Andrew’s School, the team that beat them in the national final of the Switch Schools SA20’s forerunners, the Coca-Cola T20, in 2018.

On Thursday, 5 March, Hilton tackles the CSA Hub XI. The playoffs follow the next day.

There are few opportunities for slip-ups, and a strong start would go a long way towards making a deep run at The Final Showdown. It all begins on the Tuks Oval for Hilton, at 09:30 on Wednesday.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, 4 March

Hilton College vs Paarl Boys’ High, Tuks Oval, 09:30
Hilton College vs St Andrew’s School, Tuks E, 14:00

Thursday, 5 March

Hilton College vs CSA Hub XI, Tuks B, 14:00

SQUAD

Barack Munawa, Ben Wilson, Robert Burman, Cameron Hargroves, Obakeng Motsepa, Luke Wilson, Sechaba Gude, Sange Qangule, Benoit Rey, Ryan Jellis, Sean Burman, James Peattie, Anthony Crossley.