Blog

Die Hoërskool Durbanville het die afgelope jare groot opgang gemaak in WP Rugby. Die junior spanne het groot skole laat les opsê en verskeie 7’s toernooi titels ingepalm.

Die Eerste XV het verlede jaar ‘n goeie seisoen beleef deur die plaaslike spanne oortuigend te klop en behaal ook seges oor SACS en Stellenberg in die 15-man kode en oor Paul Roos en HTS Drostdy in die 7’s formaat. Durbanville lewer ook vier WP o.18-spelers in die 2019 rugby-seisoen.

Die Hoërskool Durbanville is bevoorreg om vanjaar een van die land se kundigste en mees ervare rugbyafrigters, Hans Coetzee as Direkteur van Rugby te kon aanstel. Coetzee, ‘n voormalige Direkteur van Rugby by Monnas (Hoërskool Monument op Krugersdorp) is alombekend vir sy kundigheid, ervaring en tegniese analise van die spel. Sy evaluering en ontwikkeling van afrigters maak hom ‘n aanwins vir die oudste Afrikaanse hoërskool in Suid-Afrika.

Coetzee, ‘n voormalige breier van die Goue Leeus, het ook die SA Akademie en SA Skole rugbyspanne afgerig en word beskou as een van die land se mees gerespekteerde afrigters. 

Durbanville slaan inderwaarheid ‘n dubbele slag deur nie net Coetzee in die pos van Direkteur van Rugby aan te stel, maar ook Mnr. Coenie Venter, wat alom beskou word as een van Suid-Afrika se top skoolhoofde en ook voormalige wenner van hierdie prestige toekenning, as skoolhoof.

Die skool en die Durbanville gemeenskap is baie opgewonde om mense van hierdie statuur te verwelkom. Vanjaar se Eerste XV sal strawwe kompetisie hê en speel teen spanne soos HTS Drostdy, Waterkloof, Noordheuwel, Oakdale, Bishops, SACS Outeniqua en Stellenberg.

Die Eerste XV neem vanjaar deel aan die Noord Suid Rugbytoernooi in Pretoria, die WP Rugbydag op die Kaapstad stadion en die Marius Schoeman 7’s toernooi in die Paarl.

Die Durbanville-gemeenskap verwelkom Coenie Venter en Hans Coetzee by die Durbie-familie.

[powr-comments id=”4564bb44_1581313229406″]

Parents whos children and probably unions and schools will have to cough up approximately R3 150 per rugby player who is chosen for this year’s u18 Academy Week and the u13 Craven Week. SA Rugby and the South African Schools Rugby Association (Sasra) had to make some tough decisions for the second year that the Youth Weeks will be hosted without a sponsor. 

The R3 150 doesn’t include transport to the venue and both these tournaments hosted by Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg will be self-funded. SA Rugby is apparently searching for opportunities to attract sponsors and/or to bring down the cost of the tournaments. 

It was also decided to bundle these two tournaments together. During the last couple of years, the u18 Academy Week was run hosted at the same venue as the u18 Craven Week, while the Grant Khomo Week and u13 Craven Week were hosted together. The u13 Craven Week will also be shortened from four matches per team to only three games. 

It is good news that all the Youth Weeks will still exist, but the various associations have until 14 February to inform the Sasra’s secretary, Kervin Grove, if they will be sending a team to these two weeks. The two weeks will take place from 14 to 18 June 2020. 

The meeting by Sasra also tabled the suggestion that the LSEN Week (for learners with special educational needs) be divided into two sections with a tournament for North and South. The LSEN Association will have to make the final decision on how the week will be structured. 

The South African Schools Rugby Association also confirmed that they will still be aligning itself with SA Rugby’s Strategic Transformation Plan 2030. This means that each team of 23 players attending the Youth Weeks still have to comply by selecting a minimum of 12 players of colour. It is also noted that foreign players, schooled in South Africa can be selected for the Youth Weeks but black foreign players do not count as players of colour.   

This further escalates the problem that associations, the unions as well as the schools will face. If a player that is picked for the representative team and can’t pay to attend the tournament it could increase the costs that other parents, associations, unions and their schools might have to cover. 

The u18 Craven Week and u16 Grant Khomo Week will be held in conjunction with each other from 21 to 27 June in Port Elizabeth. They will be funded by SA Rugby. In a letter to the various stakeholders the chairman of Sasra, Noel Ingle, states that they understand the challenges that are facing school rugby in South Africa and that the plan communicated to the associations is to ensure that Sasra is in line with Saru’s 2020 Recovery Plan. 

The Youth Weeks was left without a sponsor in 2019 after Coca-Cola decided not to renew its long-standing relationship with SA Rugby after 35 years.

The teams that are invited to the Youth Weeks: 

Craven Week: Blue Bulls, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Free State, Griffons, Griqualand West, Limpopo Blue Bulls, Golden Lions, Leopards, Pumas, Sharks, South Western Districts, Valke, Western Province, Western Province XV.

Grant Khomo Week: Blue Bulls, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Free State, Griffons, Griqualand West, Limpopo Blue Bulls, Golden Lions, Leopards, Pumas, Sharks, South Western Districts, Valke, Western Province, Western Province XV, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Border Country Districts, Iqhawe XV.

u18 Academy Week: Blue Bulls, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Free State, Griffons, Griqualand West, Limpopo Blue Bulls, Golden Lions, Leopards, Pumas, Sharks, South Western Districts, Valke, Western Province, Western Province XV, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Border Country Districts.

u13 Craven Week: Blue Bulls, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Free State, Griffons, Griqualand West, Limpopo Blue Bulls, Golden Lions, Leopards, Pumas, Sharks, South Western Districts, Valke, Western Province, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Border Country Districts.

LSEN Week – North: Blue Bulls, Griffons, Golden Lions, Leopards, Pumas, Valke. South: Boland, Eastern Province, Free State, Sharks, South Western Districts, Western Province.

[powr-comments id=”5dde5778_1580879865149″]

After two days of exciting T20 cricket hosted at the beautiful Kearsney College the hosts emerged victorious and were named champions of the coastal school’s section.

With all to play for the Kearsney won the toss and decided to bat first, realising that scoreboard pressure could play a pivotal role for the chasing side. Having batted first in both the quarters and the semis the team would have felt confident with setting-up a competitive score to defend.

The side started off well going at close to 9 an over. Opener Louis Nel fell early on for 4 from 11 balls, whereas opening partner Jared Uys played a commanding innings of 50 from 32 balls which gave the middle-order a platform to build on. On his way to 50, he hit nine boundaries which included some sweetly timed cover drives.

Dylan Hullet came in and looked dangerous from the outset, scoring at a rate of 176, he ended his innings on 30 from 17 balls which included three sixes. Batting with skipper Cade Carmichael the two Kearsney batsmen looked to taking apart the Clifton attack as they put together a 36-run partnership.

After Hullet fell to the bowling of Romashan Pillay, Carmichael decided it was time to capitalise on the strong foundation as he went into overdrive as he brought up his second half-century off just 25 balls which included four large sixes. His destructive boundary hitting rests on his strength of being able to clear the boundary with his powerful slog sweeps which even Jonty Rhodes would be proud of.

Ronan Varaday, however, ended Carmichael’s parade as he had him caught by Montgomery out in the deep as Carmichael looked to clear the rope. Varaday then picked up several quick middle-order wickets where he bagged five for two runs in the space of 12 balls. He ended up as the pick of the bowlers picking up overall figures of 5/13 from his four overs.

The skiddy pacer bowled well at a period where it looked as if Kearsney would get to a score well above two hundred. The spell ended with Varaday bowling full and straight where he had the stumps castling over to pick up five on his last ball.

At the half-way stage with the surface looking like a good batting wicket in the first innings, Clifton would have felt that they were in with a sniff. Clifton needing to go at over 8.5 runs to the over from the start was put under pressure as Kearsney opening bowlers Dean Gibbs and Matthew Murray bowled disciplined lines, Murray ended the innings with figures of 1/18 from 3 overs.

Opener Ross Montgomery struck three boundaries in a knock of 25 runs from 22 balls. The rest of the batsmen made starts but could not carry on in the same destructive manner as the Kearsney batsmen had done earlier in the day.

The only batsmen to go at a strike rate of more than 150 was Teagan Ridgeway. who ended on 49 not out off 32 balls which included six fours and one maximum. He was well supported by Romashan Pillay who looked at rotating the strike in order to get back on strike before he was dismissed leg- wicket by Carmichael for 20 runs from 19 balls.

This, however, was not enough as Clifton fell short by 25 runs.

Summarised Scorecard:

Kearsney College 174 all-out after 19.4 overs (Cade Carmichael 50 (25b), J.Uys 50 (32b), Ronan Vardaya 5/13, N.Jeewa 1/8), Clifton 149/6 after 20 overs (Teagan Ridgeway 49* (32b), Ross Montgomery 25 (22b), Cade Carmichael 1/27, L.Gwarube 1/10). Kearsney College win by 25 runs.

[powr-comments id=”0c99d906_1580719525243″]

It is match between the two school teams of the South African Schools’ selectors, Deon Botes (Affies) and Mike Bechet (Jeppe High School) it was the latter who got in the last laugh.

Jeppe won the match played at Affies’ main oval in Pretoria by five wickets thanks to excellent performances by their two Lions Cubs’ players, Zakhele Sibanda and Breidyn Schaper.

Sibanda picked up a five-wicket haul on a low-scoring pitch as Affies scrapped to reach 178/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Sibanda picked up his final wicket with the last delivery of the innings rearranging Edward Nel’s (5) stumps.

Sibanda also rearranged Zander Potgieter (12), Dirk Herbst (21) and Schalk Engelbrecht’s (4) stumps while trapping Jacques Pienaar (0) for a golden duck with his legs before the wicket.

Scheiper, who also captains Jeppe, saw his side through with an unbeaten innings of 51 runs with five overs to spare. Affies needed a wicket early but the opening partnership of 52 runs by Dylan Nicholas (36) and Luke Hall (31) gave the visiting side the platform they needed.

Schalk Engelbrecht (3/26) was the pick of the Affie bowlers, while Lleyton Troskie (45) led the charge with the bat in hand.

St Stithians College was in total control away from home against King Edward VII at the latter’s John Hurry Oval. Saints won the match by 115 runs after accumulating a more than competitive 258/3 in their allotted 50 overs.

Jodi de Sousa (83), Liam Mostert (60) and Reuben du Toit (54*) all weighed in with half-centuries. De Sousa and Mostert shared a 119-run second-wicket partnership before the latter were ran-out by Zach Momberg.

Du Toit and Billy van Zyl (31*) shared an unbeaten 91-run partnership over the fourth wicket. Momberg (1/68) was the only bowler of KES managing to remove a batsman from the crease.

KES was restricted to a modest 143 runs with their opening batsman Gareth Lonie (74) almost managing to carry his bat. Liam McCarthy (2/28), Justin Gouws (2/29), Thomas Winter (2/30) and Ngenyasha Zvinoera (2/33) all managed to trouble the KES batting line-up with their bowling.

PHOTO: William Brown

Summarised Scorecards:

Affies 178/9 (Lleyton Troskie 45, Jaco Beneke 32, Dihan Bekker 26; Zakhele Sibanda 5/59, Cian Robertson 3/36); Jeppe High School for Boys 179/5 (Breidyn Schaper 51*, Dylan Nicholas 36, Luke Hall 31; Schalk Engelbrecht 3/26). Jeppe High School for Boys won by five wickets.

St Stithians College 258/3 (Jodi de Sousa 83, Liam Mostert 60, Reuben du Toit 54*, Billy van Zyl 31*; Zack Momberg 1/68); King Edward VII 143 (Gareth Lonie 74, Kian Schwartz 27; Liam McCarthy 2/28, Justin Gouws 2/29, Thomas Winter 2/30, Ngenyasha Zvinoera 2/33). St Stithians College won by 115 runs.

[powr-comments id=”b82ce5a3_1580639792960″]

Die Hoërskool Waterkloof se eerste krieketspan is terug op die wenpad danksy ‘n honderdtal deur Simeon de Bruyn (101) is sy derde wedstryd in die A-afdeling van die Finsbury-liga teen Potchefstroom Volkskool.

De Bruyn het met sy honderdtal van 104 aflewerings wat slegs agt grenshoue ingesluit het die Klofies gehelp om ‘n stewige 284/7 in sy toegelate 50 boulbeurte aan te teken. De Bruyn het goeie ondersteuning eers vanaf Hardus Coetzer (60) en daarna vanaf Zander Mare (70) ontvang.

Coetzer en De Bruyn het ‘n vennootskap van 133 lopies om die vierde paaltjie gedeel. Daarna het Mare ne De Bruyn kragte vir ‘n vennootskap van 80 lopies om die vyfde paaltjie saamgespan.

Potch Volkies kon net 103 lopies in antwoord op Waterkloof se totaal aanteken met Christiaan Bester (46) wat amper die helfte van sy span se lopies aangeteken het. Kyle Welman het met sy regterhandse bybreekboulwerk die meeste skade met ‘n boulontleding van 3/14 aangerig.

Die Hoërskool Centurion het sy onoorwonne status behou deur die Hoërskool Nelspruit met 92 lopies te klop. Die Woeries het 222 lopies behaal danksy vyftigtalle deur Damian Groenewald (55) en Nathan Wentzel (55).

Nelspruit se Rohan de Meyer het van vier kolwers vir slegs 32 lopies ontslae geraak. De Meyer was daarna met die kolf ook die enigste speler in sy span wat hond haaraf kon maak. Hy het 37 van sy span se 130 lopies aangeteken.

Menlopark het ook nie veel probleme ondervind om oor die Hoërskool Rustenburg met 184 lopies koning te kraai nie. Die Parkies het 252 lopies behaal danksy bydraes deur Wybri Thuynsma (52), Kian Heuer (42), Johnny van der Schyff (41), Corné Burger (31) en Justin Fourie (30).

Rusties is daarna vir net 68 uitgeboender na Menlopark se aanvangsboulers Janno van Zyl (2/9) en Fourie (2/10) met hul openingskof die tuisspan se toporde laat steier. Daarna het Sebastian Strydom (3/19) met sy boulwerk die Rusties gekasty.

Beknopte telkaarte: 

Waterkloof 284/7 (Simeon de Bruyn 101, Zander Mare 70, Hardus Coetzer 60; Corné Prinsloo 2/48, Christopher de Freitas 2/53); Potchefstroom Volkskool 103 (Christiaan Bester 46; Kyle Welman 3/14, SW Kemp 2/18). Waterkloof wen met 181 lopies.

Hoërskool Centurion 222 (Damian Groenewald 55, Nathan Wentzel 55, Jonathan Vorster 36; Rohan de Meyer 4/32, Renier Holtzhausen 2/48, Hannes Feuth 2/49); Hoërskool Nelspruit 130 (Rohan de Meyer 37, Ekstras 27; Henré Hayes 2/8, Jonathan Vorster 2/17, Conrad Mouton 2/23). Centurion wen met 92 lopies.

Hoërskool Menlopark 252 (Wybri Thuynsma 52, Kian Heuer 42, Johnny van der Schyff 41, Corné Burger 31, Justin Fourie 30; Nathan van der Westhuizen 2/39, Rico Fryer 2/43, Charl Naudé 2/50); Hoërskool Rustenburg 68 (Nicklis van Onselen 23; Sebastian Strydom 3/19, Janno van Zyl 2/9, Justin Fourie 2/10). Menlopark wen met 184 lopies.

[powr-comments id=”6d438bc8_1580635135147″]

Kearsney College’s Dave Hullet carried on his good form from yesterday with a consecutive half-century, 59 from 44 balls which propelled the hosts to a defendable total of 142/8 in 20 overs. Number six Joshua Stocks provided the back end of the innings with the impotence needed to put the side in a good position at the halfway stage of the game.

Stocks hit several big hits which cleared the boundary with relative ease. Northwood opening bowler Sam Carnie bowled well and had economical figures 2/6 from 2 overs.

In response, Northwood struggled to get into a groove to score at the required rate. The side’s top order struggled and lost three wickets within the powerplay proving cricket pundits correct, with it being difficult in T20 cricket to win a game from that position. Captain, Cade Carmichael, who normally is the first-choice keeper was the pick of the bowlers ending up with figures of 3/9 in 2.2 overs. Kearsney won the match by 53 runs.

In the other semi-final, Clifton lost the toss and was asked to set a total. In what was the game of the day Clifton’s opener Joshua Platford got the side off to a flier scoring a quickfire 23 from 14 balls with two fours and two sixes. He was caught off the bowling of Rasen Naidoo.

Number three Nabeel Jeewa scored 35 from 31 balls and helped himself to five boundaries. The rest of the side chipped in to get Clifton to 120 in 19.5 overs. Glenwood’s Russel Hein added to his impressive performance from yesterday by bagging himself two sticks as he ended with figures of 4 overs 2/21.

Glenwood would have fancied themselves to chase down the modest total. However, the Clifton bowling unit was not going to have any of it by successfully defending the total. Opening bowler Ronan Vardaya took 3/22 from his four overs. He was well supported by the other bowlers who managed to restrict the batting side to 116/7 in 20 overs. Captain, SJ de Klerk, took control of the innings with a composed 42 from 46 balls but was not quite enough to get his side over the line as he was dismissed with the side still needing 23 to win.

Hein took the game down to the wire getting his side within reach needing 10 runs to win. Losing two wickets in a row from the first two balls in the last over was always going to make it tough. Vardaya, however, over-stepped on the second last ball of the over and presented the batting side with a free hit which only was put away for one.

The pressure mounted and proved too big an ask for the lower order as Glenwood narrowly lost by 4 runs. Cricket really is a game of inches and on another day this result could have swayed the other way.

The final will be played between Kearsney and Clifton this afternoon starting at 1:00 pm with the winners playing for a chance to represent the coastal side at the National Competition to be hosted later in the year.

Summarised Scorecards: 

Clifton 120 all-out from 19.5 overs (Nabeel Jeewa 35(31b), Russel Hein 2/21); Glenwood 116/7 from 20 overs (SJ de Klerk 42(46b), Ronan Vardaya 4-3-22). Clifton won by 4 runs.

Kearsney College 142/8 after 20 overs (Dave Hullet 59 (44b); Sam Carnie 2-6-2), Northwood after 89 from 18.2 overs (Tanner Capell 27 (26b), Cade Carmichael 3/9). Kearsney College won by 53 runs.

Final Fixtures 31st January 2020

Kearsney College 1st XI vs Clifton High School 1st XI at 1:00 pm

 

Kearsney College hosted the quarter-finals of the KZN Coca-Cola Schools T20 tournament earlier this afternoon. The day saw two separate sessions with two morning games and two afternoon games. The winning teams of each of yesterday’s matches will progress on today’s semi-finals with the winners of those matches play in the final.

Morning Matches

Westville Boys’ High was sent into bat which proved to be a good option by Glenwood’s captain, SJ De Klerk. Westville’s openers took their time to get going. First change bowlers B.Cele and R.Wood brought the breakthrough and each ended with figures of 2/12 from 3 overs and 2/20 from 4 overs respectively.

Glenwood bowled as a unit and made it particularly difficult for the batsmen to get the scoreboard ticking. R.Heine made it difficult for the middle-order as he bowled neatly picking up three wickets. Westville ended on 97/8 after 20 overs.

Glenwood lost an early wicket with Cele getting run-out for 1 by D.Rae. The top-order batted sensibly in order to ensure a comfortable win by 6 wickets. SJ De Klerk made sure that the middle order was not exposed to what was a tough batting wicket and was well aided by C.Laycock, 22 from 14 balls and M.Halstead 39 from 39 balls. Westville used six different bowlers in the aid to find a breakthrough.

Afternoon Matches

Hosts Kearsney College played up against Thomas More College the largest win for the day winning by 104-runs. The hosts racked up the runs by scoring 199/7 after 20 overs. The innings started off with the early fall of L.Nel who was dismissed for a duck. Opening partner D.Hullet steadied the ship with 59 from 42 balls.

Captain and Wicket-keeper batsmen Cade Carmichael stole the show with a blistering innings of 64 from 23 balls which consisted of ten boundaries, six of them coming in the form of maximums. He came in with team sitting at 96/3 after 12.5 overs and took on the spinners with ease playing some fantastic slog sweeps, he was caught on the boundary in the last over. Leg-spinner M.Sim’s first 3 overs went for 18/2 and would have been pick of the bowlers before getting dispatched.

With an asking rate of just under 10 an over from the start, it was always going to be a steep hill to climb. Thomas More opening batsmen M.Davey batted well to get to 29 from 36 balls but was running out of partners at the other end. The Kearsney bowlers shared the wickets amongst themselves although opening bowler J.Roets did not pick up any wickets he bowled tight lines only going for 11 runs whilst his partner J.Stocks picked up 2/20 during his spell. Left-arm medium-pacer M.McMurray picked up 2/14 in 3 overs which saw him castling over

In the second match, Kloof played up against Northwood which was another low scoring game with Kloof ending on 91/8 after 20 overs. Opener J.Jarryd top-scored with an innings of 34 from 27 balls. A massive collapse which saw Kloof lose five wickets for 26 runs which halted the side’s chances of putting up a big total. Fortunately, Keagan played a well-paced innings of 33 from 40 balls which got the team to a defendable total. T.Chiliiza ended with neat figures of 2/8 from four overs.

Northwood chased down the target within with 14.5 overs with opening batsman Thulani Chiliza the standout batsmen scoring 50 from 45 balls at a strike rate of 111. Chiliza had a great all-round performance making sure Northwood was carried over the line. With not much on the board, the bowlers found it tough to take wickets which would have helped build some pressure. Samkelo stood out picking up 2/21 in 3.5 overs.

Results Quarter- Finals 30 January 2020

Westville Boys’ High 97/8 from 20 overs (J.Slaney 24 (23b); R.Heine 4-3-13, B.Cele 3-2-12); Glenwood 98/4 from 16.4 overs ((M.Halstead 39 (39b), SJ De Klerk 26 (40b), A.Dunford 1.4-1-13). Glenwood win by 6 wickets.

Clifton 140/7 from 20 overs () Durban High School 97 from 19.3 overs) Clifton win by 43 runs.

Kearsney College 197/8 after 20 overs (Cade Carmichael 64 (23b) and D.Hullet 59 (42b), H.Brimelow 4-2-30 ); Thomas More College after 20 overs (M.davey 28 (36b), M.McMurray 3-2-14, J.Stocks 4-2-20). Kearsney College win by 104 runs.

Kloof 91/8 from 20 overs (Jarryd 34(27) and Keagan 33(40b), Thulani Chiliza 2/8); Northwood 92/8 from 14.5 overs (Thulani Chiliza 50*(45b), Samkelo 3.5-2-21). Northwood win by 7 wickets.

Semi-Final Fixtures 31st January 2020

Kearsney College 1st XI vs Northwood 1st XI at 9:00 am
Glenwood 1st XI vs Clifton High School 1st XI at 9:00 am

[powr-comments id=”33e00ecd_1580455535568″]

An impressive bowling display from Rakibul Hasan helped Bangladesh under-19s seal a convincing 104-run victory over South Africa under-19s to advance to the ICC under-19 Cricket World Cup Super League semi-final in Potchefstroom on Thursday.

Hasan claimed leading figures of five for 19 as the young Tigers dismissed the junior Proteas for 157 all out after they posted a competitive 261/5 thanks to half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan (80), Shahadat Hossain (74) and Tawhid Hridoy (51).

South Africa won the toss under sunny skies at the JB Marks Oval and elected to put Bangladesh to bat. That plan didn’t work for the home side, as Parvez Emon (17) and T. Hasan put on 60 runs for the opening stand, with the latter going on to reach his half-ton (80 off 84 balls, 12 fours) despite losing Emon and Mahmudul Joy (3) in quick succession.

With an in-form batter at the crease, Hridoy walked in and played the anchoring role in two 50-run partnerships with T. Hasan and Hossain, respectively, on his way to a measured 73-ball 51 (two fours).

While at the other end, Hossain blasted an unbeaten 74 off 76 deliveries, including seven fours and one six to propel the subcontinent outfit to a competitive total.

In their chase, the SA U19s got off to a decent start before losing three crucial wickets within the 16th over, including Jonathan Bird, who looked good during his 35 off 39 balls, and the tournament’s top runs scorer and captain, Bryce Parsons (7).

The home side failed to recover from that early setback and despite a valiant half-century from Luke Beaufort (60 off 91 balls; six fours), R. Hasan continued to chip away with wickets in regular intervals as they skittled out the home side with 7.3 overs to spare.

“We approached this match today as per normal, we played a few series before this World Cup and in the dressing room we discussed that we have a good strategy and just have to apply our plans on the field,” the Player of the Match, Rakibul Hasan commented.

“We played with an extra spinner and we had a good day with our spin and the plan worked during the middle period and wrist spinners bowled well along with the main bowlers and that’s why we did well in this game,” he added.

[powr-comments id=”a1a99ed2_1580448879596″]

South Africa under-19s head coach, Lawrence Mahatlane, says the team is focused on executing their skills and playing their best game as they prepare to take on Bangladesh in the ICC under-19 Cricket World Cup Super League Quarter-final in Potchefstroom on Thursday.

The battle for the third semi-final spot will take place at the JB Marks Oval from 10h00, with all spectators encouraged to come and show their support for the #FutureStars, FREE of charge.

The match will also be broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 2.

Having had to win their final two group-stage matches to advance, after their opening defeat to Afghanistan, Mahatlane believes this clash will be no different with regards to the pressure and urges the team to remain focused on themselves.

“It’s been crunch time since we lost our first game,” the coach commented, during the team’s pre-match media opportunity at the JB Marks Oval. “Every game has been a knockout game, so we have been in knockout mode and for me, it’s all about our processes. 

“It’s about making sure we play to our strengths and if we play our best game tomorrow, we should go through,” he added.

During the round-robin phase of the World Cup, the SA U19s were beaten by seven wickets in their first match, before bouncing back to overpower Canada by 150 runs at the same venue where they meet Bangladesh. That match saw the captain, Bryce Parsons, dispatch 15 fours and three sixes to achieve his maiden century, scoring 121 off 91 balls to help his team to a handsome 349/8 before defending it comfortably. 

Along with Parsons, opener, Jonathan Bird (54) and Tyrese Karelse (60*) also contributed with the bat, and Mahatlane encourages his batsmen to continue that vein of form as they strive to tame the young Tigers of Bangladesh. 

“The best opportunity to bat in One-Day cricket is at the top of the order and these guys are getting in and cashing in,” he continued.

“I would like to see us scoring more hundreds, we’ve only scored one hundred in this tournament and I think that’s the difference between teams that go on to win and teams that don’t, with guys getting in and converting those scores, which is crucial. 

“The batters have always been a good group and they can be proud of what they’ve achieved and long may it continue,” the coach added. 

In addition to the batting performance, Mahatlane also spoke about the team’s bowling performances, stating that injuries have played a part in the team’s bowling attack before confirming that the side is now back to full strength

This also includes all-rounder, Gerald Coetzee, who is available for selection following a toe injury.

At the start of the practice session today, former Standard Bank Proteas all-rounder, JP Duminy was on hand to give the players a few words of encouragement before they take to the field against Bangladesh.

 

In total 45 rugby matches will be part of the FNB Classic Clashes of 2020. 

Some of the biggest schoolboy matches that for part of this year’s Classic Clashes are Grey College vs Paul Roos Gimnasium (8 August), Glenwood vs Durban High School (4 April), Voortrekker vs Witteberg (9 May), Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Diocesan College (30 May), Wynberg Boys’ High vs SACS (30 May), Selborne College vs Grey High School (1 August), Dale College vs Queen’s College (8 August), Klein Nederburg vs New Orleans (8 August) and Affies vs Paarl Gimnasium (18 April). 

The FNB Classic Clashes for 2020 is: 

7 March 2020 

Kearsney College vs Northwood

4 April 2020 

Glenwood vs Durban High School

9-11 April 2020 

Alexandria High School vs Ukhanyo Secondary
Kwazakhele High vs Mzontsundu High

17 April 2020

Ntsonkotha vs Zweliyandila

18 April 2020 

Affies vs Paarl Gimnasium

30 April 2020

Florida vs Marais Viljoen

1 May 2020

HTS Daniël Pienaar vs Brandwag (Uitenhage)
Schoonspruit vs Wolmaransstad

9 May 2020

Voortrekker (Bethlehem) vs Witteberg
St Andrew’s College vs Graeme College
Diamantveld vs Noord-Kaap
Sentraal vs Jim Fouché
Hoërskool Upington vs Duineveld
Driehoek vs Dr. Malan

15 May 2020

Randburg vs Linden
Hoërskool Sasolburg vs HTS Sasolburg

16 May 2020 

Piketberg vs Schoonspruit
Potchefstroom THS vs Potchefstroom Boys’ High
Affies vs Grey College
Zwartkop vs Eldoraigne

23 May 2020

Maritzburg College vs St Charles College
Potchefstroom Gimnasium vs Potchefstroom Volkskool
Lichtenburg vs Klerksdorp

30 May 2020

Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Diocesan College
Wynberg Boys’ High vs SACS

11 July 2020

Aliwal-North vs Hangklip
Welkom Gimnasium vs Goudveld-Hoërskool

18 July 2020

Oakdale Landbou vs Marlow Landbou

25 July 2020

Humansdorp High vs Newton THS
Cradock vs Gill College

1 August 2020 

Selborne College vs Grey High School
Bergrivier vs Weltevrede
Pacaltsdorp vs George High

8 August 2020 

Grey College vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
Dale College vs Queen’s College
Overberg vs Oudtshoorn
New Orleans vs Klein Nederburg
Graaff-Reinet Volkskool vs Union High
Cambridge vs Hudson Park

15 August 2020 

Langenhoven Gimnasium vs Punt
Hexvallei vs De Kruine
Framesby vs Nico Malan
Brackenfell vs Tygerberg