With two rounds remaining in the C Section of the Finsbury League, Hoërskool Middelburg appears to be the leading candidate for promotion to the B Section.
The Middies have claimed bonus-point victories in the three matches they have played thus far, and they boast an imposing net run rate of 6.08, comfortably clear of Hoërskool Pietersburg in second place.
A home victory over Hoërskool Dinamika on Saturday could all but seal Middelburg’s place in the promotion–relegation fixture scheduled for 21 February, with Hoërskool Marais Viljoen the most likely opposition.
Pleasingly, for Mpumalanga’s leading cricket school, their success has not been built around any single individual.
Instead, the team culture fostered by head coach Shuan Neethling has been central to Middelburg’s rise. His philosophy of encouraging players to express themselves and trust their natural game has paid handsome dividends, with Gavin Genis, Eduan Strydom, and Hendré Nel, all of whom have been integral to the side’s progress since their u16 days, leading the way.
Genis, in particular, has been in scintillating form with the bat. His double century against Hoërskool Lichtenburg a week agoput an exclamation mark on a remarkable three-week purple patch during which he has amassed 390 runs to take his 2026 tally to an imposing 712.
Dinamika, meanwhile, arrives in Middelburg with two victories from three matches, which have been built on collective performances rather than individual dominance. They resemble their hosts, with head coach Jacques Venter overseeing an experienced squad, ably led by captain Branko Steenberg. Alongside the skipper, Jared Cliffe is another player who could play a decisive role in Saturday’s 50-over contest.
Hoërskool Zwartkop hosts Hoërskool Pietersburg in another mouth-watering C Section clash, with both sides locked on 10 log points. A victory for either, especially with a bonus point, could dramatically alter the promotion playoff picture, especially if Dinamika springs an upset in Middelburg.
Were that to happen, three teams would be level on 15 log points heading into the final round.
In Centurion, the clash between Hoërskool Centurion and Hoërskool Lichtenburg could prove decisive in the battle to avoid relegation. Both Woeries and Liggiesremain winless after three rounds. A win on Saturday, though, could potentially secure C Section status for the 2027 season.
The side forced to play the promotion-relegation fixture appears likely to face Hoërskool Dr Malan, of Meyerton, who have emerged as the D Section’s leading contenders for promotion.
Paarl Boys’ High 1st XI captain Aden Batt at the start of his bowling action. Photo: Supplied by Johann Louw.
A hard-hitting batsman in the middle-order, a left-arm off-spinner with a knack for claiming momentum-halting wickets, a reliable fielder anywhere on the park, and a bold and confident leader who sets the standard for his teammates.
These are not the four different archetypes of players that all cricket teams require. Rather, this is a description of Paarl Boys’ High captain Aden Batt.
Leading from the front, he played a key role in Boishaaisecuring a place at the Final Showdown in March, where the national champion will be crowned. Indeed, it was Batt who put the final nail in Paarl Gimnasium‘s coffin in the final, where he spun the ball with vigour to end Gimmies‘ innings in his fourth over.
Boys’ High Head Coach and former Protea, Johann Louw, said that the all-rounder’s bowling stuck out from the first moment that he saw him.
“I first saw Aden play for the u14A team when he joined Paarl Boys’ High. My first impression was that he was incredibly accurate for a young spinner. Even many of the more senior spinners couldn’t place the ball in the right spot as consistently as him.”
One of the keys to Aden Batt’s success has been his attention to detail. When asked about the area of his game that he would most like to improve, Batt told SuperSport Schools Plus that he is trying to use his strengths as a fielder to elevate his prowess as a bowler.
“I’m busy working on improving my fielding off my own bowling. It will help me to put even more pressure on the batsmen by not giving away any easy runs,” he explained.
Batt’s mentality is, perhaps, his greatest strength. Coach Louw complimented the Boishaai skipper on his maturity and wisdom in his dual roles of player and leader.
“He is a calm and collected individual who offers great knowledge to the younger bowlers. His leadership on and off the field has also been noticed by the school, earning him a role as a prefect.
“As a cricket coach, any player who can control the game is of great value, and Aden has proven this with his more than 50 wickets [per season] over three seasons in the first team.
“He has improved his ability to read batsmen, allowing him to set them up. He has been very successful in attracting the false shot when it matters,” Louw added.
“He also has the ability to win the big moments. In addition to off-spin, he has developed the ability to bowl left-arm leg-breaks at a decent standard, even taking a few wickets with the style.”
Clearly, one of Aden Batt’s best assets is his mentality – his focus, work ethic, and drive to succeed.
Those qualities were honed from a young age. “My earliest memory involves playing backyard cricket with my older brother. As the younger brother, I mostly lost, which ignited my passion, will and hunger for winning,” he revealed.
While Batt noted the emotional drive gifted to him by backyard sessions with his older brother, it’s likely that the time spent with his older brother also helped the Boland Khaya Majola Week representative to understand the game better than most players his age.
Does he hold further ambitions in the game once his school days are done? Indubitably.
Sharing his dreams, he said: “I would like to start playing professional cricket within the next few years, and try to get into the Proteas’ setup, as that has been a dream of mine since I was a small kid playing in the garden.”
Aden Batt has the all-round cricket skills to take him far, but, even more importantly, he has the mental strength to withstand and prosper when the greater challenges that lie ahead put him to the test. He revels in the heat of battle, in finding chinks in the opposition’s armour, and in finding ways to exploit them.
It’s that joy in attending to the details that will give Aden Batt a chance to make his cricket dreams come true.
Ombesa Matsha was in outstanding form as he carved a match-winning half-century for St Stithians. Photo: Supplied.
Ombesa Matsha compiled a brilliant half-century to steer St Stithians College to a thrilling seven-wicket win over Hoërskool Noordheuwel in their Johnny Waite Trophy clash on the Main Oval at Noordheuwel on Thursday.
Nicholas Bayly, the Saints‘ captain, won the toss and chose to bowl first. His bowlers answered the call and restricted Norries to 138/8 from their 20 overs. After a tension-packed run chase, the visitors snatched victory off the final delivery of the match, which finished with St Stithians on 139/3.
Matsha struck nine fours and three sixes on his way to a match-winning 87 from only 65 balls. The opener, who held the Saints’ innings together, was in the middle for 18.2 overs. He shared a cracking 126-run second-wicket partnership with Thomas Collins (43) that all but confirmed victory for the visitors.
When Matsha fell in the 19th over, run out while trying to scamper through for a quick single, St Stithians needed only five more runs from 10 deliveries. His exit offered a lifeline to the Norries’ challenge, and they grabbed it, bowling tight lines and good lengths to the two new batsmen, Nicholas Bayly and Matthew Anderson.
Hanru Begeman conceded only a single run from the remaining four balls of the penultimate over, which left Saints needing three runs to win from six balls. Tidi Moeketsane was as disciplined and tight as Begeman. The Norries’ captain conceded only two runs off the first five deliveries of the 20th over. His opposite number, Bayly, though, held his nerve and struck a single off the final delivery to clinch a heart-stopping victory for the visitors.
Earlier in the day, Moeketsane stood tall for Noordheuwel with an unbeaten 43 from 36 balls, which included sharing a wonderful 45-run sixth-wicket partnership with Juvan Lamont (35) that helped the hosts to recover from an indifferent start to their innings.
Kian Liebenberg (16) and Wander Roolvink (13) were the only other Noordheuwel batsmen to reach double figures.
Tajendra Naidu was the pick of the Saints’ bowlers, claiming 2/26 from four overs. Zaakir Hanslo was only slightly more costly. He also bagged a brace but surrendered 28 runs from his four overs.
St John’s College vs Steyn City School
Steyn City enjoyed a rewarding visit to the Mitchell Oval at St John’s, where Matthew Barbour‘s steady half-century set up the visitors for a five-wicket win.
The hosts won the toss, batted first, and raced along at a healthy clip to tally a challenging 173/4. It took Steyn City every ball of their 20 overs, but they overhauled St John’s in the end, finishing on 174/5.
Darshik Lutchman, with an unbeaten 73, and captain Nkosana Sibiya, with 67, led a sterling batting effort from the home side. They provided the bulk of their side’s runs, with Tapiwa Chikwava, who chipped in with 11 not out, being the only other St John’s batsman to get to double figures.
Kurt Losch was the pick of the bowlers for Steyn City, capturing 2/31 from 3.5 overs. Austin van Jaarsveld and Somaan Khan picked up a wicket each.
Matthew Barbour, then, led Steyn City’s successful run pursuit, anchoring their innings with a well-paced 59 runs from 51 balls. The opener cobbled together a 55-run opening stand with Murray Leith, who weighed in with a useful 30.
Next, Barbour combined with Joshua Michau (12) for 33 runs for the second wicket. His last act was a match-winning 62-run third-wicket stand with Sachin Sunker.
Sunker, who shared a brief 10-run sixth-wicket partnership with Max Burroughs (10*), kept Steyn City’s scorecard ticking after Barbour’s dismissal in the 18th over and finished the contest with a crucial unbeaten 39 from 27 balls.
Herman Basson led the St John’s attack, removing three batsmen while giving up 34 runs.
Summarised Scorecards
Noordheuwel 138/8 (Tidi Moeketsane 42*, Juwan Lamont 35; Tajendra Naidu 2/26, Zaakir Hanslo 2/28). St Stithians 139/3 (Ombesa Matsha 87, Thomas Collins 43; Tidi Moeketsane 1/19, Gerhard Roolvink 1/33). St Stithians won by seven wickets.
St John’s 173/4 (Darshik Lutchman 73*, Nkosana Sibiya 67; Kurt Losch 2/31, Somaan Khan 1/27). Steyn City 174/5 (Matthew Barbour 59, Sachin Sunker 39*; Herman Basson 3/34, Tapiwa Chikwava 1/26). Steyn City won by five wickets.
On the eve of the penultimate round in the B Section of the Finsbury League, four teams remain firmly in contention for promotion to the top tier of the competition.
That result left those sides level in the standings, while a victory for Hoërskool Montana at Hoërskool Marais Viljoen made it a three-way tie at the top, with all three teams on 10 points before they take on the coming weekend’s fixtures.
Only one point behind that trio, Potchefstroom Gimnasium is firmly in the hunt for a place in the final. Their prospects of making it through to the title game could be improved by the meeting of Midstream and Montana in Midrand on the weekend.
To compound Monties‘ challenge of playing away, three of Midstream’s top players – Jonathan Wiseman, Dian de Villiers, and Tehan Maré – have all shown they are in top form in recent weeks.
Captain Juan Theunissen has led Montana’s strong challenge by setting an outstanding example. He’ll need to rise to the occasion once more on Saturday in a contest that will surely feel like a semi-final showdown.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium, meanwhile, hosts Marais Viljoen in Potchefstroom. A bonus point victory over the visitors, who have struggled, could propel Gimmies into the driver’s seat with just one round remaining.
Marais Viljoen faces the looming threat of relegation, having gone winless in their three fixtures. On a positive note, their captain and top-order batsman, Ethan van Rooyen, has been in encouraging form. He’ll need to be on his game if the visitors from Alberton are to challenge the powerful Gimmies’ line-up.
Hans Moore will enjoy home-ground advantage for a second consecutive week when they host Hoërskool Nelspruit in Benoni. After an uncharacteristically subdued performance against Midstream a week ago, Moories will be eager to produce a more dynamic showing and get back to winning ways.
They have also bade farewell to their long-serving Director of Cricket, Paul Amorim, whose next chapter begins with Montana in Midrand this weekend.
A bonus-point victory would take Hans Moore to 15 log points and place them firmly in the pound seats because their healthy net run rate continues to separate them from the chasing pack.
St Andrew’s School hosts the 32nd Standard Bank Squash Festival in Bloemfontein from Friday to Sunday. Twenty-two teams will be in action, including many of South Africa’s established squash powerhouses.
Overseeing the event are Margo Morgan and St Andrew’s coach Calvin Deutschmann, who have been part of every Saints Squash Festival since its founding in 1994.
Morgan, the event organiser, in a message in the event’s programme, thanked Deutschmann, who has been her right-hand man for many Saints Squash Festivals and Bloemfontein Junior Squash Opens over the past three decades, for his support. She also extended her sincere appreciation to the headline sponsor, Standard Bank, as well as Tecnifibre and Twizza.
In a message from Standard Bank, Kevin de Beer, Coverage Head, Business Banking for the Free State and Northern Cape, said: “This tournament is more than just a competition; it is a platform where young athletes develop resilience, teamwork, and discipline – qualities that will serve them well beyond the squash court.
“We commend St Andrew’s School for its unwavering commitment to fostering a high-performance environment where players from across the country can come together to challenge themselves and grow.
While the event features top teams, Morgan always points out that the Saints Squash Festival is not a tournament. It is a festival. No winner is declared, and good sportsmanship is one of the primary goals espoused by the organisers.
Nonetheless, the top teams include the hosts, who feature SA u17 champion, Dean Katzin, at number one. Their fixtures, as usual, are against other schools with long-established traditions of excellence in the sport, and their fixture list for the forthcoming weekend includes Michaelhouse, Hoërskool Zwartkop, Grey High, Pretoria Boys High, and Selborne College.
Last year, Katzin participated in the SA Schools tour of Malaysia, along with Logan Kidson (Hoërskool Zwartkop), Wian Fourie (Selborne College), and Cobus Schimper (Grey College), all of whom will be in action at the Saints Squash Festival.
Perhaps, though, the player to beat is Grey High School‘s Benji Newman. He finished fourth in the u19 section of the Growthpoint Junior Nationals last year, but the three players who finished above him have all since exited the school ranks.
Zwartkop’s Juan-Corné Brand, who represented South Africa at the 2025 World Junior Championships, is out of action with an injury. Still, with Logan Kidson at number one, Zwarriesare not exactly short of talent at the top of their pile.
Maritzburg College finished second, their highest-ever position, with Grey High in third, and St Andrew’s School in fourth. All four teams will be in action in Bloemfontein.
Maritzburg College has lost some players from their superb 2025 side, but Bandile Mahayi, who played at either three or four for College last year, is now their number one. He’s a talented player whose best squash is yet to come.
Thero Motshubi, from St John’s College, is another player who is ascending, and he could push some of the established top guns hard.
Among the younger teams, Morgan identified Graeme College as a talented group of players, who are going from strength. Their squash programme is, most definitely, on the rise, she said.
FIXTURES
Friday, 6 February
14:15
St Andrew’s A vs Michaelhouse, St Andrew’s 1 and 2
St Andrew’s B vs St Andrew’s College, St Andrew’s 2 and 3
Maritzburg College vs King Edward VII (KES), Oudstudente 1 and 2
Selborne vs Pretoria Boys High, Ramblers 1 and 2
Zwartkop vs Grey College, Grey College 1 and 2
Graeme vs St Stithians, Ramblers 3 and 4
Kingswood vs Kearsney, Bobbiespark 1 and 2
Queen’s vs Paarl Gimnasium, St Michael’s 1, 2, and 3
St Andrew’s Invitation vs Hilton, Municipals 1 and 2
Grey High vs St John’s A, Eunice 3 and 4
Grey College Invitation vs St John’s B, Eunice 1 and 2
15:30
Westville vs Parktown, St Michael’s 1, 2, and 3
19:15
St Andrew’s A vs Zwartkop, St Andrew’s 1 and 2
St Andrew’s B vs Parktown Boys’ High, St Andrew’s 2 and 3
Selborne vs St John’s A, Eunice 3 and 4
Paarl Gimnasium vs St John’s B, Eunice 1 and 2
Kearsney vs St Stithians, Ramblers 1 and 2
Kingswood vs KES, Ramblers 3 and 4
Michaelhouse vs Grey High, Oudstudente 1 and 2
Pretoria Boys High vs Grey College, Grey College 1 and 2
Graeme vs Maritzburg College, St Michael’s 1 and 3
Queen’s vs Westville, St Michael’s 2 and 3
St Andrew’s College vs Hilton, Municipals 1 and 2
Saturday, 7 February
09:30
St Andrew’s A vs Grey High, St Andrew’s 1 and 2
St Andrew’s B vs Paarl Gim, St Andrew’s 2 and 3
Maritzburg College vs Selborne, Municipals 1 and 2
KES vs Michaelhouse, St Michael’s 2 and 3
Kingswood vs Pretoria Boys High, St Michael’s 1 and 2
Zwartkop vs Westville, Oudstudente 1 and 2
Kearsney vs Queen’s, Eunice 1 and 2
St John’s A vs Graeme, Ramblers 1 and 2
St John’s B vs St Andrew’s College, Ramblers 3 and 4
Hilton vs Parktown Boys’ High, Eunice 3 and 4
Grey College vs St Stithians, Grey College 1 and 2
14:30
St Andrew’s A vs Pretoria Boys High, St Andrew’s 1 and 2
St Andrew’s B vs Kingswood, St Andrew’s 2 and 3
Queen’s vs St John’s A, St Michael’s 1 and 2
Westville vs St John’s B, St Michaels 2 and 3
Grey College vs Michaelhouse, Grey College 1 and 2
Selborne vs Zwartkop, Ramblers 1 and 2
Grey High vs Maritzburg College, Eunice 3 and 4
St Andrew’s College vs St Stithians, Oudstudente 1 and 2
Graeme vs Kearsney, Municipals 1 and 2
KES vs Hilton, Eunice 1 and 2
Paarl Gim vs Parktown Boys’ High, Ramblers 3 and 4
Sunday, 8 February
08:30
St Andrew’s A vs Selborne, St Andrew’s 1 and 2
St Andrew’s B vs Queen’s, St Andrew’s 2 and 3
St John’s A vs Grey College, Grey College 1 and 2
St John’s B vs Hilton, Grey College 3 and 4
Maritzburg College vs Kingswood, Eunice 1 and 2
Parktown Boys’ High vs St Andrew’s College, Municipals 1 and 2
Michaelhouse vs Graeme, Grey College 1 and 2
Kearsney vs Pretoria Boys High, Ramblers 1, 2, and 3
Zwartkop vs Grey High, Oudstudente 1 and 2
Paarl Gim vs KES, St Michael’s 1, 2, and 3
St Stithians vs Westville, Eunice 3 and 4
While a Kempton Park win over the Eldos was not unexpected, the scale of the victory and the manner in which it was achieved certainly was.
They delivered a ruthless display, skittling Eldoraigne for a paltry 38 before cruising to a nine-wicket bonus-point victory at a crucial juncture of the competition.
That result leaves Kempies on 10 log points, level with Die Hoërskool Menlopark, as they prepare for their toughest test to date: a clash with the defending champion, Hoërskool Waterkloof, at the André van der Walt Oval in Pretoria on Sunday.
Waterkloof currently sits comfortably at the top of the standings and remains unbeaten in the competition. Last weekend, they beat Hoërskool Rustenburg by five wickets on Saturday, and followed that with a dramatic one-wicket triumph over Grey College on Sunday. Those results underline both their consistency and composure under pressure.
Sunday’s forthcoming match sets up an intriguing contest between the in-form bowling pair of Kempies’ Willem van den Berg and Stian van Breda and Waterkloof’s experienced middle order. With a “must-win” label firmly attached to the visitors from Kempton Park, the ingredients are in place for a compelling contest.
Menlopark, meanwhile, returns to action on their home ground after suffering a seven-wicket defeat away to Potchefstroom Volkskool. Menlo hosts Rustenburg, who are winless and desperate for points. A significant boost for the Rusties, however, will be the return of Callie Fryer.
Rustenburg was without their strike bowler against Waterkloof because Fryer was making his first-class debut for the North West Dragons over the past weekend. His duel with Monré Koekemoer, Jacques de Villiers, and Jan-Willem Pienaar in the Parkies‘ middle order, on the traditionally bouncy Pretoria wickets, could be one of the highlights of the round.
In Centurion, Hoërskool Eldoraigne welcomes Potchefstroom Volkskool for another pivotal encounter. The Volkies are only one point behind Kempton Park and Menlopark in the standings, and a victory over last year’s runner-up would put them in a strong position to challenge for a place in the final, which they last reached in 2024.
For Eldoraigne, the situation is far more precarious. Still without a win, they find themselves locked in a battle with Rustenburg to avoid relegation, and they have only two rounds remaining to edge ahead of the North West side.
