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The Eastern Storm and Boland are the only unbeaten teams left after Wednesday’s T20 matches at the CSA Girls u19 Week in Potchefstroom.

After shrugging off their opposition in the 50-over segment of the annual showpiece on the first two days, they carried their winning form into the T20s.

Mpumalanga, who struggled in the 50-over matches, proved that they were a powerhouse in the shorter format with back-to-back wins over the SWD Garden Route Badgers and the Northern Cape.

Easterns had a tough assignment on Wednesday morning at the Ibbies Oval when they squared up to the Lions, who worked their way to 109/6 in their 20 overs, courtesy of identical scores from Fay Cowling and Diara Ramlakan, who scored 38 runs each.

The Eastern Storm’s run chase was interrupted by rain. However, they were well ahead of the DLS par score when the heavens opened up, having charged to 63/1 in only 8.1 overs, which left them the convincing victors by nine wickets.

Captain Siphokuhle Masilela, then, led side against The Titans at the JB Marks Oval in the afternoon and opted to field first after winning the toss.

Simoné Lourens was up to the challenge, scoring a steady 50 from 42 deliveries to lead the Titans to 128/5. Mieke van Voorst, however, trumped Lourens’ effort with a half-century of her own – 64 not out off of 56 balls – to lead Easterns to 129/3 and a seven-wicket win.

Boland, who also breezed through their 50-over games, maintained their form with wins over The Dolphins and The Tuskers.

Melissa van der Merwe‘s side faced The Dolphins in their morning encounter. Behind Maria van der Vyver brisk 51 from 36 deliveries, which included five fours and two sixes, Boland tallied 130/8. When the rain came seven overs into The Dolphins’ reply, the Boland bowling attack had them on the ropes on 38/6, which led toa 17-run win on the DLS Method.

Van der Vyver continued her great form with a crucial 44 against the Tuskers as Boland put up 129/3 in 19 overs in their afternoon clash at NWU. Van der Merwe, then, took charge with the ball, with the Boland skipper capturing 4/12 in four overs to help restrict their KZN opposition to 99/6, which left the Capetonians the winners by 30 runs.

Mpumalanga showed that while the 50-over format was questionable, they are strong contenders in the T20s.

At NWU, Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout scored a wonderful 32-ball 42 to lead them to 106 before Neliswa Dlamini and Ashley Barnard put the screws on the SWD Garden Route Badgers to restrict them to 32/5 after nine overs in a rain interrupted contest. That left Mpumalanga with a 25-run victory.

Bezuidenhout then smashed an unbeaten 98 from 57 balls, blasting 10 fours and six sixes to lead Mpumalanga to 156/6 against the Northern Cape. Dlamini and Barnard were in form with the ball again and Northern Cape never got going. After 20 overs, they had been restricted to a meagre 41/6. That left Mpumalanga with an emphatic 124-run win.

MORNING RESULTS

Mpumalanga 106/10 (Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout 42, Queen Hlatshwayo 17*; Faithlynne Karelse 3/13, Caroldene Ewerts 3/22). SWD Garden Route Badgers 32/5 (Faithlynne Karelse 14, Jade West 4; Neliswa Dlamini 2/3, Ashley Barnard 2/8). Mpumalanga won by 25 runs (DLS).

Lions 109/6 (Fay Cowling 38, Diara Ramlakan 38; Mieke van Voorst 3/14, Ashliegh van Wyk 1/20). Eastern Storm 63/1 (Mpumelelo Mashiloane 28, Tamzyn Hartman 26*; Fay Cowling 1/13, Nosiphiwe Mashele 0/5). Eastern Storm won by nine wickets (DLS).

Titans 149/4 (Simoné Lourens 83, Jessica Staubli 42; Koketso Molefi 2/11, Kamogelo Kgaswane 1/19). North West 67/2 (Karabo Lemphane 29*, Karmen Marais 26*; Gabriella Sequiera 2/16, Kaylee Carr 0/4). Titans won by 30 runs (DLS).

Boland 130/8 (Maria van der Vyver 51, Daneli Boshoff 30; Ziya Mohanlall 3/23, Shreeya Subbiah 2/24). Dolphins 38/6 (Sinothando Matamela 10, Shreeya Subbiah 8; Janel Steenkamp 2/8, Maria van der Vyver 1/9). Boland won by 17 runs (DLS).

Free State 106/3 (Rethabile Nthoba 60*, Leoze Lottering 10; Ashline Titus 3/26, Chloe de Roubiax 0/5). Western Province 92/5 (Jemma Botha 29, Nuha Benjamin 29; Bokamoso Khalise 2/19, Boitumelo Mahlaba 1/3). Western Province won five wickets (DLS).

Eastern Province 98/8 (Danika Marais 17, Siseko Stamper 14; Murisi Rhikotso 3/8, Shelfa Mukhari 1/16). Limpopo Impalas 55/9 (Shelfa Mukhari 12, Baloyi Blondy 6; Musa Halana 3/6, Tara Nel 2/8). Eastern Province won by two runs (DLS).

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 63/3 (Onelisiwe Mxothwa 30*, Malakhiwe Somhlahlo 14*; Sihle Mamba 2/9, Jessica Candler 1/5). Tuskers 28/3 (Kiandri Bierbaum 13*, Mia van der Merwe 6; Malakhiwe Somhlahlo 1/15, Sinesipho Dondi 0/9). Tuskers won by seven wickets (DLS).

Kei 88/5 (Enkhosi Mditshwa 36*, Unako Nompandana 21; Chloe Nagel 1/4, Rethabile Motlhanke 1/11). Northern Cape 47/3 (Keziah Adams 18*, Chloe Nagel 13*; Thembakazi Gegesi 2/5, Nontokozo Mchiza 1/10). Kei won by 29 runs (DLS).

AFTERNOON RESULTS

Titans 128/5 (Simoné Lourens 50, Chanel Venter 29*; Jessica Scott 2/15, Mieke van Voorst 1/16). Eastern Storm 129/3 (Mieke van Voorst 64*, Tenique Williams 37*; Lerato Sibanyoni 2/12, Gabriella Etsebeth 1/12). Eastern Storm won by seven wickets.

Eastern Province 106/8 (Bianca Graham 26, Zara Bonnasse 20; Bokamoso Khahlise 3/12, Thando Nelane 1/12). Free State 110/3 (Leoze Lottering 41*, Rethabile Nthoba 25; Bianca Graham 1/6, Tara Nel 1/8). Free State won by seven wickets.

North West 129/3 (Deidré van Rensburg 63*, Tshegofatso Monyela 31; Leani Swanepoel 1/18, Mamly Raphela 1/30). Lions 132/5 (Diara Ramlakan 47, Fay Cowling 38; Thatho Kotokoane 2/19, Deidré van Rensburg 1/16). Lions won by five wickets.

Limpopo Impalas 92/5 (Tshepiso Dineo Motswi 31, Paballo Mogafe 17*; Ashline Titus 2/10, Jemma Botha 1/13). Western Province 93/2 (Imaan van Schalkwyk 44*, Danielleh Hugo 16*; Shelfa Mukhari 1/23, Rikhotso Murisi 1/30). Western Province won by eight wickets.

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 76/4 (Onelisiwe Mxothwa 27*, Malakhiwe Somhlahlo 17; Ziya Mohanlall 2/13, Shreeya Subbiah 1/4). Dolphins 77/1 (Shreeya Subbiah 34*, Sinothando Matamela 28*; Malakhiwe Somhlahlo 1/33, Sinesipho Dondi 0/9). Dolphins won by nine wickets.

Mpumalanga 165/6 (Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout 98*, Ntando Sithole 34; Rethabile Motlhanke 2/14, Onolo Mosabale 2/29). Northern Cape 41/6 (Olorato Lekhwi 12, Rethabile Motlhanke 10*; Neliswa Dlamini 2/3, Ashley Barnard 2/4). Mpumalanga won by 124 runs.

Boland 129/3 (Maria van der Vyver 44, Faith Williams 41*; Jessica Candler 1/4, Asanda Zondi 1/6). Tuskers 99/6 (Jessica Candler 29, Asanda Zondi 24*; Melissa van der Merwe 4/12, Daneli Boshoff 1/15). Boland won by 30 runs.

Kei 80/4 (Enkosi Mditshwa 43, Zikho Ketho 14*; Kamrodene Swartz 1/4, Faithlynne Karelse 1/4). SWD Garden Route Badgers 80/4 (Mi-Jeanne Botha 45, Tiche Frans 13; Yamkela Mnqabasha 1/12, Nontokozo Mchiza 1/13).

Super Over: Kei 2/2 (Enkosi Mditshwa 1, Chumani Majambe 0*; Tiche Frans 1/2). SWD Garden Route Badgers 8/1 (Mi-Jeanne Botha 6, Tiche Frans 1; Yamkela Mnqabasha 1/7). SWD Garden Route Badgers won via the Super Over.

BLOEMFONTEIN. – Defending champions of the Khaya Majola Cricket Week, Western Province, booked their place in this year’s semi-finals here with a 111-run victory over the Titans.

WP’s Paul James (102) and Daniel Bosman (93) spearheaded their team’s win. The pair shared a 143-run partnership for the fourth wicket on the Johan Volsteedt Oval.

Titans’ opening batsman Reuben van Zyl (110) scored the bulk of his side’s 200 runs with his century.

All matches on the second day of the tournament were shortened due to a morning rain shower. The clash between North West and Limpopo could not take place at all.

The hosts, Free State, came unstuck against Boland on the Mangaung Oval, losing by three wickets. The home side was bowled out for just 89 runs, with Gideon du Toit (3/9) and Taywin Adams (2/21) doing most of the damage with the ball.

Free State’s Otto Krause, at least, had reason to smile after claiming four wickets for just 22 runs.

Ben Hockley’s (133*) unbeaten century for the Tuskers was not enough to inspire his team to victory over Gauteng. He and Thandolwethu Zama (36) shared an opening partnership of 109 runs.

Gauteng were in deep trouble at 51/5 before their lower-order batsmen, led by Wade McQuinn (54*), managed to guide the team over the line with seven deliveries to spare.

Tahseen Hanslo (33), Corné Botha (52) and Sipho Potsane (29) supported McQuinn well and also maintained a healthy strike rate.

Eastern Province kept their semi-final hopes alive by edging the Dolphins by three runs. William Beamish (51) and Daveric Petersen (75*) shared an 87-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Beamish (3/28) also played a significant role in the victory with the ball.

Northern Cape defeated the Garden Route Badgers by eight runs. The winning team’s Faizaan Kajee (4/14) ran through the South Cape side’s batting line-up.

SA u19 player Enathi Kitshini (4/22) put in a strong performance for the losing team.

Summarised Scorecards:  

Western Province 311/6 (Paul James 102, Daniel Bosman 93, Daniel Cooke 24, Joshua Prince 21; Keamogetswe Semenya 1/38); Titans 200/9 (Reuben van Zyl 110, Extras 20; Daniel Bosman 2/27, Joshua Prince 2/37). Western Province won by 111 runs.  

Free State 89 (Christian Kind 35; Gideon du Toit 3/9, Taywin Adams 2/21); Boland 91/7 (Francois Prins 23; Otto Krause 4/22, Cullen Kakora 2/41). Boland won by three wickets. 

Tuskers 223/3 (Ben Hockley 133*, Thandolwethu Zama 36, Ethan Muir 23; Morteza Manack 1/21); Central Gauteng Lions 224/8 (Wade McQuinn 54*, Corné Botha 52, Sipho Potsane 29, Morteza Manack 23; Samuel Hughes 2/15, Rowen Rajah 2/31). Central Gauteng Lions won by two wickets. 

Eastern Province 208/6 (Daveric Petersen 75*, William Beamish 51, Dawid Vermaak 36*; Dayalan Boyce 2/27, Bandile Mbatha 2/47); Dolphins 205 (Ethan Cooper 57, Ismaeel Omar 33, Extras 30, Bonga Mapanga 27*, Seth Simpson 24, Josh van Biljon 20; William Beamish 3/28, Sulaymaan Gangat 3/34, Tylo Maleiba 3/36). Eastern Province won by three runs. 

Northern Cape 113 (Thidiso Mpofu 22, Extras 21; Enathi Kitshini 4/22, Daniel Venter 2/7); Garden Route Badgers 105 (Keano Coerecius 24, Extras 23; Faizaan Kajee 4/14, Tebogo Mgobo 2/21, Nathan Baird 2/23). Northern Cape won by eight runs.  

CSA Invitation XI 281/8 (Nkosana Sibiya 52, Bulumko Magatya 48, Corbin Tidbury 48, Riley Miller 45, Extras 41, Munib Ayob 20*; Lihlumile Ncukana 3/45, AJ Durrheim 2/63); Eastern Cape Iinyathi 78 (Aaron Senekal 30; Armin Snyman 3/12, Munib Ayob 2/13, Taine Havemann 2/18). CSA Invitational XI won by 203 runs. 

Easterns 143 (Xavier Coetzee 56, Paul Matlala 20; Herman Potgieter 3/17, Zeeshan Ebrahim 2/22, Leam van Zyl 2/31); Mpumalanga 147/8 (Mfundo Mthimunye 45, Bulelani Mugevu 37, Extras 21; Kristian du Plessis 2/13, Paul Matlala 2/22). Mpumalanga won by two wickets. 

The match between North West and Limpopo was abandoned without a ball being bowled. 

The 2025 Cricket South Africa (CSA) Boys u16 National Week wrapped up in Paarl after five exciting days on Sunday, 14 December. The event highlighted the impressive depth of emerging cricketing talent across South Africa.

Hosted at various venues, the tournament featured remarkable team performances, record-breaking individual feats, and fiercely competitive matches characterised by skill, discipline, and resilience.

Batsmen dominated the week, with several monumental innings setting a high standard for the competition. The standout performance came from the Eastern Cape Iinyathi‘s Josh Wilkie, who delivered a breathtaking 334 runs off just 174 balls, smashing 35 fours and 18 sixes, against Kei.

His extraordinary effort propelled the Iinyathi to a commanding total of 518/7, the highest score of the tournament and a truly unforgettable display of batting.

The South Western Districts (SWD) Garden Route Badgers also showcased their batting firepower against Kei, led by Daniel du Preez, with a stellar 174 off 114 balls. He received valuable support from Hanno Swart and Keaton Lambaatjeen to steer SWD to an imposing 414/4.

The Eastern Storm also had their moments of dominance, with Anthony Stockigt‘s 108 against the Badgers a special performance and Duan Maree‘s consistent run-scoring throughout the week another highlight.

Western Province‘s Ibraheem Taliep emerged as one of the tournament’s most dependable batsmen, notching a superb 110 against The Dolphins, along with multiple match-winning contributions.

The Central Gauteng Lions‘ Zuan Joubert and Zizi Mkhize consistently anchored their team’s innings, demonstrating their importance to their side’s successes in crucial situations.

Despite the batting-friendly conditions, bowlers still made their mark. Several players achieved outstanding five-wicket hauls, showing off their skill, both with spin and seam.

Notable performances included Oliver Whitaker’s 5/24 for Eastern Province in a win over The Lions, Christiano Moffat’s 6/14 in an Easterns’ victory over the Badgers, Benjamin Kazandjis’s 5/25 for Mpumalanga against Kei, and Corbin Tidbury‘s 5/18 in an Eastern Province defeat of Free State. Each of those decisive spells significantly impacted their matches.

All-round performances were a highlight of the week as well, with players like Tidbury, Avethandwa Manyongo, AW van der Merwe, and Rulo van der Merwe contributing effectively with both bat and ball across multiple fixtures.

Matches affected by Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) rules added an extra layer of tactical nuance to the results as teams demonstrated maturity in managing revised targets and handling pressure situations.

The competitive spirit of the week was further emphasised by several nail-biting finishes, which included North West’s narrow two-wicket victory over the Eastern Cape Iinyathi, and The Dolphins’ dramatic one-wicket win over North West on the final day.

Beyond the outcomes, the CSA Boys u16 Week once again served its vital role as a developmental platform, providing the young cricketers with invaluable exposure to high-intensity, multi-day competition.

With performances of such calibre, the next generation of players is poised to continue the tradition of excellence in the sport.

Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications

The 2025 Cricket South Africa u16 Girls National Week tournament brought together talented young cricketers from across the country. Over the course of the tournament, teams battled fiercely, showing off their abilities and striving for greatness.

In the Gold Group, The Tuskers emerged as the champions, demonstrating consistency and resilience throughout the tournament.

The SWD Badgers put up an impressive fight and finished in second after some commendable performances, and the Eastern Cape Iinyathi clinched the third position, thanks to their competitive spirit.

Western Province topped the Platinum Group with their stellar performances. The Central Gauteng Lions finished strongly and, as usual, were one of the title contenders. Third went to The Dolphins, who rounded out a competitive top tier.

The Titans and Eastern Province, meanwhile, retained their Platinum Group status.

The standout performer of the tournament in the Gold Group was Jeze Campher, of SWD, who was honoured in multiple categories.

She was named the Batter of the Week after she tallied an impressive of 206 runs across six innings, including a top score of 73 not out, and she also claimed the Bowler of the Week Award, capturing 16 wickets in just 25.5 overs, with a best performance of 3/7. That made her the obvious choice as the All-Rounder of the Week.

She was also an easy choice as the Player of the Tournament.

In the Platinum Group, Western Province’s Miya Lalor stood out. She was named the Batter of the Week, scoring 146 runs in six innings, with a highest score of 46. She also contributed with the ball, which led to her winning the All-Rounder of the Week Award and the Platinum Group’s Player of the Tournament.

Anelisa Mhlongo, from The Dolphins earned Bowler of the Week Award. She took an impressive 20 wickets in 31 overs, achieving a remarkable best of 6 for 11 against Easterns.

The tournament was highlighted by both individual brilliance and teamwork.

The sportsmanship displayed by the players was commendable, setting a positive example for future tournaments.

Congratulations to all teams and players for their outstanding performances and contributions to a thrilling tournament.

Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications

The South Africa u19 Women will host their Zimbabwe counterparts in a Youth T20 Tri-Series from 9-18 January next year, which will also feature an invitational Cricket South Africa (CSA) Youth XI.

All matches will start at 13:00 and will be played at the Chatsworth Oval, in Durban, with the final scheduled for Sunday, 18 January.

The Tri-Series comes with a year to go until the ICC Women’s u19 T20 World Cup 2027, as the future stars continue their preparations with vital match practice following several training camps held throughout 2025.

The SA u19 squad is headlined by Proteas’ Women starlet and wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso, who is joined by, among others, Jae-Leigh Filander, Mieke van Voorst, and Ashleigh van Wyk, all of whom were part of the squad that reached the Women’s u19 T20 World Cup final earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the CSA Youth XI squad includes players from the extended SA u19 training group, with former junior Proteas also added to bolster the squad.

SA u19 Women’s head coach, Dinesha Devnarain, commented: “I’m glad that we get a series in the beginning of the year. The series is imperative. We want to test our new pool of players.

“This is the crop we have for the World Cup. How do we best suit their skills? Put them under a little bit of strain in Durban conditions with the heat, and test their strength and conditioning capacity.

“Then we can slowly start introducing the brand of cricket, the culture, the characteristics that we look for and what we can develop.

“So, this series is paramount to where we are headed for the World Cup,” the coach added.

SA u19 Women’s Convenor or Selectors, AJ Rudman, said: “Competitive cricket at this level is crucial for the growth of our u19 women. Tours like this expose the players to playing conditions, higher intensity and pressure situations, which are all key in preparing them for a World Cup environment.

“It allows us to assess how they respond against quality opposition as we build towards the 2027 u19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

“The inclusion of the CSA Youth XI is designed to create a stronger, more competitive squad that adds real value by applying pressure, sharing experience and strengthening the pipeline between the u19 and emerging levels.”

SA u19 Women Squad 

Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Karabo Meso (Central Gauteng Lions), Anelisa Mhlongo (KZN Coastal), Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal), Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo), Shreeya Subbiah (KZN Coastal), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Cayleigh Wanckel (Eastern Province), Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KZN Coastal).

CSA Youth XI Squad

Jemma Botha (Western Province), Jezé Campher (Garden Route Badgers), Bruzaan Goosen (Eastern Storm), Simoné Lourens (Titans), Siphokuhle Masilela (Eastern Storm), Nthabiseng Nini (North West), Diara Ramlakan (Central Gauteng Lions), Puseletso Sekhute (North West), Gabriella Sequeira (Titans), Ashley Sibanda (Central Gauteng Lions), Oluhle Siyo (Western Province), Maria van der Vyfer (Boland), Diedré van Rensburg (North West), Chanel Venter (Titans).

SA u19 Women’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe u19 Women and CSA Youth XI

Friday, 9 January – 1st Youth T20 – SA u19 Women vs Zimbabwe u19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Saturday, 10 January – 2nd Youth T20 – SA u19 Women vs CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Monday, 12 January – 3rd Youth T20 – SA u19 Women vs CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Tuesday, 13 January – 4th Youth T20 – CSA Youth XI vs Zimbabwe u19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Thursday, 15 January – 5th Youth T20 – SA u19 Women vs Zimbabwe u19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Friday, 16 January – 6^th Youth T20 – CSA Youth XI vs Zimbabwe u19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Sunday, 18 January – Youth T20 Tri-Series Final – TBC (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

All matches start at 13:00.

Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications

Tiago Kahn, an outstanding centre-back from Curro Wilgeheuwel and the Panorama Football Club,recently won the SuperSport Schools Defender of the Year Award. Just last weekend, he was included in the SuperSport Schools Class of 2025.

SuperSport Schools Plus caught up with the 17-year-old to reflect on an extraordinary year.

Kahn said he was grateful for his recognition as the Defender of the Year, and for being included in the SuperSport Schools Class of 2025. He also extended his thanks to SuperSport Schools for providing opportunities for other young student athletes, like himself, to showcase their talents.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my year, to be honest, and to know my efforts are also being recognised, it means the world to me,” Kahn said.

He said the 2025 season had been one of substantial development for him, and his reliability in defence had improved. By playing for both Panorama FC and Curro Wilgeheuwel, he was able to contribute effectively on both ends of the field, excelling in both scoring and defending.

Kahn played a key role in Panorama’s campaign in the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge. In July, at the Engen Gauteng Knockout, Panorama scored an unexpected victory over Kaizer Chiefs, beating them 2-1 in the final, to be crowned the champions of the Gauteng province.

Kahn also scored in the final to secure Panorama’s victory over the Phefeni Glamour Boys. He was honoured as the Engen Gauteng Knockout Challenge’s Player and Defender of the Tournament.

That title win qualified Panorama for the Engen Champs of Champs, where they faced other provincial champions, including Cape Town City, Chippa United, and Junior Birds, among others. The title went to Cape Town City after they defeated the Chilli Boys 3-0 in the final, but Panorama claimed the bronze medals by defeating Junior Birds 5-0.

“My performances in the Gauteng Engen Knockout stood out, earning me both the Player and the Defender of the Tournament, alongside winning the tournament title. That was something special for me,” Kahn said.

Kahn’s growth also delivered a sizeable impact for Curro Wilgeheuwel, despite the considerable demands he faced by also competing in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) for Panorama.

In September, he helped Curro Wilgeheuwel put together a strong showing at the St Andrew’s College Football Cup, in Makhanda. The Roodepoort school caught the headlines with a 15-0 rout of Kingswood College. They fell just short of the title, losing out to Bishops Diocesan College in a penalty shootout.

Reflecting on the St Andrew’s tournament, Kahn expressed disappointment over that loss in the final. But being selected for the Best XI at the St Andrew’s College Football Cup stood out as one of his proudest moments of the year.

He was also named Curro Wilgeheuwel’s Footballer of the Year after a season that showcased his dedication, reliability, and leadership, both on and off the field.

Curro Wilgeheuwel’s football coach, Sibabalwe Ndzamela, expressed nothing but admiration for Kahn.

“Tiago Kahn stands out as an exceptional player and leader. He possesses a deep understanding of his role and responsibilities. His passion for football is unparalleled, always prioritising God above all else, regardless of the situation,” Ndzamela said.

Kahn has improved both as a team player and as an individual, in both club and school settings, he added.

“I have personally learned several lessons from him. One thing is certain, we have yet to witness his full potential, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for him in the future,” he ended.

Leadership, both on and off the field, is one of Kahn’s strengths. “I would like to say I’ve always been a leader, but maybe that’s a lie,” he said candidly. “I don’t believe leadership is necessarily a skill that comes naturally. In my case, I was forged into being a leader because of the position I hold.

“Defenders have to be good leaders and the most vocal, but in saying this, I did strive to be the captain of any team that I played for. This obsession started when I was captain of my u6 team at Panorama and at school.”

Being regarded as a leader by others signifies that they have confidence in you. Kahn works on that by fostering good relationships with his teammates and coaches, which, in turn, contributes to his personal growth. His ability to problem-solve, his discipline, and his communication, have evolved over the years, he said.

Another indicator of his growth and improvement was his call up to the SAB League for Panorama’s first team, although, for once, things didn’t go his way, with Stars of Africa grabbing the win.

“It was a tough game against Stars of Africa, a game we ended up losing 3-0 due to an early goal in the first half and two late goals in the second half,” Kahn recalled.

When asked about how he felt before making his debut, Kahn said: “In all honesty, I have stopped feeling nervous before or during a match. The emotion I feel is excitement or eagerness, as it’s another opportunity to express my capabilities.

“I’m always thankful for the ability I have been given, and I always look forward to performing using these abilities to the highest level,” he explained.

Despite all of his successes, a footballer’s journey is never linear, and that, too, applies to Tiago Kahn.

He made the u15 National Team in 2023, then was picked up by Mamelodi Sundowns in 2024, but an ankle injury, which, he admitted, broke him, brought him back down to earth when it took longer to heal than expected.

“After that injury, I started playing less for Sundowns, and in all this time, I wasn’t called up for any national team camp,” he recalled. “The latter half of 2024 was very difficult for me, but my parents helped me to remain focused and grounded while I prayed and allowed God to take control of my journey.”

In 2025, Kahn returned to his childhood club, Panorama, where he began working under coach Luyanda Gcabashe. That experience, along with the support and guidance of his parents, has helped to shape his development into the person and player he is today.

While his time at Sundowns may not gone as he had hoped, he said he cherishes every moment spent with the Brazilians.

He characterised it as a highly competitive environment, emphasising that, as a player, one must adapt swiftly and enhance one’s skills, or risk being left behind.

“I was training with the best players in South Africa for my age group, day in and day out, so truth be told, I developed my technical part of the game,” he said.

“I became smarter as a footballer and learned so many lessons that I apply in my game now. Simple things like body positioning were done at a high level at Sundowns, and I picked up on that and tried to implement it in my game as best as possible.”

Player Profile – Tiago Kahn

Year: 2025

Club – u19 Panorama 

GDL Appearances: 31 appearances, 12 wins, five draws, and 17 defeats, nine clean sheets, three goals, and one assist.

Engen Knockout Challenge (Gauteng): Crowned champions and scored in the final to defeat Kaizer Chiefs. Six appearances, six victories, one goal scored, and two goals conceded by Panorama throughout the tournament.

Engen Champs of Champs Appearances: Played six games, won four, drew 1, and lost 1. Four clean sheets.

School – Curro Wilgeheuwel First Team

St Andrew’s College Football Cup: Six appearances, three victories, one defeat. One goal scored, and two assists provided.

Waterstone College Super Cup: Seven appearances, four victories, two draws, and a loss in the final. Four goals were conceded by Curro Wilgeheuwel in the tournament, and Kahn scored two goals.

Independent Schools Soccer League: 10 appearances, 10 victories, and he scored five goals.

Curro Halala Cup: Knocked out in the round of round 16, and he scored one goal during the competition.

First Team Debut: He recently made his senior debut for Panorama’s first team in the SAB League.

2024 

Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

u17 GDL:

u17 GDL League winners (Mamelodi Sundowns)
u17 Appearances: Played 23 games, won 16, lost two, and drew five times, while conceding 18 times.

u19 GDL: League runners-up. 
u19 Appearances: Played three and won 3, and conceded two goals.

GDL Top 8: Runners-up 
GDL Top 8 Appearances: Played two and won one, while conceding one goal.

u16 Kaapstadt Cup: Runners-up
u16 Kaapstadt Cup Appearances: Played two, won two games, and conceded one goal.

u17 Vision View Easter Cup of Champions: Third-place
u17 Vision View Cup of Champions Appearances: Played seven games, won five games, lost two, and conceded six goals.

u17 Randburg Friendship Cup: Winners/Gold Champion
u17 Randburg Friendship Cup Appearances: Played four games, won four, without conceding a goal.

2023 

Club: Panorama (Captain)

u15 GDL: Finished the season in 14th place out of 18 teams.
u15 GDL Appearances: Played 34 games, won 10 games, lost 12 games, and drew 12, and scored 13 goals.

School: Curro Wilgeheuwel

Independent School Soccer League (First Team):
League winners, played two games and won both games without conceding a goal.

u16 Team: 

Independent School Soccer League: Third-place finish.

Five games played, won four games, lost one game, scored four goals, and conceded five.

u15 Team: (Captain)

Discovery Schools League: League runners-up.
Eight games played, won seven, and lost one game. Scored three goals.

Gauteng Provincial Team:
Vice-captain and Defender of the Tournament

u15 SAFA Technical Development Scheme:
Fourth place finish, five games played, won three and lost two, while scoring one goal in the tournament.

u15 South African National Team:

u15 FIFA Three Nations Tournament: Vice-captain – one cap
Played against Côte d’Ivoire for 60 minutes.

2022

Club: Panorama

u15 GDL: Finished in 7th place out of 18 teams.
u15 GDL Appearances: Played 17 games, won eight, lost seven games, drew twice, and scored two goals while conceding 35 goals.

School: Curro Wilgeheuwel

Independent School Soccer League: u14 Team
League winners, played five and won five, scoring five goals while the team conceded eight goals.

u16 Team (Curro Wilgeheuwel)

St Andrew’s College Football Cup: Tournament winners
Six appearances, won four games, lost one game, and conceded four goals in the tournament.

2021

Club: u13 Panorama

u13 GDL: Third-place finish
u13 GDL Appearances: Played 14 games, won nine, lost two, drew three, and conceded 22 goals.

2020

Club: u13Panorama (Captain)

u13 GDL: Third-place finish
u13 GDL Appearances: Played four, won two, lost one, drew one. The league was then cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

2019

Club: u11 Panorama

Rand Central League: League winners
Rand Central League Appearances: Played six games and won them all.

Club: Football Factory (Vice-Captain)

VW Cup: Played six games, won two, lost three, and drew one.

Club: Rand Central 

IberCup – Portugal Edition
IberCup Appearances: Played six games, won three games, lost two, drew one, and scored three goals.

2018

Club: u10 Panorama

IberCup – Portugal Edition
IberCup Appearances: Played five games, won two, lost two, and drew one.

2016-17

Club: u8-u9 SuperSport United

Mundialito – Spain u10
Mundialito Appearances: Played six games, won two, lost two, and drew two.

2015

Club: u7 Panorama

Junior League: League winners

2014

Club: u6 Randburg 

Junior League: Player of the Season.

Mieke van Voorst scored an outstanding century to help the Eastern Storm secure a comfortable 47-run win over Free State on Tuesday at the CSA Girls u19 Week in Potchefstroom.

Her 126 came from 121 balls and was the first century of the tournament.

With the win, the Eastern Storm remained unbeaten, along with Eastern Province, North West, Boland, the Eastern Cape Iinyathi, and The Dolphins.

The Tuskers and The Lions recorded their first wins on day two.

Leeyandre Bentley, the captain of the Eastern Storm, won the toss and chose to bat first at the Ibbies Oval. With Van Voorst leading the charge, the Storm thundered their way to 273 all out from 48.2 overs.

Their bowlers, then, worked well together and restricted Free State to 123/5 from 24 overs. When rain forced the players from the field, the Eastern Storm claimed a 47-run win by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) Method.

Van Voorst, who arrived at the crease in the second over, occupied the crease for 39.5 overs, all the while controlling the Eastern Storm innings despite wickets going down at the other end of the pitch. After her dismissal in the 42nd over, Easterns added another 30 runs in 6.5 overs before being bowled out.

Simone Mouton stood her ground with an unbeaten 40 from 52 balls for Free State. She and Leoze Lottering, who scored 38, shared a 61-run partnership in 12.5 overs, but it wasn’t fast enough, and the DLS Method tilted the result firmly in favour of the Eastern Storm. 

Ziyanda Xulu and Ziya Mohanlall formed an outstanding tag team, taking all 10 wickets, to set up The Dolphins for a comfortable seven-wicket win over Mpumalanga on the Potch Gimnasium A Field.

Dolphins’ captain, Mia Vermaak, unleashed the duo on the Mpumalanga batting lineup after winning the toss and choosing to field first. Xulu quickly made inroads, dismissing the top three in the Mpumalanga batting order before Mohanlall accounted for the next four. In the end, Mpumalanga tallied 130 all out in 34 overs.

Xulu captured 5/32 in 10 overs, while Mohanlall’s return was a neat 5/21 from nine. While most of the batters had no answer to the challenges posed by Xulu and Mohanlall, Ashley Barnard stood firm and compiled a solid 62 from 95 balls. Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout was the only other Mpumalanga batter to reach double figures, chipping in with a brisk 14 from 11 balls.

In reply, Shreeya Subbiah laid a solid platform for The Dolphins’ run chase with 53 from 86 deliveries. Sinothando Matamela contributed a handy 30 off 35 deliveries and shared an 80-run second-wicket partnership with Subbiah before the skipper, Vermaak, steered them to 134/3 and victory with an unbeaten 17 off 29 balls.

The Lions and Western Province, two of the traditional powerhouses, locked horns on the NWU Oval in a much-anticipated contest. Both sides had dropped points on day one, suffering losses, and they came into the tie eager to get their title challenges back on track.

Jae-Leigh Filander, the Western Province captain, won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Lions delivered a solid response, with four players making scores in the thirties as they totalled 234 all out.

Diara Ramlakan led the way with a patient 38 from 57 balls, while Fay Cowling contributed a brisk 24-ball 36. Jodie Burne matched her, also scoring 36, but from 54 deliveries, and Nosiphiwe Mashele made 31 from 44. The Lions were also boosted by 42 extras.

When Western Province batted, Leani Swanepoel and Fay Cowling ensured they were quickly forced onto the back foot by removing the top three batters in the order for single-digit scores.

Danielleh Hugo, who scored a patient unbeaten 27 from 50 balls, was the only Western Province batter to exit single figures, and her effort helped her side to 79/5 in 21.1 overs.

When DLS was needed to resolve the outcome of the contest, however, The Lions were firmly on top, and they claimed a 62-run win.

It was one-way traffic in the clash between the SWD Garden Route Badgers and Boland on the NWU Jool 1 Field. Daneli Boshoff knocked over 5/5 as the Badgers were routed for only 44. It took Boland just over eight overs to chase down that total without the loss of a wicket. Curro Durbanville‘s Boshoff led the way once more, finishing with 22 not out.

On the Mooivallei Oval, Kei didn’t fare much better against The Tuskers. They were skittled for just 48, chasing 139 for victory.

Kirsten Kaltwasser scored a circumspect 43 not out from 85 balls for the Tuskers, who batted first, and Jessica Candler weighed in with 30, while Thembakazi Gegesi shone for Kei, picking up 5/30.

Unfortunately for her, the Kei batters were nowhere near as proficient. Only Olwethu Njani reached double figures, and she barely made it, scoring 10, while Megan Webb claimed 3/13, Sihle Mamba 2/4, and Ayanda Mhlongo 2/5 as The Tuskers eased to a 90-run victory.

The tightest contest of the day was hosted at the Witrand Oval where the home side, North West, snatched a two-run win over the Limpopo Impalas.

Diedré van Rensburg‘s 34 led the way for North West in their 119 all out after they were put in to bat, while Respect Mabasa snapped up 4/11 in nine miserly overs for the Impalas.

In reply, Limpopo was bowled out for 117. Refilwe Mashego, batting tenth in the order, produced the match’s highest score of 41, and shared a tenth-wicket partnership of 49 with Murisi Rikhotso, whose contribution was six not out. Karabo Lemphane, however, halted the Impalas’ bid for an unlikely victory – they had been on 68/9 – when she bowled Mashego.

Eastern Province (EP) had their way with The Titans on the JB Marks Oval, winning by a comfortable 50 runs.
Ashlee Buhr, with 32, and Zara Bonnasse, with 27, were the spearheads of their batting effort, which realised 120 all out. Nokubonga Mpanza was one of the main reasons that EP didn’t go big, capturing 5/18 in five overs.

The target was modest, but The Titans didn’t come close to it, with their innings lasting just 27.5 overs and ending on 70 all out. Three players reached double figures, but 14 extras were their highest score. EP captain Cayleigh Wankel put the skids under The Titans’ response, dialling up the pressure with her return of 5/26 from 10 overs.

Eastern Province’s neighbours, the Eastern Cape Iinyathi won a tight low-scoring game against Northern Cape at NWU.

Northern Cape opted to bat after winning the toss but, apart from 38 by Keziah Adams, they struggled at the crease and were bowled out for 101 in only 26 overs. Lwando Kese, with 3/8, and Oneliswe Mxothwa, with 2/5, removed five batters cheaply.

The Iinyathi‘s reply was measured. It took them 31.4 overs, but they eventually won by three wickets, with Ziyakhanya Mtshawulana‘s 22 and 21 from Onelisiwe Mxothwa their key innings. Jennifer Tshaka was the Northern Cape’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 3/31

RESULTS

 Eastern Storm 273/10 (Mieke van Voorst 121, Ashleigh van Wyk 27, Leeyandre Bentley 23; Lebogang Thoabala 3/39, Thando Nelane 2/52, Kaela-Marie Keyser 2/34). Free State 123/5 (Simone Mouton 40, Leoze Lottering 38, Shanique Janse van Rensburg 12; Ashleigh van Wyk 2/20, Zainah Davids 1/10, Jazmine Pitt 1/8). Eastern Storm won by 47 runs (DLS Method).

Mpumalanga 130/10 (Ashley Barnard 62, Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout 14; Ziya Mohanlall 5/21, Ziyanda Xulu 5/32). Dolphins 134/3 (Shreeya Subbiah 53, Sinothando Matamela 30, Mia Vermaak 17*; Ashley Barnard 2/29, Nombulelo Ngwenya 1/21). Dolphins won by seven wickets.

Lions 234/10 (Diara Ramlakan 38, Fay Cowling 36, Jodie Burne 35; Nuha Benjamin 2/17, Cara Bester 2/50, Jemma Botha 2/41). Western Province 79/5 (Daniellah Hugo 27, Nuha Benjamin 8, Erin Scrooby 6; Leani Swanepoel 2/15, Fay Cowling 2/6, Mamly Raphela 1/8). Lions won by 62 runs (DLS Method).

SWD Garden Route Badgers 44/10 (Faithlynne 15, Tiche Frans 5; Daneli Boshoff 5/5, Beantra Daniels 2/9, Melissa van der Merwe 1/5, Janel Steenkamp 1/5). Boland 45/0 (Daneli Boshoff 22*, Wanda-Mari Ham 16*; Mi-Jeanne Botha 0/8, Tiche Frans 0/10). Boland won by 10 wickets.

Tuskers 138/10 (Kirsten Kaltwasser 43*, Jessica Candler 30; Thembakazi Gegesi 5/30, Enkosi Mdithswa 3/21). Kei 48/10 (Olwethu Njani 10, Unako Nompandana 6; Megan Webb 3/13, Sihle Mamba 2/4, Ayanda Mhlongo 2/5). Tuskers won by 90 runs.

North West 119/10 (Diedre van Rensburg 34, Jasmine Nel 18, Thato Kotokoane 11; Respect Mabasa 4/11, Murisi Rikhotso 3/36, Tshepiso Dineo Motswi 2/30). Limpopo Impalas 117/10 (Refilwe Mashego 41, Carli Botha 14; Kamogelo Kgaswane 3/27, Tshegofatso Monyela 3/23, Thato Kotokoane 2/28). North West won by 2 runs.

Eastern Province 120/10 (Ashlee Buhr 32, Zara Bonnasse 27, Cayleigh Wanckel 14; Nokubonga Mpanza 5/18, Kaylee Carr 3/24, Gabriella Sequiera 2/29). Titans 70/10 (Gabriella Sequiera 13, Lerato Sibanyoni 13, Jessica Staubli 12; Cayleigh Wanckel 5/26, Musa Halana 2/11, Tara Nel 2/14). Eastern Province won by 50 runs.

Northern Cape 101/10 (Keziah Adams 38, Olorato Lekhwi 13; Lwando Kese 3/8, Onelisiwe Mxothwa 2/4, Amyoli Mgebe 2/20). Eastern Cape Iinyathi 102/7 (Ziyakhanya Mtshawulana 22, Onelisiwe Mxothwa 21; Jennifer Tshaka 3/31, Mapule Morakile 1/4). Eastern Cape Iinyathi won by three wickets.

BLOEMFONTEIN – No fewer than five centuries were recorded on the opening day of the Khaya Majola Cricket Week, which got off to a spectacular start in Bloemfontein.

Andrew Sobiech (Free State), Daniel Cooke (Western Province), Francois Prins (Boland), Daniel du Plessis (Garden Route Badgers) and Xavier Coetzee (Easterns) all began the tournament in the best possible fashion with hundreds on day one.

Western Province cruised to a convincing nine-wicket victory over the hosts, Free State, thanks to an unbeaten 151-run partnership for the second wicket between Daniel Cooke (104*) and Paul James (62*). Cooke faced just 83 deliveries, striking nine fours and two sixes in a dominant knock.

For Free State, Andrew Sobiech (103) anchored the innings with a well-compiled century.

Boland‘s Francois Prins (121) guided his side to a solid 231/8 in their 50 overs. The Titans were on 187/5 when play was halted due to lightning. After the application of the Duckworth-Lewis method, the Titans were awarded a 27-run victory.

The highest individual score of the day belonged to Daniel du Plessis, who struck a superb 132 for the Garden Route Badgers. He shared a 121-run opening partnership with Igcobe Kitshini (50) against Mpumalanga, helping the Southern Cape side to 282/6 in their allotted overs. Mpumalanga’s Eduan Strydom (4/60) was the standout with the ball.

The Garden Route Badgers eventually claimed an 88-run victory via the DLS method.

The first century of the tournament was recorded by Xavier Coetzee (103) of the Eastern Storm, as his side powered to a massive 232-run win over Northern Cape.

Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Invitational XI‘s Corbin Tidbury (5/18) was in devastating form in his team’s nine-wicket victory over Limpopo. Tidbury captained Eastern Province at last week’s CSA u16 Week, where he walked away with the awards for Bowler of the Tournament and All-Rounder of the Tournament.

Gauteng’s Jason Rowles (51), supported by Troy Gordon (22), helped his side withstand a strong challenge from Eastern Province. Gauteng eventually emerged victorious by just five runs under the DLS system.

For the losing side, Randy Syce (82) and William Beamish (50) stood out with the bat.

Summarised Scorecards: 

Eastern Province 254/6 (Randy Syce 82, William Beamish 50, Rhys Wiblin 45, Extras 43; Wade McQuinn 3/36); Central Gauteng Lions 175/5 (Jason Rowles 51, Wade McQuinn 31, Troy Gordon 22; Dawid Vermaak 2/24). Central Gauteng Lions won by five runs (D/L-method).  

Free State 199 (Andrew Sobiech 103, Aiden Dodd 28; Daniel Bosman 3/57, Michael Kruiskamp 2/19); Western Province 200/1 (Daniel Cooke 104*, Paul James 62*; Andrew Sobiech 1/32). Western Province won by nine wickets. 

Tuskers 234/8 (Thandolwethu Zama 79, Samuel Hughes 28, Daniel Nadasan 27, Sphamandla Dzanibe 26; Bayanda Majola 3/43, Tristan Delvin 2/40); Dolphins 235/3 (Ismaeel Omar 75*, Bandile Mbatha 60, Josh van Biljon 59, Extras 20; Ethan Muir 2/41). Dolphins won by seven wickets. 

Boland 231/8 (Francois Prins 121, Gideon du Toit 29, Liam Basson 21; Neoentle Makwela 3/53, Keamogetswe Semenya 2/43); Titans 187/5 (Vihan Pretorius 38, Lesedi Mabena 34*, Mohammad Rasool 30*, Timothy Gordon 30, Rico van der Walt 25, Extras 20). Titans won by 27 runs (D/L-method). 

Garden Route Badgers 282/6 (Daniel du Plessis 132, Igcobe Kitshini 50, Extras 34, Simgunzi Blou 25; Eduan Strydom 4/60, Zeeshan Ebrahim 2/48); Mpumalanga 166/8 (Mfundo Mthimunye 49, Janco Breyl 34, Nhlakanipo Mosehlane 22; Enathi Kitshini 3/20, Simgunzi Blou 2/18, Liviwe Bawulie 2/30). Garden Route Badgers won by 88 runs (D/L-method).  

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 175 (Juan Nel 68, Awonke Mgini 45; Prince Marumagae 3/17, Jahndre Coetzee 3/22); North West 176/5 (Olebogeng Scott 55, Christivan Coetzer 27, Louis van Wyk 23, Themba Sontjane 22; AJ Durrheim 2/11. Awonke Mgini 2/57). North West won by five wickets.  

Easterns 313/6 (Xavier Coetzee 103, Clayton Horlick 80, Nkosibonile Sibisi 50, Stephan Vermaak 35, Extras 23); Northern Cape 81 (Nathan Baird 19; Abdullah Tadwala 4/13, Kristian du Plessis 2/6, Paul Matlala 2/21). Easterns won by 232 runs. 

Limpopo 84 (Jannes van Zyl 24; Corbin Tidbury 5/18, Munib Ayob 2/15); CSA Invitational 86/1 (Nkosana Sibiya 26*, JP Botha 25*). CSA Invitational won by nine wickets.  

The Titans and Eastern Province produced upsets when they defeated perennial favourites, Western Province and The Lions respectively, on Monday, the first day of the CSA Girls u19 Week, in Potchefstroom.

Boland, The Dolphins, North West, The Eastern Storm, The Eastern Cape Iinyathi, and Mpumalanga were the other winners.

The Titans opened their account with a four-wicket win over the perennial powerhouse, Western Province.

The toss went Chanel Venter’s way, and the Titans’ captain elected to field first. Her side made her judgement call look good by making good use of the conditions at the Ibbies Oval to bundle Western Province out for 111.

The ladies from northern Gauteng, then, needed 31 overs to reach 112/6 and claim victory.

Lerato Sibanyoni was the Titans’ chief destroyer, with a haul 4/14 runs from five overs. She crippled the Province innings with a double strike in the 16th over, which reduced the batting side from 57/3 to 62/5. She was, also, well supported by Nicole Sebelebele and Sienna Moodley, who took a brace of wickets each.

Opener, Jessica Staubli, anchored the Titans’ chase with a patient unbeaten 33 from 85 balls and she shared a fruitful 33-run second-wicket partnership with Simoné Lourens, which set the foundation for their victory.

At the Witrand Oval, Eastern Province (EP) claimed four points when they defeated one of the favourites to lift the title, The Lions.

Sent in to bat, Eastern Province battled hard, with Cayleigh Wanckel‘s team advancing in fits and starts until they had totalled 157 all out. That proved to be sufficient as they dismissed The Lions for 143 in reply.

Middle order batter, Ashlee Buhr, led Eastern Province effort at the crease with an unbeaten 30 from 78 balls, and her 62-run eighth wicket stand with Tara Nel turned out to be the match’s defining partnership. Nel, the second last batter in the EP line-up, proved to be much better than her batting position suggested, weighing in with a valuable 59-ball 36.

The Lions did themselves no favours with an untidy effort in the field, giving away 50 extras. Eastern Province was also guilty of errant bowling. They conceded 31 extras.

They, however, also had the talented Bianca Graham in their attack. She captured 4/4 in 2.3 overs to lift them to an inspiring 14-run win.

Leani Swanepoel top-scored for The Lions with 39 from 46 balls, while Fay Cowling chipped in with a brisk 33-ball 30. Unfortunately, for The Lions, the remainder of their batters didn’t produce much.

North West and the Free State had the privilege of competing at the JB Marks Oval, the region’s leading cricket ground, and they did not disappoint, delivering the highest scoring contest on a day littered with low scores.

Free State won the toss and asked North West to bat first. The hosts took on that challenge with aplomb, powering their way to 217 all out before bowling out Free State for 156 to clinch a 61-run win.

Diedré van Rensburg led the charge for North West with an outstanding 56 from 70 balls. Karambo Lemphane also chipped in with a half century, scoring 52 from 79 deliveries as the duo shared a match-winning 121-run second-wicket partnership, which was the highest stand across all matches on Monday.

Simone Mouton tallied 51 off 64 balls for the Free State, but Loeze Lottering was the only batter who offered Mouton substantial support. She scored a 41 off 78 deliveries, but everyone else scored 15 runs or less.

The Dolphins were the day’s most convincing winners on the NWU Jool 1 Field. They skittled Kei for only 61 and then cruised to a nine-wicket win in only 12 overs, with Shreeya Sibbiah scoring 24.

Maria van der Vyver returned the spectacular figures of seven overs, five maidens, and 4/3, while Taylor Moses knocked over 3/15 in six to spur Boland to a five-wicket win over the Northern Cape, who mustered only 89 all out.

Behind Daneli Boshoff‘s 42, it took Boland 17.1 overs to achieve victory on Potchefstroom Gimnasium’s A Field.

In another all-Cape clash, on the Mooivallei Oval, the Eastern Cape Iinyathi handed the SWD Garden Route Badgers a 28-run defeat.

Batting first, the Iinyathi put up 128/8. In reply, Mi-Jeanne Botha more than doubled the next highest score in the game, with 41 not out, but support for her was sparse, and Sinesipho Dondi, with 3/9, and Unakho Gwala, with 3/10, put the skids under the SWD reply, which ended at 96 all out.

Jessica Candler contributed an unbeaten 33 to The Tuskers’ 100 all out against Mpumalanga, for whom Nombulelo Ngwenya claimed 5/18.

Cris-Mari Bezuidenhout then struck seven fours and three sixes in her unbeaten 71 from 58 balls, which was more than nine times the next highest score by a Mpumalanga batter. That proved to be enough to see them to a three-wicket win.

In the lowest-scoring match of the day, The Eastern Storm successfully defended a modest 66 all out to win by 18 runs against the Limpopo Impalas.

Mieke van Voorst‘s 30 in the Storm’s innings was the highest score of the match, while miserly returns of 3/5 from Kananelo Mokoena and 3/9 from Leeyandre Bentley helped Easterns pull off hard-fought win.

A mouthwatering clash awaits on Tuesday between two of Monday’s losers, Western Province and The Lions, at North West University. Both sides will be aiming for a statement-making win.

The Titans will cross swords with Eastern Province in a contest that is likely to a closely contested affair.

RESULTS

Western Province 111/10 (Chloe de Roubiax 24*, Danielleh Hugo 18; Lerato Sibanyoni 4/14, Sienna Moodley 2/13, Nicole Sebelebele 2/16). Titans 112/6 (Jessica Staubli 33*, Simone Lourens 20, Kayla Sebelebele 16; Nuha Benjamin 2/23, Danielleh Hugo 1/7). Titans won by four wickets.

Eastern Province 157/10 (Tara Nel 36, Ashlee Buhr 30*; Mamly Raphela 4/10, Tana Burne 2/28). Lions 143/10 (Leani Swanepoel 39*, Fay Cowling 30; Bianca Graham 4/4, Musa Halana 2/9, Cayleigh Wankel 2/45). Eastern Province won by 14 runs.

Kei 61/10 (Oluhle Ndongeni 8, Qhawe Tenjwa 7*; Zukiswa Msiya 2/11, Sphiwesihle Mhlongo 2/10, Shreeya Subbiah 2/10). Dolphins 62/1 (Shreeya Subbiah 24, Entle Mhalipi 18*, Sinothando Matamela 11*; Thembakazi Gegesi 0/13, Nontokozo Mchiza 0/12). Dolphins won by nine wickets.

Northern Cape 89/10 (Mathapelo Ntsayagae 26, Olorato Lekhwi 12; Maria van der Vyver 4/3, Taylum Moses 3/15, Akum Mbira 2/24). Boland 90/5 (Daneli Boshoff 42, Faith Williams 14*; Rethabile Mothlanke 2/23, Onolo Mosabale 1/11, Rethabile Botha 1/26). Boland won by five wickets.

North West 217/10 (Diedré van Rensburg 56, Karabo Lemphane 52; Thando Nelane 3/34, Lebohang Rakoeane 2/31, Bokamoso Motshabi 2/32). Free State 157/10 (Simone Mouton 51, Leoze Lottering 41; Lerato Kotokoane 3/25, Kamogelo Kgaswane 3/30, Diedre van Rensburg 2/33). North West won by 61 runs.

Eastern Storm 66/10 (Mieke van Voorst 30, Mpumelelo Mashiloane 10; Respect Mabasa 3/17, Tshepiso Dineo Motswi 2/9). Limpopo Impalas 48/10 (Ripfumelo Faith Nkuna 18, Tshepiso Dineo Motswi 7; Kananelo Mokoena 3/5, Leeyandre Bentley 3/9, Ashleigh van Wyk 2/12). Eastern Storm won by 18 runs.

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 128/8 (Malakhiwe Somhlahlo 20*, Luli Ali 20; Rusha van Weiling 3/14, Tiche Frans 2/18). SWD Garden Route Badgers 96/10 (Mi-Jeanne Botha 41*, Rusha van Wieling 10; Sinesipho Dondi 3/9, Unakho Gwala 3/10, Malakhiwe Somhlahlo 2/9). Eastern Cape Iinyathi won by 28 runs.

Tuskers 100/10 (Jessica Candler 33*, Sindiswa Xaba 22; Nombulelo Ngwenya 5/18, Ashley Barnard 2/3). Mpumalanga 102/7 (Chris-mari Bezuidenhout 71*, Snothando Letswele 8; Asanda Zondi 4/33, Megan Webb 1/17). Mpumalanga won by three wickets.

Schools Water Polo South Africa (SWPSA) has announced the national schools’ water polo teams – u16 and u18 boys’ and girls’ sides – that will represent South Africa at the Australia Youth Water Polo Championships, to be held in Brisbane, Australia, from 8-13 April 2026.

The team will depart for Australia on 1 April and will attend training camps with Australian-based coaches in the lead-up to the tournament.

The teams were selected following a comprehensive and rigorous selection process based on the players’ performances throughout the 2025 schools water polo season, with particular emphasis on the SA Schools Inter Provincial Tournament in December.

Selectors evaluated athletes on technical ability, tactical awareness, consistency, teamwork, and their demonstration of the values that underpin SWPSA.

The step up from provincial representation to national selection will see the chosen athletes not only representing their schools and their provinces but the country on an international stage, where they will act as ambassadors for the sport and the country.

SWPSA congratulated the selected players and extended its appreciation to the many athletes who were considered during the selection process.

“The depth of talent across the country continues to reflect the strength and growth of schools’ water polo in South Africa,” the organisation said. It, also, wished the selected teams every success when they compete against leading youth water polo nations in Brisbane.

“Selection to represent Schools Water Polo South Africa is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication shown by these athletes over a sustained period,” SWPSA stated.

“We are confident that the selected teams will compete with pride, discipline, and resilience, while continuing to build the international profile of South African schools’ water polo.”

Press release issued by SWPSA 

TEAMS

u18 Boys

Benjamin Bigara (Western Province), Cooper Haworth (Central Gauteng), Dylan Wiggill (GK, Central Gauteng), Ettiene van der Merwe (Northern Gauteng), Jamie Nicolau (KwaZulu-Natal), Luca Orgill (Western Province), Matthew Fenn (Western Province), Max Mills (KwaZulu-Natal), Michael Mafunda (GK, Western Province), Noah Reiback (Western Province), Ruan Engelbrecht (Northern Gauteng), Thomas Aylward (KwaZulu-Natal), Thomas Francke (KwaZulu-Natal), Timothy Young (Western Province). 

Non-travelling reserves

Adam Brown (Western Province), Blake Morton (Central Gauteng), Bradley van Loggerenberg (KwaZulu-Natal), Dane Paterson (Nelson Mandela Bay), Daniel Nothard (KwaZulu-Natal), Elliot Springate (GK, (KwaZulu-Natal), Ethan Baty (Central Gauteng), Fu-Nam Chen (Central Gauteng), James Swart (Western Province), Kian Sing (GK, Central Gauteng), Luca Whitehead (Eden).

Management 

Travis Theron – Team Manager (Western Province)
Jon-Marc De Carvalho – Head Coach (Central Gauteng)
Juan-Claud Tribbelhorn – Assistant Coach (Northern Gauteng)

u18 Girls

Cadha Mosehla (Central Gauteng), Caitlyn Scrimgeour (Central Gauteng), Charlotte Wiltshire (Western Province), Danielle Sassenberg (Central Gauteng), Farran Elliot (KwaZulu-Natal), Gabriella Morrell (Central Gauteng), Hannah Savage (KwaZulu-Natal), Holly Strydom (Western Province), Inez Letschert (KwaZulu-Natal), Jenna Blaauw (Central Gauteng), Kara Battling (Buffalo City), Lucy Nagel (Nelson Mandela Bay), Madison Beetge (GK, KwaZulu-Natal), Ngcali Metu (GK, Central Gauteng).

Non-travelling reserves

Charlotte Jolley (Central Gauteng), Esmé du Plessis (Central Gauteng), Jade Jarvis (Western Province), Jemma Pearse (Western Province), June Stander (Central Gauteng), Kabo Maema (GK, Central Gauteng), Keira Holland (Central Gauteng), Kuhlesibonge Buthelezi (GK, Central Gauteng), Meegan Zomero (GK, Central Gauteng), Micha Danilewitz (Western Province), Motloduwa Makwane (KwaZulu-Natal), Olivia Attwell (Nelson Mandela Bay).

Management

Katie-Kayne Malcolm – Team Manager (Central Gauteng)
Megan Sileno – Head Coach (Central Gauteng)
Hannah Muller – Assistant Coach (Buffalo City)

u16 Boys

Adam Maggott (Western Province), Blake Galpin (Western Province), Casey Marks (KwaZulu-Natal), Cristiano Sandri (KwaZulu-Natal), Christopher Davidson (Central Gauteng), Dru Mills (KwaZulu-Natal), Josh Damstra (GK, Western Province), Josh Watson (KwaZulu-Natal), Lincoln Burger (KwaZulu-Natal), Max Fowlds (GK, KwaZulu-Natal), Nathan Corlett (Western Province), Ross Briers-Danks (Western Province), Thomas van Oerle (Nelson Mandela Bay), Timothy Barbeau (Central Gauteng), Zazi Mkandawire (Western Province).

Non-travelling reserves

Andrew Sonqishe (Western Province), Connor Kruger (Western Province), Cruz Chapman (KwaZulu-Natal), Finn Mallett (KwaZulu-Natal), Jasper Korver (Nelson Mandela Bay), Leo Bruinders (Central Gauteng), Lukah Charalambous (Western Province), Mitchell Rodgers (KwaZulu-Natal), Thomas Melling-Williams (Western Province), Yakub Fakir (Western Province).

Management

Ferdinand Postma – Team Manager (Northern Gauteng)
Nicholas Tinkler – Head Coach (Central Gauteng)
Cameron Laurenson – Assistant Coach (Boland)
Jarred Appelgryn – Assistant Coach (KwaZulu-Natal)

u16 Girls

Caylin Mackenzie (GK, Buffalo City), Emily Hattingh (Buffalo City), Hannah Hattingh (Buffalo City), Isabella Batistich (Western Province), Jodi Carr (Buffalo City), Kate van Biljon (Buffalo City), Kiera-Yenn Naidoo (Buffalo City), Makalya Ojo (KwaZulu-Natal), Mary Aylward (KwaZulu-Natal), Mia Gibson (Eden), Olivia Cairns (KwaZulu-Natal), Rosslyn Squair (Eden), Samantha van Hille (Central Gauteng), Sian Lester (GK, Western Province), Tayla Bosman (Western Province).

Non-travelling reserves

Alexis James (Central Gauteng), Emily Nienaber (GK, KwaZulu-Natal), Eva Hacking (Western Province), Kristin Bratby (Central Gauteng), Leah Kent (KwaZulu-Natal), Lily Collins (Nelson Mandela Bay), London Remley (KwaZulu-Natal), Michaela Morrison (KwaZulu-Natal), Michaela Sampson (Central Gauteng), Ruby Lumb (Western Province). 

Management

Kate Meintjes – Team Manager (Western Province)
Ismaeel Essa – Head Coach (Western Province)
Jessica Brown – Assistant Coach (Western Province)