The South Africa team before their 2025 TotalEnergies CAF u17 Africa Cup of Nations match against Cameroon at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on 3 April 2025. The sides drew 0-0. Photo: Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix.
After a long period of waiting that left fans in suspense, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has finally revealed the squad that will represent South Africa at the u17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which starts on Monday, 3 November.
They left for Qatar on Thursday, fuelled by aspirations of reigniting the nation’s passion for football, which has seen a resurgence in support for the national teams after decades of disappointment.
The World Cup opportunity is also important for young talents, such as Emile Witbooi, who plays for Cape Town City and attended trials at Chelsea in England last year, to showcase their talents on the global stage.
Coach Vela Khumalo, who guided Amajimbos to World Cup qualifications, told SAFA Media that although there is potential for progress following his team’s preparation match against the Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge team, he was satisfied with their performance on the pitch on Wednesday evening.
“Even though we played very, very well against Kaizer Chiefs, a strong DDC team that is going to Manchester, we cannot get carried away because we played well here. There are certain things that we still need to work on,” he said.
South Africa is placed in Group A of the u17 FIFA World Cup and will play against the host nation, Qatar, as well as Bolivia and Italy.
Amajimbos kick off their World Cup campaign against Bolivia on Monday of next week, followed by their second outing on Thursday, 6 November, against Qatar.
Their final group match will be against Italy on Sunday, 9 November.
Khumalo believes his charges have what it takes to qualify for the knockout stages.
“We can get out of the group from what I saw,” he said. “But you never know if that was the true reflection of the teams or if they were still preparing, but honestly speaking, we stand a good chance of getting out of the group,” he concluded.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Lwandiso Radebe, Keabetswe Morake, Sello Mokhobo
Defenders
Sive Pama, Lunje Noqobo, Liam Marthinus, Alwande Booysen, Abulele Dlekedla
Midfielders
Kamohle Mareletse, Teboho Mlangeni, Joshua Taylor
Forwards
Luke Hendricks, Selywn Stevens, Shaun Els, Emile Witbooi, Tumi Mothapo, Neo Bohloko, Will Henson, Lebohang Dlamini, Omphemetse Sekgoto
Luke Clark commandeered KES’s convincing run chase in their first Johnny Waite Trophy match of the season. Photo: Supplied.
Steele Grooteman and Luke Clark starred with the ball and bat in King Edward VII’s (KES) convincing nine-wicket win over Northcliff in a Johnny Waite Trophy contest on the John Hurry Oval, in Johannesburg, on Wednesday afternoon.
KES won the toss and opted to bowl first on an overcast afternoon. Making good use of the favourable overhead conditions, they dismissed Northcliff for a modest 76 runs in 20 overs.
Clark, then, took control of the chase and raced to an unbeaten half-century to lead KES to 79/1 and a comprehensive win.
When his side took to the field, Matthew Bromley, the KES captain, threw the ball to his main spin bowling threat, Steele Grooteman, and he delivered immediately.
With his very first delivery, he claimed a wicket and, by the seventh over, Grooteman had taken four to reduce Northcliff to 36/4. By the end of his four overs, Grooteman had sent down 17 dot balls and snared 4/16.
He received good support from by Abdullah Mohammed and Connor Kuijers, who took two wickets each, while Uthmaan Khan and Tyler Cloete dismissed a single batsman each.
Only Mabutho Mbambo and Tristan Stanley reached double figures for Northcliff, with Mbambo top-scoring with 25 from 21 balls, while Stanley contributed a more defensive 15 from 34 deliveries.
When KES batted, Clark was unforgiving and aggressive. The opener carved an unbeaten 24-ball 60 that featured seven fours and four sixes and shared a 71-run opening partnership with Tiago Dias, which broke down after 5.2 overs.
Clark and Troy Gordon, then, saw KES over the finishing line, with Gordon ending unbeaten on four from four.
Summarised Scorecard
Northcliff 76/1 (Mabutho Mbambo 25, Tristan Stanley 15; Steele Grooteman 4/16, Abdullah Mohammed 2/8, Connor Kuijers 2/15). KES 79/1 (Luke Clark 60*, Tiago Dias 12; Mohammed Bux 1/6, Regan van der Walt 0/23). KES won by nine wickets.
Northwood took charge early against Clifton College and rolled to a convincing win. Photo: Northwood on Facebook.
Exams are hurtling into view, and with that the 2025 schools’ basketball season is also set to come to an end this coming weekend. On the weekend past, a number of schools also played their last matches of the year.
In a dominant win, Northwood showcased their depth and talent.
However, the contest was not solely controlled by Northwood’s regular starters. Several uncapped players were also given an opportunity to experience first-team basketball. That served as valuable preparation for the Knights‘ basketball team for the forthcoming year, considering that several matriculants will depart the school following their exams.
The primary group of Northwood’s starters, except for their South Africa NationalTeam u18 player, Siya Shabalala, who was unavailable, played for the first half and established a commanding lead.
In the second half, adjustments were made, and those who began the game on the bench entered with confidence and composure, upholding the Knights’ championship mentality and standards, while continuing to extend their lead on the scoreboard.
There was some outstanding scoring from Awande Chiliza, who dropped 24 points, while Sims Vaku contributed 23 points and expertly managed the tempo from the guard position.
By the final whistle, Northwood had almost doubled up Clifton, scoring a decisive 85–43 win.
Kearsney College vs Glenwood High
Pabatso Sithole stole the show for Kearsney College in the Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament final, scoring 26 points in their one-point win over St John’s College.
At Glenwood High, Pabatso Sithole, from Kearsney College, led the team with 12 points, followed closely by Abake Moyo with 11 points, while Kwakuhle Sibiya and Daniel Prinsloo each contributed seven points, and Lubani Mseleku added six points for the visitors.
On Saturday, in the sweltering heat on Glenwood’s outdoor courts, Kearsney started strongly, establishing an eight-point lead of 10-2 by the conclusion of the first quarter.
Kearsney maintained their defensive intensity in the second quarter, allowing Glenwood only three additional points by half-time, while consistently adding to their own total. By half-time, the game was all but decided with Kearsney leading 31-5.
The heat impacted the third and fourth quarters, which led to Kearsney’s intensity dropping. The contest became much tighter, with the Botha’s Hill bunch tacking on another 28 points, while Glenwood found their way by scoring 21 of their own.
It ended 59-26 in favour of the visitors.
Maritzburg College vs St Charles College
On a sweltering summer Saturday, Maritzburg College faced off against St Charles College in a showdown between Pietermaritzburg rivals with established traditions of excellence on the basketball court.
The Alan Paton Memorial Hall buzzed with enthusiasm and anticipation as the tip-off approached. However, both teams started sluggishly, with the extreme heat and the physical nature of the clash exacting a toll. At the end of the first quarter, the Red, Black, and Whiteled 12-8.
A player from St Charles College executing a dunk while the bench of Maritzburg College observes. Photo:
A robust performance from College in the second quarter, however, increased their advantage to 11 points.
Throughout the remainder of the match, it was a back-and-forth tussle. College, though, had set themselves up for victory with their strong second quarter and it finished 58-45 in favour of the home team.
In other matches in KZN, Hilton College and Durban High School (DHS) delivered a thriller. In total, 157 points were scored, but only three separated the sides, with DHS edging it 80-77.
Westville Boys’ High, meanwhile, had the measure of Michaelhouse, winning by 18 points, 65-47.
Eastern Cape
In the Eastern Cape, Queen’s College concluded their schedule with a rout of their great rivals, Dale College. It was one-way traffic, with Queen’s triumphing 73-13.
In Makhanda, St Andrew’s College hosted GreyHigh, and it was the visitors who stunned the home team, pulling off a 43-38 win.
Gauteng
King Edward VII School (KES) followed up their recent success at St David’s Marist Inanda’s Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge by cruising to a 51-29 victory over Pretoria Boys High on Saturday.
KES has been in excellent form. They won all of their matches at the Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge, one of the country’s top basketball tournaments, and had three players selected to the All-Star Team.
They included Siya Ndlovu, who was named the event’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). He who cracked the nod alongside his teammates, Bradley Moyo and Tim Fanny.
On a busy weekend for St John’s College sports’ teams, their basketball side claimed a 39-32 win over St Stithians College.
St David’s, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge by Michael Mount Waldorf last weekend, returned to action with a 57-49 victory over Jeppe High School for Boys.
St Alban’s College completed their year’s programme in style, winning by 20 points against Parktown Boys’ High, 57-37.
Redhill School also picked up a win, beating Helpmekaar College 49-26.
RESULTS
Eastern Cape
Queen’s College 73-13 Dale College
Grey High School 43-38 St Andrew’s College
Gauteng
St John’s College 39-32 St Stithians College
St David’s 57-49 Jeppe
KES 51-29 Pretoria Boys High
St Alban’s College 57-37 Parktown Boys’ High
Redhill 49-26 Helpmekaar
KwaZulu-Natal
Westville 65-47 Michaelhouse
Northwood 89-49 Clifton College
DHS 80-77 Hilton College
Maritzburg College 58-45 St Charles College
Kearsney College 59-26 Glenwood
Kearsney College’s picturesque AH Smith Oval. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Durban High School(DHS) had their way with Kearsney College in a Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two clash played at Kearsney’s AH Smith Oval on Wednesday.
They skittled the home side for only 89 runs and then bounded to an eight-wicket win, although it took them over 17 overs to get there.
DHS skipper Josh van Biljon won the toss and opted to field first. That was a good call, but it needed his bowlers to make it so.
Bonga Mapanga and Josh Morley set Kearsney on the back foot early by removing two of the hosts’ more dangerous ball strikers, Aaron Blackburn and Keegan de Jager, cheaply.
Asher Hollister and Rivaan Moodley advanced the score from 20/2 to 49 before Moodley fell, and Hollister followed on the same total, with Tristan Quail involved in both dismissals. Moodley was caught for 18 by Bonga Mapanga, while Hollister also exited for 18, run out by a combination of Sulaimaan Jadwat and Quail.
The dismissal of the duo led to a collapse and the architect of that collapse was Sibusiso Dube, who grabbed the next four wickets to fall, with his excellent effort with the ball reducing Kearsney from 49/4 to 80/8.
The Botha’s Hill boys weren’t able to advance their total much beyond that, with Bonga Maphanga bowling both James Bishop and Litha Gonya to end Kearsney’s innings on 89.
Dube was the star of the show with the ball, capturing 4/20 in his four overs, while Mapanga sparkled, too, knocking over 2/7 in 3.1. His fellow new ball bowler, Josh Morley, also did a good job and put Kearsney under pressure with a return of 1/15 from four overs.
Faced with a modest 90-run victory target, DHS stumbled out of the gate, losing both openers, Sulaimaan Jadwat and Syad Basha with only 31 runs on the board in the ninth over.
The departure of the openers, though, brought together the experienced Josh van Biljon and Taine Havermann, and they calmly steered DHS to victory, sharing an unbroken stand of 59 runs for the third wicket from 55 balls.
Van Biljon top-scored, striking seven fours in his undefeated 46 from 43 deliveries. Havermann, meanwhile, smashed the only six of Kearsney’s innings – Michael Groom hit Kearsney’s sole six in making 12 from 11 – and finished with 23 not out from 26 balls.
Michael Groom bowled well, picking up 1/7 from three overs, while James Bishop was the only other wicket-taker, snaring 1/7 from two.
Summarised scorecard
Kearsney College 89/10 (Asher Hollister 18, Rivaan Moodley 18; Sibusiso Dube 4/20, Bonga Maphanga 2/7); Durban High School 90/2 (Josh van Biljon 46*, Taine Havermann 23*). Durban High School won by eight wickets.
Bishops Diocesan College vs Victoria Hub (20-over)
In Wednesday’s Switch Schools SA20 fixture, Bishops Diocesan College won the toss on their Frank Reid Oval and decided to bat first against Victoria Hub. Having built up a total that the visitors could not reach, the hosts ended up winning their third round match by 101 runs.
Opener Alex Vintcent got off to an explosive start, hammering eight fours for his 41 runs off 24 deliveries. His fellow opener, Ibraheem Taliep, walloped eight fours and two sixes for an unbeaten 88 off 57.
Kyle Stirk knocked 25 off 24, while Thaafier Japtha clobbered two fours and two maximums for a rapid and unbeaten 25 off 15.
Mushan Idrees was Hub’s tidiest bowler, collecting 1/24 in three overs. The Diocesan outfit secured a total of 188/2 after 20 overs.
In at four for Hub, Muizz Simons scored a conservative 16 off 22, while at five, Zarrar Begg tallied 14 off 13. Bishops were electric in the field. They dismissed two batsmen via runout, while six were caught by the slips and in the deep.
Harry Morgan snapped up 2/9 in 2.3 overs, and Matthew Schultz curtailed 2/11 in three overs. Matthew Edwards also looked tidy, removing 2/21 in four overs. Victoria Hub were bowled all out for 87 after 18.3 overs.
Wolseley High vs Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr (20-over)
In their second round of the Switch Schools SA20, Wolseley High won the toss at home and opted to bat first against HoërskoolCharlie Hofmeyr. The Ceres locals restricted the hosts to a low 92/7, which they chased down with five wickets to spare.
Opener Emanuel Price was the highest scoring Wolseley batsman, contributing 23 runs off 50 deliveries. Unfortunately for him, his teammates couldn’t stick around for long.
Ruben Giliomee was in good form, taking 3/14 in four overs, while Joshua Boer chipped in with a handy 2/10 in two overs.
In at three, Dewald Scholtz produced the highest score of the match, cracking four fours for his 31 off 27. His efforts made the final stages of the chase comfortable for the middle-order batsmen.
Gershwin Goldstein attempted to counter the batsman’s efforts with his 2/18 in four overs. The Charlies prevailed, however, reaching 93/5 after 17 overs, winning the match with 18 spare deliveries.
Summarised Scorecards:
Bishops Diocesan College 188/2 (Ibraheem Taliep 88*, Alex Vintcent 41, Thaafier Japtha 25, Kyle Stirk 25); Victoria Hub 87/10 (Harry Morgan 2/9, Matthew Schultz 2/11, Matthew Edwards 2/21). Bishops won by 101 runs.
Wolseley High 92/7 (Emanuel Price 23, Extras 20; Ruben Giliomee 3/14, Joshua Boer 2/10); Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr 93/5 (Dewald Schultz 31, Extras 25; Gershwin Goldstein 2/18). Charlie Hofmeyr won by five wickets.
For the first time in a while, players participating in the South African Schools’ Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) will not only be playing for more than just provincial glory but also competing for international spots.
This comes after Schools Water Polo South Africa (SWPSA) announced a groundbreaking International Touring Programme, which will see the u16 and u18 boys’ and girls’ teams tour Australia in April 2026.
The teams will go head-to-head with the likes of New Zealand and the United States in the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, a tournament attracting sides from all over the world.
“This marks a major milestone for Schools Water Polo South Africa,” said Richard Irvine, SWPSA Chairperson, on Wednesday.
“The opportunity for our players to compete against top international schools and clubs will accelerate their development and deepen our competitive edge. It’s about preparing future national players and inspiring every young athlete to dream big.
“Final team selections will take place at the 50th South African Schools’ Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT), hosted in Johannesburg this December — an especially symbolic moment as South African school water polo celebrates half a century of excellence and tradition.”
SWPSA further added that the tour falls in line with their commitment to build elite performance pathways for school-aged athletes. The programme will also provide international exposure and learning opportunities while strengthening the future pipeline of South African water polo talent.
“This tour is the first of many,” Cathy Macleod, SWPSA Executive Member, added.
“We want to see our players competing regularly on the global stage, learning from the best, and returning home with the confidence and experience that fuels long-term success.”
The SWPSA invites partners and sponsors to join the journey and support the young athletes as they represent South Africa with pride and passion in Australia.
The 2025 South African Schools Water Polo Inter-Provincial tournament will run from 6 to 10 December.
In the second round of the Switch Schools SA20 on Tuesday, SACS won the toss on their De Villiers Oval and decided to bat first against Pinelands High.
The hosts delivered a strong all-round effort to score and defend their total, ultimately winning the match by 44 runs.
In at four, Jordan Berry smashed four fours for his 36 runs off 27 balls. Two spots down the middle order, Matthew Hill struck two fours in his unbeaten innings of 26, off 19. The two middle-order batsmen kept the run rate flowing during the middle and back ends of the innings.
Saud Fakier looked dangerous, taking 2/22 in three overs, while Sean Cupido recorded figures of 2/34 in four overs. SACS went in to field having to defend a total of 156/7 after 20 overs.
Cupido opened the batting and struck a solid 42 off 45, including three fours and two sixes. Down the middle order, Adan Eksteen was the only other Pinelands batsman appearing comfortable at the crease, blasting two sixes for his 25 off 20.
Abhay Kalan led the hosts’ bowling attack, cleaning out 4/12 in four overs. Alex Hodgkinson finished off the tail-enders, claiming 3/11 in 3.5 overs. The visitors were dismissed for 112/10 after 19.5 overs.
Curro Durbanville vs HTS Drostdy (20-over)
In their second round match of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume 2, HTS Drostdy won the toss and selected to bat first at Curro Durbanville.
The visitors were dominant with both bat and ball, ultimately winning the fixture by 157 runs.
Drostdy got off to a tough start. Their top order was dismissed with the score at 25/3. However, Ruan Nortje and Bryan Cochrane came in at five and four respectively, and the pair delivered an unbeaten 170-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Nortje blasted eight fours and three sixes for his unbeaten 89 runs off 56 balls, while Cochrane contributed four fours and two sixes for an unbeaten 67 off 49.
Janré Lourens was the only Durbanville bowler to take more than one wicket, recording 2/55 in five overs. The Donkies reached a large total of 195/3 after 20 overs.
In the chase, M-Jay van Reenan delivered an impactful 3/4 in just one over with the ball. Alex Matthee chipped in with 2/2 in two overs, while StephanSteyn dismissed 2/4 in 2.1 overs. None of the host batsmen managed to stay in long against such a formidable bowling attack. The Curro outfit was bowled out for 38 after 15 overs.
Summarised Scorecards:
SACS 156/6 (Jordan Berry 36, Matthew Hill 26*; Saud Fakier 2/22, Sean Cupido 2/34); Pinelands High 112/10 (Sean Cupido 42, Adan Eksteen 25; Abhay Kalan 4/12, Alex Hodgkinson 3/11). SACS won by 44 runs.
HTS Drostdy 195/3 (Ruan Nortje 89*, Bryan Cochrane 67*, Extras 23; Janré Lourens 2/55); Curro Durbanville 38/10 (M-Jay van Reenen 3/4, Alex Matthee 2/2, Stephan Steyn 2/4). Drostdy won by 157 runs.
In Tuesday’s second round of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume 2, Milnerton High won the toss and chose to field first at Rondebosch Boys’ High.
The hosts put up a solid total, which they defended with top-tier bowling to set themselves up for a 91-run victory.
Opener Eli Aufrichtig smashed four fours and a six for his 71 runs off 55 balls. Down the middle order, Raa’id Davids was the next best ‘Bosch batsman, hitting an undefeated 25 off 15.
Tristan Logie was the best bowler for the visitors, claiming figures of 2/34 in four overs. Rondebosch secured a total of 147/6 after 20 overs.
In at three, Michael Bloemetjie produced 26 off 35, which was the best effort that any Millies batsman could muster against a dangerous home bowling attack.
Aufrichtig was also brilliant with the ball, dispatching 2/2 in two overs. Schalk Fourie was another player on song, cleaning out 2/7 in his two overs. Milnerton lost all 10 wickets for 56 runs in 18.3 overs.
Hoërskool Fichardtpark vs St. Andrew’s School (20-over)
In their third round encounter of the Switch Schools SA20, St. Andrew’s School won the toss and opted to bat first at Hoërskool Fichardtpark.
The Saints were excellent with both bat and ball to win the match by 10 wickets.
Nevin Olivier’s two fours in his 14 runs off 14 balls provided the most entertaining Fichardtpark innings against a merciless St. Andrew’s bowling attack. Having bowled four overs each, Schalk van Rensburg took 3/13, Ryle Beckmann 2/11, and Erhard Barens 2/17. With their collected efforts, the hosts were dismissed for 66.
Openers Dean Katzin and Jonathan Hickley struck an unbeaten 68-run partnership to win the match in 5.5 overs. Katzin thumped six fours for his unbeaten 33 off 23, while Hickley cracked four fours and a six for his 28 off 12 not out.
Saints’ top order batsman, FG Botha, wasn’t afforded the opportunity to display his skills with the bat, but was a workhorse in the field on his 100th cap for St. Andrew’s. He is only the seventh player in seven years to achieve this milestone under coach AJ van Wyk.
Summarised Scorecards:
Rondebosch Boys’ High 147/6 (Eli Aufrichtig 71, Raa’id Davids 25*; Tristan Logie 2/34); Milnerton High 56/10 (Michael Bloemetjie 26; Eli Aufrichtig 2/2, Schalk Fourie 2/7). Rondebosch won by 91 runs.
Hoërskool Fichardtpark 66/10 (Schalk van Rensburg 3/13, Ryle Beckman 2/11, Erhard Barends 2/17); St. Andrew’s School 68/0 (Dean Katzin 33*, Jonathan Hickley 28*). St. Andrew’s won by 10 wickets.
“I’m very excited to be able to represent my country; it means the world to me,” Stipcevich said.
“I feel very fortunate that I was selected. I am the first in my family to play for South Africa, and it is an opportunity many people do not get to experience, so I’m grateful.”
The midfield maestro had a wonderful season with St David’s this year.
His hard work on the turf was rewarded after he was named in the Southern Gauteng u18A side for the SASHOC National Week. Stipcevich was influential and played a major role in helping the side reach the final, only to go down against Western Province.
Photo: Supplied
His performances in front of the selectors earned him a spot in the SA Schools team. He admitted it’s something he’s been working towards since he started playing hockey.
“I would say it’s a dream come true.
“I started playing hockey when I was eight, and seeing players like Jamie Seale and Dalpiarro Langford representing South Africa, it quickly became my long-term goal. I was working towards it as my biggest dream.”
The 17-year-old doesn’t shy away from putting in the hard yards on the turf, doing extra defensive work, and putting his body on the line. He also has the incredible ability to scan the field, make crucial plays and take calculated risks, which pay off more often than not.
Stipcevich will be paired with some of the best from around the country and is excited to bring his skills to the party.
“I am very keen to play at the top level with this team. I’m looking forward to us gelling as a unit because I believe all of us combined can be a force to be reckoned with.
“From me, you can expect a team player who will put in the hard yards and do anything in his power to ensure the success of the team,” he concluded.
TEAM
Marley Musasa, Daniel Fisher (both Rondebosch Boys’ High and Western Province), Viwe Ndlovu, Andile Lembethe (both Maritzburg College and KZN Inland), Ruben Gouws, Logan Lackey (both Paul Roos Gimnasium and Boland), Cameron Cordeiro, Chavez Sanger, Mohlodi Maseko (all SACS and Western Province), Keegan de Jager (Kearsney College, KZN Coastal), Jacques van Dyk (Stellenberg High, Western Province), Liam Brooker (Pretoria Boys High, Northern Gauteng), Thandanani Zuma (Michaelhouse, KZN Inland), Matteo Stipcevich (St David’s Marist Inanda, Southern Gauteng), Neilyandro van Schalkwyk (Grey College, Southern Free State), Ryan Groenewald (Fairmont High, Western Province), Chad Julius (Wynberg Boys’ High, Western Province), Martin de Bruyn (Paarl Boys’ High, Boland).
FIXTURES
Note: Fixtures are in South African Standard Time.
2 November
12:00 – South Africa vs Australia Crocs
3 November
12:00 – South Africa vs Malaysia Tigers
5 November
12:00 – South Africa vs Malaysia Speedy
6 November
10:00 – South Africa vs Queensland (Australia)
TIMOTHY BAKER, of Merensky Landbou Akademie, in action during the Limpopo Super League Final against Hoërskool Piet Potgieter. PHOTO: Ankia Botha.
An experienced Limpopo Impala side has been named to take the field during the 2025 Khaya Majola Week, which starts on 15 December in Bloemfontein.
The squad of 13 players features five players who represented the side in 2024 in Cape Town.
Noteworthy returnees include Hoërskool Piet Potgieter‘s star batsman, Muhammed Muaaz, and left-arm off-spinner Timothy Baker from Merensky Landbou Akademie.
Baker was one of the Limpopo Super League’s leading wicket-takers for a second year running, boasting 15 wickets in six matches, while Muaaz was sixth on the leading run-scoring charts with 169 runs at an average of 42.3. Baker and Muaaz also faced each other in the final, which the Plasies won convincingly.
Mahlodi Sekuba of Mohodi Hub, located just outside Polokwane, also returns. This year, however, Sekuba is the only representative from the Hub. The same applies to Ntshuxeko Sebata from Giyani Hub. Bradley Sekoto is joined by Phalaborwa Hub team member Benji Mathebula.
Merensky captain, Luka Heinlein, and Rayaan Malji, Piet Potgieter’s second representative, both graduated from last year’s u17 side as Limpopo’s two dangerous all-rounders. Their stats speak for themselves.
Malji, a key member of Piet Potgieter on the road to the Super League Final, scored 173 runs at an average of 43.3, the fourth most throughout the league, while also snaffling 14 wickets. Heinlein snapped up 19 wickets at an astonishing economy rate of 2.7 to the over, making him the leading wicket-taker, just ahead of Baker, while he scored 134 runs in five innings.
Jannes van Zyl follows in the footsteps of Lucas van der Merwe, who was Hoërskool Nylstroom‘s only representative last year. Van Zyl also graduated from the u17 side, while he also represented the province at the CSA u16 National Week a year before.
Another valuable all-rounder, Stephan Swanepoel, is Hoërskool Pietersburg‘s sole representative. Swanepoel’s main role will likely be with the willow, although his off-spin may come in handy, especially in the Bloemfontein conditions.
Hoërskool Ben Vorster boasts the most representatives, with three players from the Black Caps getting the nod. Rivonigo Chauke‘s inclusion comes as no surprise. The Ben Vorster fast bowler has already made significant strides representing the CSA Hub Invitational XI at both the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week and the Wildeklawer T20 in Pretoria earlier this year. He was also invited to the Titans Talent Identification Camp, or “TAP Camp”.
Chauke is accompanied by his captain, Njabulo Maseko, who, like numerous others in the side, graduated from the u17 side, and Ruben Pohl. Pohl’s inclusion means that he completes the double, having also featured at the Craven Week in Middelburg in July, while still only in Grade 11.
Bishops Diocesan College vs Victoria Hub (20-over)
SACS vs Pinelands High (20-over)
