{"id":88298,"date":"2026-01-09T15:23:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T13:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=88298"},"modified":"2026-01-09T15:23:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T13:23:11","slug":"undefeated-eldoraigne-crowned-new-champions-of-kovsie-smash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=88298","title":{"rendered":"Undefeated Eldoraigne crowned new champions of Kovsie Smash"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_88300\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-88300\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-88300\" src=\"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ruan-Steyn-400x272.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"272\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-88300\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ruan Steyn, of Ho\u00ebrskool Eldoraigne, in full flow during his innings of 45 runs against Oos-Moot in the quarterfinals of the Kovsie Smash. Photo: Johan Badenhorst.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong data-start=\"231\" data-end=\"255\">Ho\u00ebrskool Eldoraigne<\/strong> was crowned the new <strong data-start=\"277\" data-end=\"293\">Kovsie Smash<\/strong> champion after completing a superb five-day campaign with an unbeaten record in the T20 competition following a commanding victory in Friday morning&#8217;s final.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"437\" data-end=\"775\">The <em><strong>Eldos<\/strong><\/em> faced what appeared to be their sternest test of the tournament when they took on their fellow unbeatens, <strong data-start=\"524\" data-end=\"548\">Ho\u00ebrskool<\/strong> <strong>Transvalia<\/strong>, in the title contest at the <strong>Fichardtpark Oval<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The Centurion outfit passed the challenge emphatically, cruising to a nine-wicket win with a huge 9.4 overs to spare.<\/p>\n<p>Captain <strong data-start=\"662\" data-end=\"679\">Rowan McLaren<\/strong> once again led from the front, rocking <strong><em>Valia<\/em><\/strong> early by capturing 3\/4 from his four overs.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"777\" data-end=\"1206\">McLaren&#8217;s damaging spell opened the door for <strong data-start=\"813\" data-end=\"830\">Heinrich Klue<\/strong>, who claimed 2\/7, to take his tally for the tournament to 13 wickets. Leg-spinner <strong data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"938\">Ruan Boshoff<\/strong> also enjoyed success, taking two wickets as Transvalia, under relentless pressure, mustered only 90 all out.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"777\" data-end=\"1206\">A last-wicket stand of 38 between top scorer <strong data-start=\"1092\" data-end=\"1109\">Ashton Cachia<\/strong> (31*) and <strong data-start=\"1120\" data-end=\"1143\">Eduann Raubenheimer<\/strong> (10) was the lone highlight for the Vanderbijlpark school.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1520\">Needing 91 to win, and with their batsmen, especially <strong data-start=\"1260\" data-end=\"1278\">Benyael Morkel<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"1283\" data-end=\"1297\">Vince Lotz<\/strong>, in rich form, Eldoraigne chased down the victory target with ease.<\/p>\n<p>Morkel finished unbeaten on 33 to end the tournament with an outstanding 282 runs, while Lotz raised his bat for another half-century, finishing on 50 not out exactly, to take his aggregate to 216 runs across the five days.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1522\" data-end=\"1888\">In the third-place playoff, <strong data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1585\">Ho\u00ebrskool Kalahari<\/strong> returned to winning ways with a clinical eight-wicket victory over the hosts, <strong data-start=\"1659\" data-end=\"1685\">Ho\u00ebrskool Fichardtpark<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"1687\" data-end=\"1701\">Carl Thole<\/strong> anchored a successful run chase with an unbeaten 45 in pursuit of 131. Earlier, <strong>Janko Noeth <\/strong>had knocked over 3\/21 to impair <em><strong>Fichies<\/strong><\/em>&#8216; batting effort.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1890\" data-end=\"2222\">In an all-Pretoria clash for fifth place, <strong data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"1964\">Ho\u00ebrskool Overvaal<\/strong> edged out <strong data-start=\"1970\" data-end=\"1982\">Oos-Moot<\/strong> by three wickets in a thrilling finish.<\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"2023\" data-end=\"2040\">Zander Oliver<\/strong> laid the platform for victory, returning a superb 3\/13 with the ball. Then, <strong data-start=\"2088\" data-end=\"2106\">Ethan Kruger<\/strong>&#8216;s 40 and a composed unbeaten 35 from <strong data-start=\"2143\" data-end=\"2173\">Cameron van der Westhuizen<\/strong> sealed the win off the final ball of the match.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2224\" data-end=\"2526\">In a Bethlehem derby, <strong data-start=\"2256\" data-end=\"2269\">Witteberg <\/strong>handed <strong data-start=\"2284\" data-end=\"2299\">Voortrekker<\/strong> a six-wicket defeat. The tournament&#8217;s leading wicket-taker, <strong data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2384\">Xander Fourie<\/strong>, claimed 2\/32, while <strong>Dumisani Johnson<\/strong> played his part by nabbing 2\/30.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2528\" data-end=\"2718\"><strong data-start=\"2528\" data-end=\"2540\">Fourie<\/strong>&#8216;s strong influence continued with the bat. He struck a match-winning 69 not out and was lent strong support by <strong data-start=\"2667\" data-end=\"2685\">Pieter Wessels<\/strong>, who contributed an unbeaten 36.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2720\" data-end=\"3156\">For a second day in succession, <strong data-start=\"2752\" data-end=\"2775\">Christiaan Schoeman<\/strong>, of <strong data-start=\"2779\" data-end=\"2801\">Ho\u00ebrskool Driehoek<\/strong>, was a thorn in the side of <strong data-start=\"2832\" data-end=\"2855\">Ho\u00ebrskool<\/strong> <strong data-start=\"2832\" data-end=\"2855\">Duineveld<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, he scored a masterful 80 against the Upington side. On Friday, he bettered that, finishing with an unbeaten 90, the highest individual score of the day. That big innings lifted his aggregate to 364 runs, which made him the tournament&#8217;s leading run scorer.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3158\" data-end=\"3272\">With Schoeman to the fore, Driehoek completed a double over Duineveld, rolling to a convincing 73-run victory to close out their campaign.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Summarised scorecards<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Final\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Transvalia 90\/10 <\/strong>(Ashton Cachia 31*; Rowan McLaren 3\/4, Heinrich Klue 2\/7, Ruan Boshoff 2\/13);\u00a0<strong>Eldoraigne 91\/1 <\/strong>(Vince Lotz 50*, Benyael Morkel 33*; Declan Steinmann 1\/35).\u00a0<strong>Eldoraigne won by nine wickets.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Third-place playoff<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Fichardtpark 130\/9\u00a0<\/strong>(Juan 30, Davyd Oosthuizen 27, Jayden Geldenhuys 27; Janko Noeth 3\/21, Kabelo Pitsoyagkosi 2\/23, Wilrigh Moster 2\/23); <strong>Kalahari 131\/2\u00a0<\/strong>(Carl Thole 45*, Louhan Noeth 35, Liam Laing 20*; Dillan Geringer 1\/31). <strong>Kalahari won by eight wickets.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Other results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Oos-Moot 119\/7\u00a0<\/strong>(Elmar Theron 34*, Ian Labuschagne 20*; Zander Olivier 3\/13, Cameron van der Westhuizen 2\/24); <strong>Overvaal 121\/7\u00a0<\/strong>(Ethan Kruger 40, Cameron van der Westhuizen 25*; Henco Erasmus 2\/14, Marnus Broodryk 2\/28). <strong>Overvaal won by three wickets.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Potchefstroom Volkskool Stayers 188\/2\u00a0<\/strong>(Nolan Roets 75*, Jacques Oosthuizen 70, Damian Pretorius 25*; Hennie Schoeman 2\/40);\u00a0<strong>Ho\u00ebrskool Pietersburg 166\/8\u00a0<\/strong>(Stephan Swanepoel 59, Alez Thomson 23; Pierre Joubert 2\/31). <strong>Potchefstroom Volkskool Stayers won by 22 runs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Trio 87\/10 <\/strong>(Robbie van der Vyver 28; Henco Roets 4\/12, Dean Harris 3\/17);\u00a0<strong>Ho\u00ebrskool Sasolburg 90\/3\u00a0<\/strong>(Liam Singleton 29*, Henco Toets 21*; WJ van Niekerk 2\/10). <strong>Ho\u00ebrskool Sasolburg won by seven wickets.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Voortrekker 167\/6\u00a0<\/strong>(Vlag Janse van Rensburg 50*, Jayden Strydom 44, Thato Nthebere 30; Dumisani Johnson 2\/30, Xander Fourie 2\/32); <strong>Witteberg 168\/4\u00a0<\/strong>(Xander Fourie 69*, Pieter Wessels 36*, WJ Geldenhuis 21; Janno Olivier 2\/32). <strong>Witteberg won by six wickets.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sentraal 119\/10 <\/strong>(Damian Smith 38, Daniel Pienaar 25; Johan van Dyk 3\/27, Cobus Wilken 2\/12);\u00a0<strong>Jim Fouch\u00e9 120\/2 <\/strong>(Jordan Vorster 64, Niel Wilken 29; Ruardt Kleynhans 1\/23).\u00a0<strong>Jim Fouch\u00e9 won by eight wickets.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Goudveld 125\/5\u00a0<\/strong>(Jenadr\u00e9 Ferreira 49, Edrich du Plessis 22; Reinhardt Cronje 1\/6); <strong>Ho\u00ebrskool Lichtenburg 123\/9 <\/strong>(Dovhan Wiese 31; Delan van Zyl 4\/22, Edrich du Plessis 2\/18).\u00a0<strong>Goudveld won by two runs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Driehoek 171\/5\u00a0<\/strong>(Christiaan Schoeman 90*, Janco Smit 35; Marnus Myhburg 2\/18);\u00a0<strong>Duineveld 98\u00a0<\/strong>(Wilmar Myburgh 38; Durandt Lubbe 4\/12, Jaden Heckler 2\/13, Divan Dreyer 2\/26).\u00a0<strong>Driehoek won by 73 runs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ho\u00ebrskool Eldoraigne was crowned the new Kovsie Smash champion after completing a superb five-day campaign with an unbeaten record in the T20 competition following a commanding victory in Friday morning&#8217;s final. The Eldos faced what appeared to be their sternest test of the tournament when they took on their fellow unbeatens, Ho\u00ebrskool Transvalia, in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":88300,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-88298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=88298"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88298\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/88300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=88298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=88298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=88298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}