{"id":89484,"date":"2026-01-30T10:22:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T08:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=89484"},"modified":"2026-01-30T10:22:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T08:22:40","slug":"clifton-t20-bigger-and-better-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=89484","title":{"rendered":"Clifton T20 – Bigger and Better in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Only ninth in 2025, Clifton College has been in fine form in the shorter formats of the game early in the season and will approach the Clifton T20 Tournament with confidence. Photo: Brad Morgan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The third annual Clifton T20 Tournament<\/strong>, which brings together KwaZulu-Natal’s top 10 cricket-playing schools, as well as Ho\u00ebrskool Waterkloof<\/strong> and St John’s College (Harare)<\/strong>, has quickly established itself as one of South Africa’s best and most exciting cricket events and, in 2026, the bar has been set even higher, with primary schools added to the tantalising line-up of talent.<\/p>\n

All matches on the Crusaders Main Oval<\/strong>, the primary venue for the Clifton T20, will be broadcast live on DStv Channel 216<\/strong>. Further coverage will be live-streamed on SuperSport Schools<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The broadcast on DStv Channel 216 includes primary school contests, which will be played between the high school games and will provide an unforgettable experience for the juniors, who will also be presented with coloured playing kits.<\/p>\n

At the best of times, T20 cricket outcomes are difficult to predict, but trying to do so for the 2026 edition of the tournament would be foolhardy. That’s one of the things that makes it special, however.<\/p>\n

The hosts, Clifton College<\/strong>, have been drawn in Pool A with Hilton College<\/strong>, Kearsney College<\/strong>, and St John’s<\/strong>. Pool B features Maritzburg College<\/strong>, Northwood<\/strong>, St Charles College<\/strong>, and Westville Boys’ High<\/strong>. Durban High School (DHS)<\/strong>, Glenwood<\/strong>, Waterkloof<\/strong>, and Michaelhouse<\/strong> are in Pool C.<\/p>\n

Starting with Pool A, Clifton’s form in the W100<\/strong>, the Dolphins’ region’s 100-ball competition,\u00a0has been good. They’ve beaten DHS<\/strong><\/a>, the two-time reigning Clifton T20 champion<\/strong><\/a>, and Westville Boys’ High<\/strong><\/a>, last year’s beaten finalist, who have won the W100 for five successive years<\/strong><\/a> in their past two outings.<\/p>\n

Clifton’s captain Shiraz Perumal<\/strong><\/a>, a star performer with the ball in 2025, has shone with the bat early in the season, scoring 111 runs and being dismissed only once in three matches. As the skipper of the side, he’s taken on the responsibility of leadership like a duck to water.<\/p>\n

Hilton College heads into the event off the back of winning the KZN Regional final of the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two<\/strong> <\/a>competition in Pietermaritzburg. Inconsistent in 2025, they, nonetheless, made the semi-finals of the Clifton T20 last year. They appear to be a far more consistent side in 2026, powered by a strong bowling attack, which has set them up for some convincing victories.<\/p>\n

Sechaba Gude<\/strong> and Sange Qangule<\/strong> have excelled with the new ball, while those who follow – Obakeng Motsepa<\/strong>, Sean Burman<\/strong>, Luke Wilson<\/strong>, and Benoit Rey<\/strong> – have all played their part in Hilton’s successes.<\/p>\n

Robert Burman<\/strong> has enjoyed a strong start as captain of the side, setting a good example at the crease, while Barack Munawa<\/strong> and Ben Wilson<\/strong> have provided a reliable opening partnership, laying on sound platforms.<\/p>\n

Kearsney College, with plenty of experience in their line-up, has found form after misfiring at the Grey High Festival<\/strong> before the start of the first term, where they took a while to adapt to the conditions in Gqeberha. They possess a varied attack and some exciting young batsmen. Both of those were on show in a recent pummeling of Glenwood in the W100<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wicketkeeper-batsman Asher Hollister<\/strong> is one on whom to keep an eye. Rivaan Moodley<\/strong>, meanwhile, has developed into a superb all-rounder, challenging batsmen and regularly taking wickets with his leg spin and also playing his part in the top order with his bat.<\/p>\n