SSPN Test Site

Blog

  • Second Curro Halala Cup to also feature u19 girls’ competition

    Second Curro Halala Cup to also feature u19 girls’ competition

    Cobus Loubser, the Chief Executive Officer of Curro Holdings, captured just before the conclusion of the 2025 Curro Halala Cup final between Northern Academy and Norkem Park High. Photo: Curro Sport.
    Cobus Loubser, the Chief Executive Officer of Curro Holdings, captured just before the conclusion of the 2025 Curro Halala Cup final between Northern Academy and Norkem Park High. Photo: Curro Sport.

    The Curro Halala Cup, which debuted as a boys’ competition in 2025, will include a girls’ u19 division in 2026.

    The first Curro Cup was won by Northern Academy, who beat Norkem Park High in a penalty shootout, after regulation time in the final finished goalless.

    In its first edition, the competition drew 64 u19 teams from public and private schools, who competed in nine provinces, from April, for a place at the national final at HeronBridge College in August.

    In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, conducted shortly after the crowning of the Curro Halala Cup champions, Curro CEO Cobus Loubser spoke about the intention to expand the tournament in the near future, potentially accommodating as many as 120 teams for the boys’ competition. However, he noted, discussions regarding the expansion would occur at a later date.

    Instead, before the implementation of that plan, Curro opted to further enhance the Curro Halala Cup by creating an event for girls.

    Marlee Faro, the Project Manager for Public Relations at Curro, told SuperSport Schools Plus that Curro is delighted to announce that the 2026 Curro Halala Cup will feature an invitational u19 girls’ division.

    A national showcase

    With its size and scope, the Curro Halala Cup provides a national competition that showcases talent from all over South Africa.

    The 2025 Curro Halala Cup winners Meridian Northern Academy proudly returned to Limpopo with the trophy. Photo: Supplied.

    Although the competition was initiated by Curro, the tournament is accessible to top-performing schools from across the country.

    A commitment to creating equal opportunities

    Cindy van der Merwe, the Portfolio Manager for Curro Sport, explained the significance of the expansion to include a girls’ component.

    “In just its second year, the Halala Cup has already established itself as the top school football event in the country,” she reckoned. “The introduction of the u19 girls’ division represents our commitment to creating equal opportunities in competitive sport and showcasing female football talent at the highest level.

    “Providing young women with access to leading, structured football competition builds confidence, leadership, and resilience,” she added.

    “This is about creating a national platform where female footballers can compete, be recognised, and reach their full potential.”

    The highest calibre of competition

    The inaugural girls’ tournament will feature 16 of South Africa’s top school teams, selected by invitation, to ensure the highest calibre of competition.

    Teams will compete in a round-robin format before advancing to the playoffs at the grand finale weekend.

    “This isn’t simply about participation. It’s about excellence,” Van der Merwe emphasised.

    “We’re bringing together the country’s best young female footballers to compete on a national stage, providing them with the recognition and opportunities their talent deserves.”

    Tournament Details

    Date: 14-16 August 2026
    Venue: HeronBridge College (Johannesburg)
    Format: Round-robin group stages followed by knockout playoffs
    Teams: 16 elite invited schools from across South Africa.

    Boys’ tournament returns with proven format

    In the heat of the battle for the Curro Halala Cup, Limpopo’s Meridian Northern Academy and Gauteng’s Norkem Park High School went head-to-head in the final. Photo: Supplied.

    The boys’ division will maintain the competitive structure that made 2025 successful, and the grand finale will include 16 qualifying teams from regional tournaments.

    The top four finishers from the 2025 competition – Nothern Academy, Norkem Park High, Grey College, and Navalsig High – will, also, automatically qualify for the grand finale.

    In addition, four Curro schools will be handed wild-card entries. The names of those teams will be announced in January 2026.

    Van der Merwe noted the qualities and characteristics needed for teams to succeed in the competition. “Football at this level demands more than technical skill,” she said.

    “These young athletes learn to perform under pressure, work cohesively as teams, and demonstrate the character that creates future leaders, both on and off the field.”

    Boys’ tournament timeline

    Regional qualifiers: 17-19 April 2026 (Various host schools to be confirmed)
    Round-robin and playoffs: 23 May 2026
    Grand Finale: HeronBridge College

    Reflecting on the second year of the Curro Halala Cup, Van der Merwe stated: “Year two is about elevating standards and expanding opportunities.

    “The addition of the u19 girls’ division isn’t just growth, it’s a statement about the quality and future of female football in South Africa.

    “These young women deserve to compete at an elite level, and the Halala Cup provides exactly that platform.”

    The Curro Halala Cup also serves as a key showcase for young talent, presenting scouts with good opportunities to view players’ abilities against other top players.

    One of the most outstanding performers in the inaugural competition was Tiago Kahn, a student at Curro Wilgeheuwel, who led both Curro Wilgeheuwel and Panorama FC.

    His accomplishments at both the school and club levels, earned him a nomination for the Defender of the Year Award by SuperSport Schools, and he was included in the SuperSport Schools Class of 2025.

  • Parkies kry Du Plessis aanwins vir 2026 rugby seisoen

    Parkies kry Du Plessis aanwins vir 2026 rugby seisoen

    JOHAN DU PLESSIS (links), ontvang die Noordvaal Reeks se toekening van Afrigter van die Jaar. Du Plessis het dié toekenning met Jano Venter (regs) van HTS Middelburg gedeel. Hannes Nienaber (middel) het die toekenings oorhandig. Foto: Verskaf

    Die 2026 skolerugby seisoen sal steeds vir die Johan du Plessis, beter bekend as “Duppie” in die Suid Afrikaanse skolerugby kringe, langs die veld as breier he.

    Du Plessis sal na bewering by Die Hoërskool Menlopark aansluit waar hy as agterlyn afrigter betrokke sal wees. Du Plessis se paaie het ‘n paar weke gelede met dié van Hoërskool Garsfontein geskei.

    Du Plessis was vir 16 jaar bretrokke by die Bere, ook sy alma mater, waarvan hy vir 11 jaar by die Bere se eerstespan diens gedoen het. Sy bedanking het as ‘n groot skok vir baie in die Garsie gemeenskap gekom.

    Tydens dié 16 jaar, kon Du Plessis ‘n verstommende vyf keer die Noordvaal titel saam met sy span omhoog hou. Vroeër in 2025 het hy ook die eerste afrigter in die nuwe millenium geword om die Noordvaal reeks vir ‘n derde agtereenvolgende keer as breier in te palm. Sover bekend is Du Plessis ook die eerste eksterne skole-afrigter wat die troffee vir drie agtereenvolgende kere omhoog kon hou.

    Die ander twee titels, alvorens dié, was saam met Tjaart van der Walt, in 2015 en 2016, wat tans die septor by Helpmekaar Kollege in Johannesburg swaai. Van der Walt is self een van die suksesvolste breiers in die Noordvaal. Dit was ook vanjaar dié twee wat in die Noordvaal se eindstryd ontmoet het.

    Du Plessis se afrigtingspad het by Laerskool Louis Leipoldt in Centurion begin. In dié tyd was hy ook by Centurion Rugbyklub se Jeugklub betrokke. Sy eerste Hoërskole-rugby rol het gekom toe hy ses jaar later deur Hoërskool Centurion genader is om die o.14 span, en later, in 2004 en 2005, ook die eerstespan, wat die Stadsbeker verwower het, te brei. Die Garsie-pos het kort daarna gevolg.

    Dit is alom bekend dat Du Plessis nie net ‘n uitstekende afrigter is nie, maar ook ‘n gawe het om met mense te werk, skynbaar weens sy beroep as ingenieur in die korporatiewe omgewing, waar hy met mense in spanverband werk. Die ervaringe wat hier opgedoen is, is iets wat ook deel van sy afrigtingfilosofie vorm.

    Sý nuwe begin by die Parkies is beslis een wat fyn dopgehou sal word, maar ook ‘n reuse aanwins vir ‘n groep met genoeg talent om behoorlike opslae in die 2026 seisoen te maak.

  • Lions crowned CSA u16 Boys Week champions

    Lions crowned CSA u16 Boys Week champions

    The Central Gauteng Lions capped off a successful five days by completing a double over The Titans on the final day of the CSA u16 Boys National Week, in Paarl, in the Western Cape.

    When they previously met, rain played a role in the outcome, and The Lions won on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method. This time it didn’t interfere.

    Sunday’s showdown at Boland Landbou was not a high-scoring affair, with The Lions being dismissed for a middling 167.

    Zizi Mkhize top-scored with 33, while Lincoln Casias and Zuan Joubert made valuable contributions of 28 and 27 respectively.

    The match was ultimately decided by The Lions’ disciplined bowling performance, with Thomas Collins taking the lead and claiming 4/16 in six overs. He was well supported by Preceli Molapisi, who returned 2/25, also from six overs.

    Rourke de Lange, of Cornwall Hill College, stood out for The Titans. He captured 4/25 in 10 overs and also chipped in with 20 with the bat. But the day belonged to The Lions, who bowled out their northern neighbours for 134 to win by 33 runs.

    The repeat fixture between the Eastern Cape Iinyathi and the SWD Garden Route Badgers, at Swartland High School, resulted in another captivating contest, which produced four of the six half-centuries scored on the day.

    Avethandwa Manyongo was the standout batman for the Iinyathi in their 30-run victory – their second over the Badgers – anchoring their innings with a composed 70 from 100 deliveries.

    Coming in at seven, Jack Bosazza recorded the second-highest score of the match with an important 58, which helped to lift the Iinyathi to a solid total of 248 all out.

    In reply, both Ross Taljaard and Jordan Ross passed fifty for the Badgers. Taljaard was SWD’s top scorer with 57 from 63 balls, while Ross added a patient 52 from 82 deliveries.

    The Iinyathi‘s Josh Wilkie, after scoring a triple-century in their opening match, ended the week as the event’s leading scorer, amassing 442 runs at an average of 88.4 across five matches. Jack Bosazza and Avethandwa Manyongo, both finished second on the bowling charts, claiming 12 wickets each, while Manyongo, who also scored 127 runs, was named the All-Rounder of the Week.

    Northern Cape‘s Cobus Fourie scored Sunday’s only century to lead his side to their first win of the week on the Dal Josaphat B Field. He struck 105 from 115 balls, with 10 fours and a six, and shared a 115-run fourth wicket stand with Ruben Viljoen, which was the key partnership in Northern Cape’s commanding 193-run victory.

    Kei, as had been the case throughout the week, struggled at the crease and were dismissed for just 83.

    On the Parys OvalIbrahiem Taliep was among the runs once more as Western Province concluded their campaign with a 48-run win over Eastern Province. Taliep top-scored with 82 and Janko Webb, continued his fine form with 55 in WP’s total of 174. Matthew Marshbank led the EP bowling effort with a return of 4/33.

    Despite 41 from Connor Parry, the Eastern Province reply failed to fire, and they were sent packing for 125, with Schalk Fourie knocking over 3/17, Abhay Kalan 2/11, and Raihan Khan 2/24.

    Corbin Tidbury, who made 25, enjoyed an outstanding all-round week, tallying 158 runs while also picking up 11 wickets, which placed him in the top 10 in both categories.

    The Eastern Storm joined the Lions as the only unbeaten sides at the tournament, maintaining their clean record with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Free State on the Paul Roos Oval.

    Duan Maree starred with the ball, capturing 3/12 to restrict Free State to 112 all out. He was well supported by the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Christiano Moffat, whose 2/25 saw him finish the week with 13 wickets.

    After a strong effort in the field, Easterns’ Moeketsi Beya struck eight fours and three sixes in a commanding 66 from 51 balls, which was more than half of his side’s total, to steer the Storm home inside 16 overs. The victory meant that the Storm won the second Division and earned their promotion to run alongside the big teams during the 2026 week.

    On the Dal Josaphat A Field, Boland’s Neil Louw and The Tuskers Ben Wilson played similarly effective innings, but the KwaZulu-Natal side won by six wickets. Louw was superb, making 74, but he lacked support. Wilson’s 65, meanwhile, was well backed up by Cody Sander‘s patient 48 from 97 balls, which proved decisive.

    For a second day in succession, The North West Dragons were involved in a low-scoring thriller. This time, though, they came out on the wrong end of the result, losing to The Dolphins by one wicket.

    AW van der Merwe was again the spearhead of the Dragons’ attack, snapping up 6/25 as he almost defended their total of 85 single-handedly.

    The KZN team was in big trouble on 44/8 in the 16th over, but Luc Boyall, who top-scored with 26, and Caleb Naicker, who made 12 not out, combined for 33 runs for the ninth wicket to take the Dolphins to within eight runs of victory. Naicker and Esihle Gasa, then, stuck it out for 22 balls to see their side across the line.

    Mpumalanga’s Nijan Swart produced the best figures of the day, grabbing 6/12 in a four-wicket victory over the Limpopo Impalas. He completed an outstanding all-round performance by weighing in with 37, Mpumalanga’s top score, to guide his side to victory with in the 27th over.

    Summarised scorecards

    Lions 167/10 (Zizi Mkhize 33, Lincoln Casais 28, Zuan Joubert 27, Phemelo Sekopane 22; Rourke De Lange 4/25, Justin Luke Basdeo 2/23); Titans 134/10 (Katlego Lebelo 32, Christian Linde 29; Thomas Collins 4/16, Preceli Molapisi 2/25). Lions won by 33 runs.

    Eastern Cape Iinyathi 248/10 (Avethandwa Manyongo 70, Jack Bosazza 58, Extras 34, Josh Edwards 28; Mario Tarentaal 5/30, Johalin Oosthuizen 2/35, Ross Taljaard 2/35); SWD Garden Route Badgers 218/10 (Ross Taljaard 57, Jordan Ross 52, Extras 38, Hanno Swart 25; Avethandwa Manyongo 3/33, Sipho Mjekula 3/35, Mitchell Myerscough 2/23). Eastern Cape Iinyathi won by 30 runs.

    Limpopo Impalas 102/10 (Mashalane Seboko Mpontsheng 35, Dirk Nortman 25; Nijan Swart 6/12, Kesha Moore 2/34); Mpumalanga 103/6 (Nijan Swart 37, Frederik Boshoff 21*; Alex Thomson 2/4, Mashalane Seboko Mpontsheng 2/13, Ripfumelo Mabunda 2/34). Mpumalanga won by 4 wickets.

    Western Province 174/10 (Ibraheem Taliep 82, Janko Webb 55; Matthew Marshbank 4/33, Oliver Whitaker 3/22); Eastern Province 125/10 (Connor Parry 41, Corbin Tidbury 23; Schalk Fourie 3/17, Abhay Kalan 2/11, Raihan Khan 2/24). Western Province won by 48 runs.

    Free State 112/10 (Bergh Vorster 31, Extras 21; Duan Maree 3/12, Xavier van Biljon 2/17, Christiano Moffat 2/25); Eastern Storm 115/2 (Moeketsi Beya 66; Christoph Bronn 1/13). Eastern Storm won by 8 wickets.

    Boland 166/10 (Neil Louw 74, De Waal Vivier 37; Relebogile Mokoena 3/33, Obakeng Motsepa 2/12, Ryan Clarke 2/27); Tuskers 170/4 (Ben Wilson 65, Cody Sander 48, Extras 29; Derrick Groenewald 1/27). Tuskers won by 6 wickets.

    North West 85/10 (Riekert Kruger 26; Rivan Moodley 3/18, Caleb Naicker 3/29, Muhammed Malek 2/2); Dolphins 89/9 (Luke Boyall 26; AW van der Merwe 6/25). Dolphins won by 1 wicket.

    Northern Cape 276/9 (Cobus Fourie 109, Ruben Viljoen 44, Rekaone Seikaneng 33, Nealan Cupido 31; Yamkela Vamva 4/36, Siphumeze Nonwana 3/17); Kei 83/10 (Akhumzi Ntleki 21; Rekaone Seikaneng 3/11, Lefika Matloko 2/21). Northern Cape won by 193 runs.

  • Standout individual performances highlight day four of CSA u16 Week

    Standout individual performances highlight day four of CSA u16 Week

    After rain had a big impact on day three’s matches, Saturday delivered some captivating cricket at the CSA u16 Boys National Week in Paarl, in the Western Cape.

    Across the eight matches played, five five-wicket hauls were claimed, two centuries were scored, and six batsmen raised their bats in celebration of half-centuries. It was, arguably, the best day’s cricket of the week thus far.

    No one enjoyed a better day with the ball than the Eastern Storm‘s Christiano Moffat. His nine overs against the SWD Garden Route Badgers at the Welbedacht Cricket Ground was match-defining.

    Moffat knocked back 6/14, which led to the Badgers being bowled out for 99 runs and the Storm winning by an emphatic 173 runs.

    He was fortunate to have plenty of runs to defend, thanks to the batting prowess of Anthony Stockigt and Rieshaeel Hashim.

    Stockigt was exceptional after arriving at the crease under severe pressure following the fall of two early wickets, which soon became three, leaving Easterns in trouble on 19/3 in the 13th over. He counter-attacked superbly, scoring 108 from just 95 deliveries, which included 14 fours and four sixes.

    Hashim, in at seven, also took the attack to SWD, racing to 70 from 55 balls, with five fours and three sixes. He and Stockigt added 142 runs for the seventh wicket.

    Ibrahiem Taliep topped the batting charts with a pivotal performance in Western Province‘s narrow 20-run victory over a spirited Dolphins side at Dal Josaphat A Field.

    The WP opener anchored their innings, facing 131 deliveries for an impressive 110. He, also, featured in two significant partnerships, firstly adding 101 for the second wicket with Janko Webb, who contributed 61, before combining with Schalk Fourie, who made 56, in a 119-run third-wicket stand.

    Muhammed Malek responded with an impressive opener’s innings for the Dolphins, compiling a patient 93. He and Jamie Hasselbach, who made 76, laid a solid foundation for the Dolphins, with a 165-run partnership for the third wicket.

    However, Abhay Khan, who was the sixth bowler introduced into the Western Province attack, broke the deadlock and captured 3/49, which led to the KZN side losing their last eight wickets for 53 runs.

    Fifteen-year-old Divan Linde played a decisive role in the Titans‘ victory over the hosts, Boland, at Boland Landbou. The side from the Jacaranda City struggled to build partnerships, but Linde played as if he was batting on a different surface, striking nine fours and a six in his 92 from 119 balls.

    His Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) teammate, Nico Loggenberg, followed up with a devastating bowling display, snaring 5/23 to lead The Titans to a convincing 78-run victory. With the five-for, Loggenberg took his tally to 11 wickets for the tournament, the third-best overall.

    Corbin Tidbury showed he is far more than a batsman. After starring with the bat on Friday, when he made 96 against The Dolphins, he led the way for Eastern Province with the ball, claiming 5/18 in eight tidy overs to crush Free State‘s chase of a modest 175. They were all out for 82 after 34.3 overs.

    Benjamin Kazandjis was another to register a five-wicket haul and spearheaded Mpumalanga‘s big 154-run victory over Kei. Mpumalanga had only 206 runs to defend, but Kazandjis ripped through Kei’s upper and lower order, snapping up 5/25 in six overs as Kei was dismissed for just 52 in 13.3 overs.

    The Limpopo Impalas showed character in a 49-run win over the Northern Cape. Rulo van der Merwe‘s excellent 5/27 helped to restrict the Impalas to 142 all out, but Ripfumelo Mabunda responded with 4/15 as Northern Cape collapsed to 93 all out.

    The Eastern Cape Iinyathi nearly produced a spectacular turnaround while defending only 64 against the North West Dragons.

    It was a bowler-dominated contest on the Pen Basson Field, where 18 wickets fell for only 130 runs, but AW van der Merwe, with 4/24 from nine overs, saw the Dragons over the line by two wickets in a low-scoring thriller. The Dragons’ win was the only one scored by a team batting second on Saturday.

    The Lions enjoyed an easier victory on the Paul Roos Oval, where they cruised to a 128-run win over The Tuskers.

    Both Zuan Joubert and Zizi Mkhize scored 61 in The Lions’ 246/8. Mkhize was also among the wickets, picking up 2/19, as the Lions bowled out The Tuskers for only 118 in reply.

    Summarised scorecards

    Eastern Province 174 (Kits Mcconnachie 31, Extras 28, Sibabalwe Deliwe 28, Corbin Tidbury 24, Matthew Marshbank 24; Ryle Beckmann 3/25, Juan Maree 3/38, Schalk van Rensburg 2/28); Free State 82 (Peter Le Roux 26; Corbin Tidbury 5/18, Ilungile Arosi 2/5). Eastern Province won by 92 runs.

    Western Province 260/7 (Ibraheem Taliep 110, Janko Webb 61, Schalk Fourie 56; Josh Mills 2/33, Esihle Gasa 2/45); Dolphins 240 (Muhammed Malek 93, Jamie Hasselbach 76, Extras 24; Abhay Kalan 3/49, Schalk Fourie 2/22, Raihan Khan 2/24). Western Province won by 20 runs.

    Lions 246/8 (Zuan Joubert 61, Zizi Mkhize 61, Extras 30, Urav Mukhija 26, Sohail Seonath 25, Goolam Hoosain Ahmed 21; Aphile Nzama 2/8, Rex Wardlaw 2/15, Obakeng Motsepa 2/48); Tuskers 118 (Rex Wardlaw 22, Akhil Bharath 21; Nqaba Matunda 3/28, Zizi Mkhize 2/19, Zaakir Hanslo 2/33). Lions won by 128 runs.

    Eastern Storm 272/8 (Anthony Stockigt 108, Rieshaeel Hashim 70, Duan Maree 35, Extras 25; Ross Taljaard 2/25); SWD Garden Route Badgers 99 (Keaton Lambaatjeen 31, Idan Balzun 23; Christiano Moffat 6/14, Duan Maree 3/16). Eastern Storm won by 173 runs.

    Limpopo Impalas 142 (Kulani Vutivi Mnisi 26, Talenta Ndhlovu 23, Extras 22; Rulo van der Merwe 5/27, Nealan Cupido 2/29); Northern Cape 93 (Rulo van der Merwe 24, Extras 22; Ripfumelo Mabunda 4/15, Mashalane Seboko Mpontsheng 2/15, Dumisani Manyama 2/26). Limpopo Impalas won by 49 runs.

    Mpumalanga 206 (Frederik Boshoff 46, Aiden van Zyl 27, Husain Patel 23*, Benjamin Kazandjis 21, Luan Swart 21, Extras 31; Sibahle Bango 3/41); Kei 52 (Thabiso Siwonxo 16; Benjamin Kazandjis 5/25, Frederik Boshoff 2/23, Bantubonke Manikela 2/4). Mpumalanga won by 154 runs.

    Titans 203 (Christian Linde 92, Extras 30, Jesse Eckard 21; James Holm 2/32, Ave Nkantini 2/21, Dion Slabber 2/50); Boland 125 (Daniel Francke 31, Abriam Jacobs 26, Aiden Titus 25; Nico Loggenberg 5/23, Justin Luke Basdeo 2/34). Titans won by 78 runs.

    Eastern Cape Iinyathi 64 (Sipho Mjekula 17; AW van der Merwe 4/24, Adriaan van Niekerk 2/14, Ruhann Steenkamp 2/19); North West 66/8 (Umar Gangat 19; Avethandwa Manyongo 3/25, Sipho Mjekula 2/0, Mthoko Mbambo 2/15). North West won by two wickets.

  • Crafting a winning team: Inside the mind of Kent VanderYacht

    Crafting a winning team: Inside the mind of Kent VanderYacht

    Kent VanderYacht celebrates with his players on the bench during a November 2025 win over Maritzburg College. Photo: Anele Sibhoko/Northwood.
    Kent VanderYacht celebrates with his players on the bench during a November 2025 win over Maritzburg College. Photo: Anele Sibhoko/Northwood.

    Despite basketball not being a traditional sport in South Africa, a vibrant school basketball culture has emerged, with Northwood to the fore as one of the country’s powerhouses.

    Coached by Kent VanderYacht, the Knights have dominated the sport and that looks likely to continue, thanks to their successful and popular programme.

    Given that the majority of their starters in 2025 were still in grade 10 – including, among others, Siya Shabalala, Simamukele Vacu, and Awande Chiliza – it is reasonable to conclude that Northwood’s basketball supremacy is likely to continue.

    In a recent interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, VanderYacht highlighted the team’s dominance against the best teams in the country, with back-to-back titles at the St John’s College Basketball Tournament title in 2024 and 2025. The St John’s College Basketball Tournament is considered the premier event for school teams in Southern Africa.

    This year, Northwood finished with an impressive 11-0 record in the fourth term.

    In the fourth term of 2023, they went 12-2. Then, in the first term of 2024, their record was 18-1. It was 13-2 in the fourth term of 2024. Then, at the start of 2025, in the first term, it was 13-0, and they won the St John’s College title. In the fourth term of 2025, it was 10-1. Add that up and their record is an imposing 66-6 since the fourth term of 2023.

    VanderYacht hails from a small town called Lynden, in Washington, the USA. He described it as very basketball-oriented, adding that the school he attended had a huge basketball tradition.

    “As a kid from there, you grow up dreaming about playing for your high school basketball team. It’s throughout the whole town, wanting to be the next one that wins the championship for your small town, so yeah, basketball has always been a passion of mine and my family’s,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. As a player, VanderYacht starred for the Lynden Lions in 1995 and 96.

    His love for the game runs deep. He first arrived at Northwood in 2019, when the school asked him to come on board as a volunteer to help out with the basketball programme.

    In a clash of KZN powerhouses, Northwood kept intact their unbeaten record at home, which has stood since 2020, with a win over Maritzburg College. Photo: Supplied

    “Before Northwood came along, I had been out of the game for 20 years, or so, and I was not sure if I could help Northwood, or if I had it in me,” he admitted. “But then, I realised that these kids don’t get introduced to basketball until they’re in grade eight, so they just need the basics to be taught to them.”

    He began teaching basic tactics to the young boys at Northwood that year and has been with the school ever since.

    Since his arrival, Northwood has compiled an incredible record, including going unbeaten at home since 2020.

    Initially, the school’s interest in basketball was, perhaps, perfunctory, with only two teams per age group. There was no real structure that supported the development of the basketball programme. Now, VanderYacht reports, there are over 30 teams, more than in any other sport at Northwood.

    “The kids love it. I mean, I can’t get them off the basketball court now.

    “Once, you create the love for a sport, they’re going to get better because they’re always on the court playing it, and one of my biggest things, is to let the boys play, let the boys have fun, have fun in practices, let’s make the game enjoyable.”

    Northwood has its challenges in the u16 and u14 divisions due to the programme’s structure, as most boys are new to the sport. There, the emphasis is on teaching fundamental skills, like ball handling, court movement, and jump shots.

    “We don’t win much at the grade 8, 9 level, but when you see the results at grade 11 level, that’s when these boys now can shoot, and their skills are so much quicker and better,” VanderYacht explained.

    He clarified that their strategy is deliberate and effective, requiring fundamentals to be taught first.

    In the 2024 season, Northwood excelled at the St John’s Tournament, with Chadley Hargreaves, Lusanda Hlongwane, Callum Magurno, and Shabalala leading the charge. VanderYacht praised his players’ heart, hustle, and strong defence as essential components of a championship-winning basketball team.

    A loss, he tells his charges, can be a blessing. They’re a part of the process of growth. Northwood won the St John’s Basketball Tournament title at the start of the year, but they felt the pain of defeat in the Westville Boys’ High Invitational Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament, in October, going down 53-59 to Maritzburg College in the semi-finals.

    “From that game, I told them, I know you don’t like this feeling, but I had to remind them that this is from where you learn. Each loss is almost a blessing for me as a coach because I get to take those as teaching moments, and I teach them how to take those losses and make a comeback from them.”

    A month later, in November, Northwood sought retribution against Maritzburg College in a derby clash and achieved a decisive 66-52 victory over a top rival.

    VanderYacht told SuperSport Schools Plus that his coaching of the players extends beyond basketball. He uses the sport to build a successful first team and also mentors the players to transform the culture.

    “I come from a strong Christian belief, and that’s my main goal: to teach them, show them, the love of Christ, to show them what it is to have discipline, and why you should treat others with respect on and off the court. My moral values are bigger than basketball,” he concluded.

    Living the values he espouses, in addition to his involvement in basketball, VanderYacht serves as the Director of Hearts That Hope, an organisation committed to fostering a nurturing environment where at-risk children can flourish in a loving home environment.

  • Champs pull off successful title defences in Standard Bank SA Schools Boat Race

    Champs pull off successful title defences in Standard Bank SA Schools Boat Race

    It was a case of “same again” at the 2025 Standard Bank SA Schools Boat Race, which was contested on the Kowie River, in Port Alfred, last weekend.

    The 2024 winners, St Benedict’s College and St Andrew’s School for Girls, successfully defended their titles in the Boys’ and Girls’ A finals, respectively

    St Benedict’s has now won the boys race for Eights for seven years in a row. It was a second win on the trot for St Andrew’s in the girls’ Coxed Quad A final.

    The Schools Boat Race is the longest on the rowing calendar – 5.4km for the boys and 4km for the girls – which is double, or more than double the standard championship distance of 2km.

    It is unique in that it is a heads race. That means that, instead of the crews all lining up in a row and racing against each other, they row against the clock on day one to determine which final they will be in and then go off in pairs on finals’ day to determine the finishing positions.

    And the course is on a river, with bends and bridges along the way. It is also part of a river mouth, which means tidal changes affect racing conditions between the two days and even during each day.

    That makes the role of the coxswains crucial – they need to steer the best lines around the bends and under the bridges, and their decisions can make the difference between winning and losing.

    The SA Schools Boat Race follows the traditions and many of the regulations of the Varsity Boat Race on the Thames River, in London. That race, between Cambridge and Oxford Universities, is arguably the biggest single race event in the world. This year, over 250 000 spectators lined the banks of the river, and there was a TV audience of 15 million.

    In the boys’ final, St Benedict’s beat St John’s by seven seconds. St John’s, who contested the final for a third time, had pipped Bennies by three seconds in the time trial the previous day.

    St John’s previously won the title in 2014 and 2011. Since St Mary’s Waverley‘s long-serving head coach, Caitlin Dace, moved to St John’s earlier this year, rowing has undergone a resurgence at the Houghton school. Only Bennies had a better season, with St John’s finishing second to the Bedfordview powerhouse in both the SA Schools and the Gauteng Championships.

    When St Andrew’s won in 2024, they broke a stranglehold that St Mary’s had on the title, having won it for the nine years preceding the St Andrew’s triumph.

    St Stithians has finished second in each of the last three edition of the Boat Race.

  • Boland, Lions, and Easterns win CSA u16 boys’ derby clashes

    Boland, Lions, and Easterns win CSA u16 boys’ derby clashes

    Cricket Ball on BatFriday threw up a day of derbies at the CSA u16 Boys National Week in Paarl, in the Western Cape. Unfortunately, rain impacted the outcomes of six of the eight fixtures.

    The hosts, Boland, and the Central Gauteng Lions emerged on the right side of their results, with Boland defeating their “big brother”, Western Province, by 26 runs, while The Lions toppled The Titans in the Jukskei Derby, winning by 26 runs according to the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method.

    Aiden Titus led the way for Boland in in challenging batting conditions on the Pen Basson Cricket Field.

    The hosts got off to a solid start, with their opening batsmen laying a solid foundation by putting on 72 for the first wicket, with Abriam Jacobs making 48 and Neil Louw 30. Titus capitalised. Coming in after the dismissal of Jacobs, he delivered his side’s top score of 56 from 63 deliveries.

    Boland, though, lost the momentum that they had built up early on through the regular loss of wickets and were bowled out for 202 after 42.1 overs.

    Louw, though, was not yet done with making an important contribution. He captured 3/19 with the ball, which proved pivotal to his side’s success. Despite determined knocks of 58 from Janko Webb and 41 from Raa’id Davids, Western Province came up short, bowled out for 176 in the 39th over.

    At Boland Landbou, the Lions were cruising on 93/1 after 27 overs, needing only 179 for victory, when the rain intervened. Opening batter Sohail Seonath tallied a patient 41, while Zizi Mkhize scored freely for his 33 at nearly a run a ball, and their 58-run stand effectively sealed the win.

    Ethan Ferguson was the Lions’ standout bowler, claiming 4/20 in just four overs, remarkably as the ninth bowler used.

    Although not a traditional derby, the clash between the Eastern Storm and the North West Dragons at Dal Josaphat A Field was a significant second-division contest. Both sides had shown strong form through the first two days of the National Week, but the Storm triumphed on Friday. They won by 22 runs on the DLS Method.

    Set 197 to win after Ulrich Botha‘s 94 had helped the Dragons to 196 all out, the Storm were well positioned to chase down North West’s total when the rain intervened. At that stage, they were on 120/2 after 33 overs, with Treasure Dube unbeaten on 41 and Sohil Jugnath on 31. Their partnership had produced 67 runs in 14.4 overs.

    On the Paul Roos Oval, Corbin Tidbury, of Eastern Province, came even closer to scoring a century than Botha, hitting 11 fours in a 114-ball stay that brought him 96 runs before he was dismissed by Jamie Hasselbach, who picked up 2/42.

    His superb innings in tough day-three conditions in Paarl secured his side a commanding 103-run DLS victory over The Dolphins, who stumbled to 81/9 before the heavens opened.

    Limpopo claimed their first win of the week at Swartland High School with a resounding 170-run DLS triumph over Kei.

    Their opening pair, Masilo Moremi and Peet Snyman, combined for an imposing 169-run stand. Moremi stroked a classy 81, while Snyman added 71 from 86 balls, which set the Impalas up to score 284/9 in their 50 overs. Then, they restricted Kei to 89/8.

    The Eastern Cape Iinyathi, meanwhile, won their third game on the trot, cruising to a 73-run win on the DLS method over the SWD Garden Route Badgers at the Welbedacht Cricket Ground.

    Josh Wilkie and Avethandwa Manyongo scored 45 each in the Iinyathi’s 263 all out. Jack Bosazza, then, knocked over 4/27 as the Badgers finished on 119/6 after 29.4 overs.

    Juan Maree scored 64 and Peter le Roux 49 and the pair combined for a 99-run fourth-wicket partnership on the Parys Oval, but the Free State had only two other batsmen just make it into double figures, while the rest were dismissed for single digits, which led to them mustering only 170 all out against The Tuskers.

    Sange Qangule led the Tuskers’ attack, claiming 4/33 from 10 overs, while his Hilton College teammate, Obakeng Motsepa needed only five balls to pick up 2/2.

    In reply, opener Cody Sander came good for KZN side, striking 73 not out from 69 balls, with four sixes and six fours, which helped The Tuskers to score at a healthy 6.6 runs per over. When the rain intervened, The Tuskers were on 152/3 after 23 overs, which left them the winners by 81 runs on the DLS method.

    A strong bowling performance took Mpumalanga to a seven-wicket win over Northern Cape on the Dal Josaphat B Field. Frederick Boshoff took 3/24, Kesha Moore 3/34, and Nijan Swart 2/27 as Northern Cape stumbled to 111 all out after 34.5 overs. Vaylen Lombaard batted well, making 44, but he received little support.

    Swart, then, followed up his good bowling performance with the top score in Mpumalanga’s successful run chase. He made 44 and Luan Sibrits 32 as they joined forces for an unbroken 76-run stand, which took their side to an emphatic win after using up only 26.1 of the 50 overs at their disposal.

    Summarised scorecards

    Boland 202/10 (Aiden Titus 56, Abriam Jacobs 48, Neil Louw 30; Esihle Mazinyane 3/30, Abhay Kalan 2/19, Ethan De Heer Kloots 2/49, Harbin Smith 2/49); Western Province 176/10 (Janko Webb 58, Raa’id Davids 41; Neil Louw 3/19, Noah Appollis 2/35, James Holm 2/49). Boland won by 26 runs.

    Titans 178/10 (Christian Linde 43, Rourke de Lange 38, Ethan Williams 23; Ethan Ferguson 4/20, Zizi Mkhize 3/30); Lions 93/1 (Sohail Seonath 41*, Zizi Mkhize 33; Katlego Lebelo 1/22). Lions won by 29 runs (DLS method).

    North West 196/10 (Ulrich Botha 94, Riekert Kruger 22; William van den Berg 2/43, Gideon Lange 2/52); Eastern Storm 120/2 (Treasure Dube 41*, Sohil Jugnath 31*, Nailen Carter 24; AW van der Merwe 2/22). Eastern Storm won by 22 runs (DLS method).

    Northern Cape 111/10 (Vaylen Lombaard 44; Frederik Boshoff 3/24, Kesha Moore 3/34, Nijan Swart 2/27); Mpumalanga 112/3 (Nijan Swart 44*, Luan Siebrits 32*, Extras 21; Ntebogang Mathabane 2/20). Mpumalanga won by 7 wickets.

    Free State 170/10 (Juan Maree 64, Peter Le Roux 49; Sange Qangule 4/33, Obakeng Motsepa 2/2); Tuskers 152/3 (Cody Sander 73*, Akhil Bharath 33; Christoph Bronn 3/35). Tuskers won by 81 runs (DLS method).

    Limpopo Impalas 284/10 (Masilo Moremi 81, Peet Snyman 71; Kuhle Dlathu 2/15, Somila Sgagayi 2/38); Kei 89/8 (Thabiso Siwonxo 40; Mashalane Seboko Mpontsheng 2/17, Dumisani Manyama 2/18, Alex Thomson 2/31). Limpopo Impalas won by 170 runs (DLS method).

    Eastern Province 201/10 (Corbin Tidbury 96, Connor Parry 30; Jamie Hasselbach 2/42, Esihle Gasa 2/13); Dolphins 81/9 (Jamie Hasselbach 22, Luke Boyall 20; Corbin Tidbury 2/11, Matthew Marshbank 2/22). Eastern Province won by 103 runs (DLS method).

    Eastern Cape Iinyathi 263/10 (Josh Wilkie 45, Avethandwa Manyongo 45, Imange Ncubevana 33, Jack Bosazza 39; Johalin Oosthuizen 2/45, Mario Tarentaal 2/26, Jordan Ross 3/19); SWD Garden Route Badgers 119/6 (Idan Balzun 26, Hanno Swart 26, Kuhle Ncamile 20; Jack Bosazza 4/27). Eastern Cape Iinyathi won by 73 runs (DLS method).

  • Refilwe held to a high scoring draw in CAF Gift Tournament

    Refilwe held to a high scoring draw in CAF Gift Tournament

    Linamandla Bahlehle, of Refilwe, during the u17 CAF Girls Integrated Football Tournament match between Okakarara Golden Ladies and Refilwe FC at Ngoni Mwos Stadium, in Norton, Zimbabwe on 12 December 2025. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix.

    Refilwe has been eliminated from contention for a place in the final of the u17 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) after an playing to an entertaining 4-4 draw with Okakarara Golden Ladies, in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Friday.

    Ahead of the match, the sides were in the bottom two of the four-team Group B, with South Africa’s Refilwe in third and Namibia’s Okakarara propping up the table.

    Both teams lost their opening matches, so there was plenty at stake on Friday. They rose to the occasion and produced an exhilarating eight-goal thriller, but a share of the points ended their chances of playing for the title.

    Refilwe struck first, taking the lead with a goal from Pretty Modika, and they were soon sitting pretty at 2-0 after benefitting from an Okakarara own goal.

    That advantage soon shrunk, however, with Rauna Uugulu pulling one back just before halftime to make it 2-1 at the break.

    In the second half, Refilwe’s Modika netted her second goal, while Mbali Madondo scored the Pretoria club’s fourth.

    Refilwe appeared to be on course for victory, but Okakarara hung tough and battled their way back into the contest. Two goals from Nancy Lebang and another from Gudness Garises rescued a 4-4 draw for the Namibians and resulted in a first point for both sides in the competition.

    Their draw, though, enabled Lesotho’s Lishoeshoe to increase their lead in the group, thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Aguila Stars, of Zambia. Ntsamaeng Tholo scored the crucial match-winner late in the first half, making Aguila Stars pay after their goalkeeper mishandled the ball.

    It was Lishoeshoe’s second win in succession, giving them the maximum six points from their first two matches. They’ll need only one more point from their last group match to be sure of a place in the final.

    If Lishoeshoe was to lose their final match against Namibia’s Okakarara Golden Ladies on Monday, and Aguila won against South Africa’s Refilwe FC, goal difference would determine the top position in the pool. Lishoeshoe, of course, has the advantage of a win in their head-to-head against. Aguila Stars.

    Forthcoming Fixtures: Final Group Matches

    Sunday, 14 December

    12:00 

    Luwinga Sports Academy vs Otjwarongo Sports Academy

    15:00 

    Mamelodi Sundowns vs Mpopoma Sports Academy

    Monday, 15 December

    12:00

    Lishoeshoe vs Okakarara Golden Ladies

    15:00

    Aguila Stars vs Refilwe

  • Top bowling performances decide key CSA u16 Girls Week clashes

    Top bowling performances decide key CSA u16 Girls Week clashes

    Cricket player holding a leather ball

    On Friday, the final day of the CSA Girls u16 National Week in Gqeberha, the sides lined up for two rounds of T20 cricket, as they had done on Thursday. The morning session followed a familiar pattern, with the bowlers enjoying the better of their battles with the batters.

    Only three of the 16 teams – the Eastern Storm, the Eastern Cape Iinyathi, and The Titans – were able to post more than 100 runs in their 20 overs.

    On Woodridge College‘s Rushmere Oval, Nadine Wells was to the fore again, anchoring the Storm’s innings and helping them to 116/5 against The Titans.

    She batted patiently, aware that she held the key to her side’s success. Wells faced 52 balls and accumulated 37 runs before being run out by the TitansBlessing Gumbo. A late cameo of 22 not out from Bruzaan Goosen also provided Easterns with a much-need boost.

    Despite a fighting knock from Milan Jordaan, who was unbeaten on 56 from 53 balls – the best batting performance of the morning – The Titans came up 10 runs short, while they lost five wickets along the way.

    On the Knight Field, Elysia Fourie was the Central Gauteng Lions‘ batting hero in a nail-biting four-run win over The Dolphins.

    The Lions’ top order faltered on a difficult wicket, which made Fourie’s 30 worth far more than the number suggests. She accounted for almost 37 percent of Gauteng’s 82/8.

    Noxolo Biyela shone for The Dolphins, claiming 4/15, but she and her fellow opener, Kendra Kreinacke, were sent packing for ducks as The Lions made a strong start in defence of their low total. Alyssa Edwards removed both and returned 2/13 from four overs, while her ball partner, Bonolo Phalane, dialled up the pressure with her miserly 2/4 from four.

    The Iinyathi 101/8 posted on the Summerwood Oval, then followed that up with a good bowling performance to record a comfortable 26-run win over The Tuskers.

    Josimina Minnie led the way, snapping up 3/10 in three overs. She was well supported by Azomila Silera, who nabbed 2/7, and Laiken James, who picked 2/9, and the KZN Inland team was held to just 75/9 from their 20 overs.

    At HTS Daniel Pienaar, the Limpopo Impalas shocked a high-flying Boland outfit, snatching a pulsating five-run victory.

    The win was the result of a match-defining spell by Pontsho Mopayi, who has starred for them throughout the week. She entered the attack when Boland was well set, on 62/2 after 10 overs, in their pursuit of 98 for victory. Mopayi, though, shifted the momentum by capturing 4/20 to lead South Africa’s northernmost province to a win over its southernmost province.

    The best bowling performance of the morning, however, belonged to Kei‘s Amila Butshala, who stole the limelight with an inspired spell against the Northern Cape, also at HTS Daniel Pienaar. In four overs, she knocked over 5/5, which played a defining role in Kei cruising to a 24-run victory despite defending a sub-standard total of 93.

    The most comfortable win of the morning went the way of North West, who won by eight wickets against Eastern Province (EP). Reabetswe Dithipe claimed 3/9 and Gogontle Padi 3/11 as the Dragons dismissed EP for 71.

    On Woodridge’s Monahan Oval, Western Province picked up a five-wicket win over Free State. Amohelang Aau scored 33 for the central province, but they were limited to just 93/7 from their 20 overs.

    It took a while for Province’s reply to get there, but they won with 10 balls to spare, led by 23 from Sasha Lee-Valentine.

    Mpumalanga claimed a hard-fought three-wicket win over the SWD Garden Route Badgers at Westering. Sent in to bat, the Badgers clawed their way to 73 all out in 17.4 overs. Dineo Mlimo led Mpumalanga’s bowling effort, removing three batters for 12 runs from four overs.

    Number three batter, Hayley Havenga, then, struck four fours in her 27 from 25 balls to set Mpumalanga on course for victory, which they achieved in the 15th over of their innings. Millicent Steenberg, with 3/8, and Jeze Campher, with 3/27, did their best to hold off Mpumalanga, but their efforts weren’t quite enough.

    Summarised scorecards

    Lions 82/8 (Elysia Fourie 30; Noxolo Biyela 4/15, Anelisa Mhlongo 2/8, Lungile Ngcobo 2/17); Dolphins 73/10 (Yamkela Shange 21, Lungile Ngcobo 11; Bonolo Phalane 2/4, Alyssa Edwards 2/13, Puledi Sebone 2/9, Karabo Matlaila 2/18). Lions won by 4 runs.

    Free State 93/7 (Amohelang Aau 33; Miya Lalor 2/10, Morgan Simpson 2/23); Western Province XI 96/5 (Shasha Lee-Valentine 23, Hannah Constable 18, Miya Lalor 15; Lize van den Bergh 2/18). Western Province XI won by 5 wickets.

    Eastern Storm 116/5 (Nadine Wells 37, Bruzaan Goosen 22; Thandeka Mngomezulu 2/15); Titans 106/5 (Milan Jordaan 56, Mohau Phasha 16; Thandeka Mngomezulu 2/15). Eastern Storm won by 10 runs.

    Limpopo Impalas 97/9 (Palesa Mathebula 25, Nicole Terblanche 21; Lize de Waal 3/13, Chemeka Williams 2/12, Lemicke Daniels 2/14); Boland 92/10 (Meesha-lee Meyer 22, Teshlynn Petersen 12; Pontsho Refilwe Mopayi 4/20, Chantel Makamedi 2/9). Limpopo Impalas won by 5 runs.

    Kei 93/10 (Siphosethu Gogozayo 22, Onele Madikizela 16; Brianna Arthur 4/13, Roeline Louw 2/20); Northern Cape 69 (Brianna Arthur 17; Amila Butshula 5/5, Inam Majambe 2/14). Kei won by 24 runs.

    SWD Garden Route Badgers 73/10 (Wandumtha Kondlo 15, Millicent Steenberg 12; Dineo Mlimo 3/12, Snothando Nkosi 2/8); Mpumalanga 74/7 (Hayley Havenga 27; Jeze Campher 3/27, Millicent Steenberg 3/8). Mpumalanga won by 3 wickets.

    Eastern Cape Iinyathi 101/8 (Mbali Mayoyo 21, Laiken James 18, Alitha Fotay 17; Lesogo Motsepa 2/21); Tuskers 75/9 (Xanalise van Dyk 24, Siphokazi Shezi 12; Josimina Minnie 3/10, Azomila Silera 2/7, Laiken James 2/9). Eastern Cape Iinyathi won by 26 runs.

    Eastern Province 71/10 (Quinn Foreman 14, Madison Louw 10; Gogontle Padi 3/11, Reabetswe Dithipe 3/9, Luthando Mafoko 1/4); North West 72/2 (Jessica Joshua 19, Luane van Wyk 15*, Diarabilwe Ngubeni 15*; Morgan de Souza 1/18). North West won by 8 wickets.

  • Simpson’s 6/12 headlines stellar second T20 session at CSA u16 Girls Week

    Simpson’s 6/12 headlines stellar second T20 session at CSA u16 Girls Week

    Old Cricket Ball on GrassThe second session of Thursday’s T20 action at the CSA Girls u16 National Week in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, delivered even bigger standout performances than had been produced in the morning, with Western Province‘s Morgan Simpson stealing the show.

    Simpson captured 6/12 in four overs to bowl her side to a 32-run victory over the Central Gauteng Lions on Woodridge College‘s Rushmere Oval.

    It was a desperately needed and timely match-winning spell after Western Province had made only 107/8 in their 20 overs.

    Simpson thrice took two wickets in an over, which led to the Lions being dismissed for a disappointing 75.

    Thandeka Mngomezulu, while not matching Simpson’s figures, produced a pivotal performance in the Eastern Storm‘s tightly contested nine-run victory over the North West Dragons.

    With her side defending just 70, she delivered four overs of outstanding control, snaring 4/10. Nadine Wells, continuing her impressive form, provided crucial support with a superb 3/1 from 2.4 overs to land the knockout blow.

    All-rounders Jeze Campher and Lize de Waal, showcased their class once again in their teams’ respective victories.

    Campher, a standout for the SWD Garden Route Badgers throughout the week, registered her second half-century of the tournament, making exactly 50, before exploiting the conditions at HTS Daniel Pienaar to snap up 3/7. Her commanding display secured a dominant 69-run win over The Tuskers.

    After four matches, Campher has scored 171 runs and taken 10 wickets.

    On the adjacent field at HTS Daniel Pienaar, De Waal dismantled the Northern Cape batting, picking up 3/10 in her four overs. That left Boland with a modest victory target of 104. They reached it with ease, thanks to De Waal’s aggressive batting.

    Coming in at three, she powered her way to 54 from just 29 deliveries, striking 11 fours, to power Boland to a nine-wicket win inside of 12 overs.

    At the Westering Oval, Mpumalanga‘s Hayley Havenga and Snothando Nkosi delivered superb performances in a thumping win over the Eastern Cape Iinyathi.

    Nkosi struck first with the second-best spell of the session, knocking over 5/20 in four overs, which led to the Iinyathi being restricted to 79/7.

    Havenga, then produced the highest individual score of the day. Ruthless on any loose deliveries, she punished the Iinyathi bowlers and rocketed along at two runs a ball, smashing 10 fours in an unbeaten 58 as Mpumalanga chased down the target in just 8.4 overs.

    The Titans won by six wickets against Eastern Province (EP), with Mieke Reynolds steering the successful run chase, with 31, after EP had tallied 99/3, which was led by 33 from Quinn Foreman and 22 from Madison Louw.

    Wickets fell regularly in the Kei versus Limpopo Impalas‘ clash. Kei had extras to thank for their total of 35 all out, of which only 14 runs came off the bat. Limpopo didn’t bat much better, but they won by three wickets when they reached 36/7.

    The Dolphins picked up a convincing 52-run win over the Free State, bowling the Free Staters out for only 48 behind 3/10 from Angelo Mlambo, 2/14 from Anelisa Mhlongo, and 2/1 from Sthembile Dlamini.

    Summarised scorecards

    Western Province 107/8 (Extras 34, Miya Lalor 20*, Shasha Lee-Valentine 16; Onkarabile Magonare 3/18, Alyssa Edwards 2/18, Karabo Matlaila 2/18); Lions 75/10 (Alyssa Edwards 20*; Morgan Simpson 6/12). Western Province won by 32 runs.

    Eastern Storm 70/7 (Bruzaan Goosen 10*, Luthando Mafoko 2/11, Biopelo Phakedi 2/10); North West 61 (Luane Van Wyk 22; Thandeka Mngomezulu 4/10, Nadine Wells 3/1, Seipati Moagi 2/10). Eastern Storm won by 9 runs.

    Eastern Province 99/3 (Quinn Foreman 33, Extras 24, Madison Louw 22, Ava Horner 15; Mary-Kate Bothma 2/10); Titans 100/4 (Mieke Reynolds 31, Extras 22, Milan Jordaan 19; Mackenzie Thomas 1/7). Titans won by 6 wickets.

    Kei 35/10 (Extras 21; Lunghelo Malungana 2/7, Beyonce Mathebula 2/7, Motlalepule Joan Sebele 2/5); Limpopo Impalas 36/7 (Extras 12; Kwanele Kratshi 3/5, Amila Butshula 2/14). Limpopo Impalas won by 3 wickets

    Eastern Cape Iinyathi 79/7 (Extras 28, Mabele Siyavuya 22; Snothando Nkosi 5/20, Danika Gloy 1/5, Omphile Mandi 1/11); Mpumalanga 81/2 (Hayley Havenga 58, Danika Gloy 12; Azomila Silera 1/22). Mpumalanga won by 8 wickets.

    SWD Garden Route Badgers 121/6 (Jeze Campher 50, Liandri Kotze 23, Extras 29; Carli Hughes 2/3, Mekayla Jordan 2/21); Tuskers 52/10 (Leandri Grobler 13; Jeze Campher 3/7, Jolene Aguls 2/15). SWD Garden Route Badgers won by 69 runs.

    Dolphins 100/7 (Kendra Kreinacke 19, Ziya Mohanlall 17, Lungile Ngcobo 18; Thando Nelane 2/13, Lize van den Bergh 2/10); Free State 48/10 (Mia Daacke 22; Angelo Mlambo 3/10, Anelisa Mhlongo 2/14, Sthembile Dlamini 2/1). Dolphins won by 52 runs.

    Northern Cape 103/9 (Extras 49, Gladys Lekwene 18; Lize de Waal 3/10, Lemicke Daniels 1/5, Linique Luck 1/11); Boland 104/1 (Lize de Waal 54, Meesha-lee Meyer 27, Extras 21; Tlotlang Monnapula 1/41). Boland won by 9 wickets.