Garsfontein’s Zizwe Khumalo celebrating the big wicket of Affies’ Ruben Groenewald. Photo: Frans Lombard.
Hoërskool Garsfontein kept their winning streak intact and claimed the title in the Schools SA20 regional playoffs of the Northern Gauteng, Limpopo. and Easterns regions on Sunday.
In a battle of Pretoria powerhouses, the Ysbere bossed Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in the final at Willowmoore Park.
Echard Struwig, as he had been on many previous occasions, was a crucial contributor to Garsies‘ success.
Batting first, they found themselves in a bit of a pickle at 71/5. But that’s when Struwig stepped up to the plate. Moving along swiftly at a strike rate of 125, he struck 39 runs from 31 deliveries to turn the tide in his side’s favour.
His contribution helped the Ysbere to a competitive total of 142, with the last wicket falling off the last ball of their innings.
Affies’ Nico Loggerenberg (2/32) and Jaden Beukes (2/23) did the bulk of the damage, but only Loggerenberg, among the seven bowlers used, went for less than six runs an over.
The in-form Vihan Pretorius and opening batsman Ethan Williams had Affies sitting pretty for quite some time in their reply. Pretorius led the way, making a classy 50 on the dot, from 53 balls. Williams, meanwhile, weighed in with 48 from 46 balls, which included four of the eight fours Affies scored in their innings.
Together, Pretorius and Williams added 96 for the third wicket, but it was no surprise when Struwig struck a decisive blow for Garsfontein by dismissing Williams off the first ball of the 17th over.
Following his star turn with the bat, Struwig sent down a match-winning three overs during which he captured 4/21. Garsfontein’s captain Xander Venter (3/13) backed up Struwig well as Affies wilted.
They lost seven wickets for only 19 runs in 3.5 overs and were left 18 runs short, on 124/9, after the last ball had been bowled, and Garsfontein remained unbeaten in 2025.
Hoërskool Eldoraigne se eerste krieketspan het sy teenwoordigheid in die A-afdeling van vanjaar se Finsbury-reeks behoorlik bekendgemaak deur vir Potchefstroom Volkskool met sewe lopies af te stof.
Die Eldos het, sedert hulle opgeskuif het van die B-afdeling, nog slegs eenkeer in vanjaar se A-afdeling vasgeval – teen die verdedigende kampioen, Hoërskool Waterkloof.
Saterdag in Potchefstroom was dit ‘n goed afgeronde Volkies-span se beurt om onder die nuwelinge vanuit Centurion deur te loop. Soos in hul vorige twee wedstryde, het die Eldo-kolwers weer hul staal gewys.
Ruan Steyn, die span van Centurion se uitblinker die week vantevore, het dié slag vir Potch op horings geneem met die wilgerlat. Die middelorde-kolwer het, ná ‘n stewige platform deur sy aanvangskolwers, Vince Lotz (48) en Kyle de Bruin (22), die Volkies gekasty met die kolf. In sy beurt van 98 aflewerings het Steyn teen ‘n lopie per bal gekolf om uiteindelik nét twee kort van wat ‘n welverdiende honderdtal sou wees, op 98, sy paaltjie te verloor. Sy pragbeurt het 12 viere en een ses ingesluit.
Matthew Sampson het hom goed bygestaan om ‘n vennootskap van 109 lopies aanmekaar te slaan. Sampson se onoorwonne 46 het die Eldos in ‘n uiters gunstige posisie geplaas en verseker dat die besoekers ‘n puik totaal van 272/8 in hul toegelate 50 beurte kon bymekaarslaan.
Volkies se Herman Hesse het die meeste skade met die bal aangerig, deur drie Eldo-paaltjies vir slegs 39 lopies in sy nege beurte te laat kantel. Aanvangsboulers, Schalk Pienaar (2/25) en Handre de Beer (2/58), het hom netjies bygestaan.
Volkies se beurt het soos ‘n nagmerrie begin, met hul voorslagkolwer en kaptein, Louis van Wyk, wat deur Sampson met die eerste bal van die beurt terug kleedkamer toe gestuur is. Sampson het sy kolfbeurt skitterend opgevolg het met syfers van 3/53.
Die tuisspan moes inderhaas hergroepeer, met Sihle Duma watt die kolfkampie sy eie gemaak en met 72 lopies hoop weer hoop laat opvlam het in die Volkie-kamp. Eduan van der Merwe (47) en Theunis Nel (57) het die tuisspan byna oor die wenstreep gekry, maar Cornell Cousins (3/54) en Ruan Boshoff (2/41) het ‘n ‘n “paaltjie of vyf” daarvoor gesteek vir die wegsege met sewe paaltjies.
Vroeër in die week het twee van Pretoria se grotes, Hoërskool Menlopark en Hoërskool Waterkloof, mekaar die stryd aangesê. Die Parkies se kaptein, Dian van Zyl, het besluit om eerste te kolf en summier die voortou met die kolf geneem. In een van die beter beurte op skolevlak die afgelope paar jaar, het Van Zyl die Klofies pak gegee met 31 grenshoue, waarvan 14 viere en 16 sesse, om in ‘n oogwink ‘n reuse 183 op te stapel.
Die Parkies se belowende jong Jan-Willem Pienaar het self 50 lopies gemoker en, tesame met ‘n paar ander waardevolle bydraes, vir die besoekers tot ‘n reuse totaal van 366/6 in die 50 beurte gehelp.
Die Klofies, met Franco Schmidt (73) aan die spits en waardevolle bydraes deur Luan Ferreira (44*) en Darius Maritz (38), het hardnekkig teruggeveg, maar die boulwerk van Johan Bosch (3/54) en draaier, Murray Hofmeyr (2/54), het hul aanslag in die kiem gesmoor. Die Parkies het uiteindelik, in ‘n wedstryd waarin ‘n totaal van 676 lopies aangeteken is, met 56 lopies op die André van der Walt-ovaal koning gekraai.
Beknopte telkaarte:
Eldoraigne 272/8 (Ruan Steyn 98, Vince Lotz 48, Matthew Sampson 46, Kyle de Bruin 22, Ekstras 21; Herman Hesse 3/39, Schalk Pienaar 2/25, Handre de Beer 2/58); Potchefstroom Volkskool 265 (Sihle Duma 72, Theunis Nel 57, Eduan van der Merwe 47, Ekstras 33; Matthew Sampson 3/53, Cornell Cousins 3/54, Ruan Boshoff 2/41). Eldoraigne wen met sewe lopies.
Menlopark 366/6 (Dian van Zyl 183*, Jan-Willem Piennaar 50, Owen Louwies 37, Morne Koekemoer 26*, James Bronkhorst 24, Matt van der Westhuizen 22; Christiaan Smit 3/55); Waterkloof 310 (Franco Schmidt 73, Luan Ferreira 44*, Darius Maritz 38, Riley Miller 31, Rico van der Walt 23; Johan Bosch 3/54, Murray Hofmeyr 2/54). Menlopark wen met 56 lopies.
Karabo Ntsieng was masterful on the late cut, racking up plenty of runs with the shot in a match-winning innings for Glenwood against St Charles College. Photo: Brad Morgan.
In the first term of 2024, Glenwood High School claimed a win at St Charles College. They repeated that feat on Saturday in Pietermaritzburg.
Saintschose to bat and after losing Covhen Baatjies in the ninth over, saw his fellow opener, Thando Zama, dismissed exactly two overs later, caught by Rehaan Jhungbathur off the bowling of Akhil Maharaj for 29 from 23 balls, six of which he struck for four.
Off-spinner Kyle Bryan removed Saints’ skipper Rico Honiball cheaply, but Caleb Sharp and Ryan Clarke steadied the innings with a 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sharp and Connor Simpson, then, added 37 for the fifth wicket. When Simpson departed, the home side was on 120/5.
From there, their innings went somewhat awry. Rowen Rajah was run out, and 12 runs later, Keegan Vermaak was also run out. That damaged the St Charles’ batting effort. In between the removal of those two batsmen, Sharp was caught by Kyle Bryan off Akhil Maharaj for the host’s top score of 54, which had come from 103 balls.
The St Charles innings ended after 47.5 overs for 167 runs.
Akhil Maharaj shone for Glenwood, picking up 3/30 in 10, Rehaan Jhungbathur claimed 2/20 in six, and Kyle Bryan gave little away. In a tidy 10 overs, he claimed 1/24. Overall, Glenwood bowled and fielded well, restricting Saints to a run rate of only 3.5 per over.
The Green Machine lost two batsmen early in their reply, but opener Karabo Ntsieng held their innings together, playing patiently and executing the late cut skillfully on short balls that offered him the slightest width.
He and Krian Jugoo added 60 for the third wicket before Jugoo was sent packing, caught by Dylan Leppan off Keegan Vermaak, for 31. His innings had featured five fours.
Prince Shezi came and went, which brought Kyle Bryan out to the middle to partner Ntsieng. Together, they took the game away from St Charles, sharing a vital 53-run sixth-wicket partnership.
Kyle Bryan made important contributions with both bat and ball to help Glenwood get the better of Saints. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Just 10 runs shy of victory, Ntsieng’s outstanding innings came to an end. He was caught by Caleb Sharp off AJ Bosman for 70. He had faced 113 balls and hit seven fours.
Glenwood experienced a couple of hiccups after the opener departed. Bryan was run out for 23, and Kamo Moloto was caught off Ryan Clarke for six, but the Durban boys took the honours after 43.3 overs, winning by three wickets.
Bosman, who nabbed four sticks last weekend in a win at Michaelhouse, was good again. He bagged 2/20 from eight. Rowen Rajah, who took the new ball, knocked over 2/23 from his eight, while Clarke bowled neatly and finished with 1/29 from 9.3 overs.
Westville Boys’ High vs Durban High School
Westville Boys’ High hosted Durban High School on Bowden’s, with a good contest between well-matched sides expected. The match delivered on that expectation, with Westville winning by four wickets with just eight balls remaining of the game’s 100 overs.
The home skipper, Seth Simpson, after winning the toss, chose to bowl first. That backfired!
Ethan Cooper and Ismaeel Omar made 55 for the first wicket before Cooper was run out for 25. Unfortunately for DHS, who would go on to lose five wickets in total, three of those would be to run outs, and that would prove to be costly.
Ismaeel Omar and Josh van Biljon shared a 107-run partnership for the second wicket, but Van Biljon, not for the first time this season, saw his innings ended by a run out. He’d contributed 54 from 93 balls, with six fours.
Opening bowler Dayalan Boyce got rid of Taine Havermann for five, but Omar helped DHS past 200 before he, too, became a victim of Boyce, bowled for 84 from 138 deliveries, which included five fours and one six. It was a satisfying innings from the left-hander, who had made a slow start to the season. Seeing Omar, a consistent run scorer in 2024, among the runs again was a big boost for School.
Lazlo Jooste cracked a quick 20 off 14 balls to provide DHS with a late run spurt, but he, too, was run out.
After 50 overs, DHS finished with 227/5. Boyce, the lone wicket-taker, finished with 2/48 from nine overs. Special mention should be made of Tristan Delvin, also. His 1/26 from 10 overs kept the Horseflies‘ run rate in check.
The home team’s reply began poorly when left-arm spinner Dhilan Naraidu bowled Bhaskar Sewlal for a duck. Ewan du Toit and Sean McGough got the scoreboard moving with 35 runs for the second wicket, and Du Toit and Seth Simpson added 23 for the third.
After Du Toit’s departure, for 19, Simpson and Kyle McGough took charge. Feeding off one another, they combined for a match-winning partnership of 131 runs for the fourth wicket. Simpson was the first to fall, out to Lazlo Jooste after a decisive knock of 74 from 96 balls, three of which were blasted for six, with two going for four.
McGough followed two runs later, which left the Griffinon 191/5. His contribution was a mature 42 from 77 balls. It didn’t include any boundaries, but its impact was telling.
Westville lost one more wicket, on 210, when Sibusiso Msibi picked up his second stick by trapping Misbah Nair in front for 11.
It was a tension-filled finish as the overs slipped away, but Tristan Delvin, with an unbeaten 18, guided Westville to victory. The host’s efforts were aided by a massive 43 extras conceded by School. Westville gave up 20.
Dhilan Naraidu led the DHS attack with 2/39 from 10 overs, while Sibusiso Msibi took 2/49 from his 10.
Unfortunately, Clifton College‘s match at Hilton College was called off because of a wet outfield.
Scores
St Charles College 167/10 (Caleb Sharp 54, Thando Zama 29, Akhil Maharaj 3/30; Rehaan Jhungbathur 2/20); Glenwood High School 168/7 (Karabo Ntsieng 70, Krian Jugoo 31, Kyle Bryan 23, AJ Bosman 2/20, Rowen Rajah 2/23). Glenwood won by 3 wickets.
Durban High School 227/5 (Ismaeel Omar 84, Josh van Biljon 64, Ethan Cooper 25, Lazlo Jooste 20, Dayalan Boyce 2/48); Westville Boys’ High 232/6 (Seth Simpson 74, Kyle McGough 42, Sean McGough 23, Dhilan Naraidu 2/39, Sibusiso Msibi 2/49). Westville won by four wickets.
Reza Ayob bowling Jeppe to victory. Photo: Casey Arnold.
Reza Ayob snared a five-wicket haul to help Jeppe High School for Boys secure a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Northcliff in their 50-over match at Northcliff, on Saturday.
Rain and lightning in the Johannesburg area meant only one other match was concluded, with St Stithians College cantering to a comfortable four-wicket win at St Alban’s College, also in a limited-overs game.
At Northcliff, Jeppe won the toss, elected to bowl first, and made that decision look good by bowling the hosts out for only 77 in 26.2 overs. Jeppe needed only 12.1 overs to chase down the victory target, powering their way to 80/1 and a quickfire win.
With Northcliff at the crease, Reza Ayob was introduced into the attack immediately after the powerplay. He gave up a single in his first over to keep applying the pressure that had been exerted by Tiago Almeida, Franco Nortjie, and Munib Ayob in the first 10 overs. That trio had seen to it that Northcliff stuttered to 37/3 in the powerplay.
Reza Ayob, then, tied down an end, bowling a 9.2-over spell unchanged. Between the 11th and 20th overs, he bowled in tandem with his brother, Munib, and then finished the match opposite Sipho Potsane. Reza gave little away, conceding only 21 runs while snaring his five wickets. He was judged to be the Player of the Match for his decisive impact.
Munib Ayob made it a memorable day for the Ayob brothers, capturing three wickets for 15 runs in six overs.
Cade Bradley (21), Kyle Davies (14), and Mabutho Mbambo (14) were the only three Northcliff batsmen to reach double figures.
Jeppe enjoyed a strong start to their run chase, thanks to an opening stand of 44 runs between Zizi Mkhize and Munib Ayob. After Ayob departed, Mkhize joined forces with Aiden Reyneke and together they constructed an unbroken 36-run second-wicket partnership that drove their team past the finishing line.
In Pretoria, Bertie Michael, who is on a cricket exchange and on the books of the English county, Somerset, steered St Stithians to victory with an unbeaten 80 off 103 balls. That earned him the Player of the Match and guided Saints to 241/6 after St Alban’s had posted 240/8 in their 50 overs earlier in the day.
Michael arrived at the crease in the 10th over and was blessed with a solid foundation after Liam Mudenda and Ombesa Matsha powered their way to a 77-run opening stand. During his time in the middle, the number three batsman watched six partners come and go as he shepherded St Stithians to victory.
A partnership of 72 between Michael and Robert O’Brien for the sixth wicket was pivotal and pushed Saints to the verge of victory.
Earlier in the day, Liam Basch stroked a fluent half-century, making 51 off 59 balls, as St Alban’s compiled a competitive score. It could have been better, though, as Basch was the only St Alban’s batsman who converted a good start into a milestone. Two others, Ethan Nel (31) and Jesse Eckard (34), went past 30 but failed to kick on, while Wayne Kruger (24) and Josh Melville (27) also made solid starts without turning them into significant innings.
Josh Joiner, Zakir Hanslo, and Robert O’Brien took a brace of wickets each. Hanslo’s 2/39 from 10 overs was the best return of any Saints’ bowler.
Scorecards
Northcliff High School 77/10 (Cade Bradley 21, Mabutho Mbambo 19, Reza Ayob 5/21, Munib Ayob 3/15). Jeppe High School for Boys 80/1 (Zizi Mkhize 31*, Munib Ayob 24, Gareth Hunkin 1/19, Oliver Vermaak 0/12). Jeppe won by nine wickets.
St Alban’s College 240/8 (Liam Basch 51, Jesse Eckard 34, Zakir Hanslo 2/39, Robert O’Brien 2/44). St Stithians College 241/6 (Bertie Michael 80*, Liam Mudenda 66, Tim Hewitt 2/37, Luke Ward 2/52). St Stithians won by four wickets.
Morteza Manack held his nerve and successfully bowled St David’s Marist Inanda to victory in the Gauteng Schools SA20 Regional final against Noordheuwel.
Rain, a wet outfield, and lightning prevented play, and the contest was decided by a bowl-off, which St David’s won 3-0 at St John’s College on Saturday evening.
St David’s reached the final on the back of a three-match unbeaten run, which included wins over HoërskoolSecunda, HoërskoolMiddelburg, and, then, Hoërskool Noordheuwel. Two of their three wins included bonus points. On a roll, coach Jeff Levin‘s charges were confident as they headed into the title decider.
Noordheuwel, on the other hand, had a single win, a tie, and a loss under their belt heading into the clash. However, they were, also, the winners of Phase One of the Schools SA20 competition, and that included a win over St David’s in that final in November last year. They knew they had it in them to beat St David’s.
However, inclement weather prevented play. Thus, according to the rules of the competition, the match would be decided by a bowl-off. In the absence of an indoor centre in which to hold a bowl-off, it would be decided by a coin toss. Fortunately, it didn’t come to that.
Noordheuwel selected Corné Botha for the bowl-off and St David’s went with Manack. The winner would be the bowler who struck the wickets more times in the span of an over.
“We picked Morteza because he bowls full and straight,” Dave Nosworthy, the St David’s head of cricket, explained. “Also, as a spinner, he came with less risk in the indoor centre. A lot of things can go wrong with pacers because of run-ups, and you can slip and slide indoors. It’s always tougher for a seam bowler. We went with a spinner, and it worked for us.”
Botha won the toss and asked Manack to bowl first. The St David’s all-rounder missed with his first delivery. However, there was no harm done, as Botha missed with his first ball, too. Manack’s second delivery was on target, while Botha missed. Noordheuwel’s hopes were raised after Manack missed with his third ball, However, Botha was unsuccessful again.
Nories needed Manack to miss with his fourth and fifth deliveries and for Botha to be on target with his next two to keep the contest alive. It was not to be. Manack was on target with his fourth and fifth deliveries and Botha’s fourth was wide of the mark. The spinner’s tally of three out of five could not be hauled in. Botha had only two more deliveries at his disposal.
“It’s always difficult for the losing team in these conditions. I feel for them,” Nosworthy said.
St David’s will next play the other regional winners in Phase Three of the Schools SA20 tournament at which a national champion will be crowned.
In their previous limited-overs outing, Kearsney College scored what was regarded as an upset 32-run win over Durban High School (DHS). On Saturday, though, they faced an in-form Northwood School team that had comfortably beaten DHS by eight wickets earlier in the season. Kearsney did it again, though, rolling to a big 96-run victory on the Robin Smith Oval, at Northwood.
These kinds of performances, with all due respect to Kearsney, were not expected this season. They’re very young, with a grade nine boy, four grade 10s, four grade 11s, and only two grade 12 boys in their line-up. They, also, said farewell to a hugely talented collection of established 1st XI players at the end of 2024. And, they didn’t set the field on fire during their pre-season games. Now, though! It has been a remarkable two weeks for Botha’s Hill’s best.
Playing away from home, they lost the toss and Northwood opted to bowl. It had worked out well for them the previous weekend when they restricted Hilton College to only 110/8, on their way to a seven-wicket win. Kearsney fared far better.
They lost Rivan Moodley, one of their star performers in the win over DHS, early, but a 39-run partnership between the captain, Jason De Gryse, and Keegan de Jager settled the innings for a while. However, after De Gryse was caught by Alistair Duncan off left-arm spinner Jordan Matthews for a patient 15, the visitors stumbled, falling to 79/4, with last week’s batting hero, Asher Hollistermissing out on this occasion.
With both Moodley and Hollister, the leading run-getters against DHS gone for not much, Kearsney needed other batsmen to step up and that’s what happened. Keegan de Jager and Cole Young combined for a 44-run fifth-wicket partnership, advancing the total to 123 before De Jager’s innings was ended by Jamie Wimble. He’d delivered a controlled and effective innings, scoring 69 from 116 balls, with three sixes and four fours.
As Kearsney’s innings headed into its last 10 overs, Nic Comrie and Cole Young accelerated the run-scoring. They put on 47 in 46 balls before Young’s fine knock was ended, which left the visiting side on 170/6. He had scored 42 and struck four fours and a six.
Just eight balls were left in the innings and, in the pursuit of more runs, three more wickets tumbled in quick succession, including Comrie for 20, but Kearsney had posted 178/9. On the Robin Smith Oval, which offers something to both batsmen and bowlers, that’s a solid total.
Northwood’s opening bowlers, Jamie Wimble and Luke Allen, enjoyed success, with Wimble returning 2/28 from eight overs and Allen 3/32 from nine. Jordan Matthews picked up 1/18 from seven economical overs and his economy rate was matched by Knights‘ captain, Kyle White, who claimed 1/26 from 10.
The home side’s reply was struck a harsh blow when left-arm paceman Litha Gonya removed David de Bruyn in the first over before a run had been scored.
Tuswa Phetha exhibited typical patience, but he became another victim of Gonya, bowled for five from 19 balls, which left Northwood on 29/2.
Morgan Jones and Kyle White partnered for 21 runs for the third wicket before Nic Comrie ended the skipper’s innings, bowling him for five. That triggered a stunning collapse. From 50/2 after 15.3 overs, Northwood crashed to 58/8 after 25.4 overs. Scoring was almost at a standstill as wickets tumbled.
Pleasingly for Kearsney, much like their batting effort, multiple bowlers contributed to the Knights’ slide. Litha Gonya finished the day with 3/24 from 8.5 overs, Rivan Moodley captured 2/9 from eight, Nic Comrie snapped up 2/4 from four, and Matthew Gorrie weighed in with 2/8 from five.
Luke Allen and Aidan Bauristhene offered late resistance, putting on 24 for the ninth wicket, but Northwood was bowled out for 82. Morgan Jones’ 36 from 49 deliveries was, unfortunately for the home side, an outlier on their scorecard.
Coaches and educators hope to see growth from the boys in their charge and Kearsney’s coach Matt Savage must be thrilled with what he has seen from his players over the past two weeks. It’s likely, given their youth, that there may be some hiccups to come, but they’ve shown courage and no shortage of talent in claiming two significant scalps.
Northwood’s been on a good run, with their top-order batsmen and bowlers delivering time after time. On Saturday, when their top order didn’t deliver, unlike Kearsney’s, they didn’t get much support from their batsmen lower down the order. They’ll work on that and be better for it.
Maritzburg College vs Michaelhouse
Maritzburg College’s mascot, Mikey, surely enjoyed his day out on Goldstone’s. Photo: Brad Morgan.
In Pietermaritzburg, Michaelhouse was left to regret a decision to bat first against Maritzburg College. The Red, Black, and Whiteenjoyed bowling first on Goldstone’s and restricted ‘House to only 92 all out in 33.3 overs.
Opening bowler Samuel Hughes got stuck in quickly, bowling Ethan Muir and trapping Kian Blignaut in front, while a run out of Ben Heuer inflicted further hurt on ‘House as they hobbled to 19/3 in the seventh over. Worryingly, for the visitors, those were their three leading run scorers last weekend against St Charles College.
Graydon Leslie and Michael Blignaut stopped the bleeding for a while, though. They shared a 47-run stand for the fourth wicket before Leslie was LBW to Nathan Pembridge for the innings’ top score of 32, which included four fours. Unfortunately for Michaelhouse, Blignaut followed on the same total, 66, as the domino effect kicked in.
From 66/3, ‘House slid to 74/7 in 7.1 overs. The man to blame for their downfall was Dom du Toit. He was outstanding and, in six overs, he captured 5/9. Pembridge, with 2/14 from seven, provided an excellent foil, and Michaelhouse slipped to 92 all out. Sam Hughes played his part, too, returning 2/14 from six overs.
Maritzburg College needed only a few steady partnerships to chase down the moderate victory target. Daniel Nadasan and Ewald Bester made 26 for the first wicket before Bester was run out for 17. That’s at least the third time he’s exited in that manner early in the season and it is surely something he would desperately want to put a halt to.
Reece Willson and College captain Nadasan took their time, accumulating 44 runs from 84 balls, to advance the host’s total to 70 before Willson was caught by Ethan Muir off the bowling of Michael Blignaut for 13.
When Karl Dedekind joined Nadasan in the middle, he propelled College to an eight-wicket victory by bashing 17 not out, with three fours, from only 11 deliveries. Nadasan finished unbeaten on 39, doing what he does best, anchoring an innings.
Michael Blignaut was the only Michaelhouse bowler to take a wicket. He ended with 1/14 from two overs.
Scores
Kearsney College 178/9 (Keegan de Jager 69, Cole Young 42, Nic Comrie 20, Luke Allen 3/32, Jamie Wimble 2/28); Northwood School 82/10 (Morgan Jones 36, Litha Gonya 3/24, Nic Comrie 2/4, Matthew Gorrie 2/8, Rivan Moodley 2/9). Kearsney College won by 96 runs.
Michaelhouse 92/10 (Graydon Leslie 32, Dom du Toit 5/9, Nathan Pembridge 2/14, Samuel Hughes 2/14); Maritzburg College 93/2 (Daniel Nadasan 39*). Maritzburg College won 8 wickets.
The Stithians College team after winning the National Aquatics Festival in East London. Photo: Shot by Shani Photography
A strong defensive effort, followed by goals in crucial moments, helped St Stithians Girls’ College overcome Durban Girls’ College (DGC) 6-3 in the final of the National Aquatics Festival in East London on Saturday.
The title game brought to a conclusion to the two-day event, hosted by Clarendon High School for Girls.
Saints, under the leadership of head coach Megan Sileno, entered the festival among the favourites to go all the way. They were drawn in Pool B with Maris Stella, Collegiate Girls’ High School, Clarendon 2nds, and their provincial rivals, St Mary’s Waverley.
Sileno’s charges dominated their pool games and won all four of their matches, scoring 37 goals in the process.
The top spot in the group secured a semifinal birth against the hosts, who pushed Saints to the limit in a nail-biting contest. In the end, the Johannesburg school prevailed 8-7 after a hard-fought battle to move on to the final.
They were up against the defending champions DGCin the title decider and were out to avenge last year’s semifinal exit at the hands of the Durban school.
The Johannesburg outfit made their intentions clear early in the final and took control of matters early on.
Saints had the majority of ball possession and were solid at the back, with Danielle Sassenberg, Courtney Calenborne, Isabella Imbriolo, and Cadha Mosehla pulling the strings. They led throughout the first stanza after Mosehla scored two cracking goals in quick succession before Sassenberg and June Stander joined the scoring party.
At the halfway point, Saints was ahead 4-3 after DGC responded through Kayla Andrews and Inge Southey (2).
In the third chukka, St Sthithians’ captain Tori Tanner-Ellis netted her side’s fifth goal to open up a two-goal buffer.
They maintained their lead thanks to the superb goalkeeping of Ngcali Metu, who made numerous saves to keep her team in front.
DGC created opportunities in the final chukka but misfired, and a second goal from June Stander secured the win for Saints.
St Stithians College goalkeeper Ngcali Metu made some crucial saves for her team during the National Aquatics Festival final. Photo: Shot by Shani Photography
Reacting to the final, coach Sileno told SuperSport Schools Plus: “This is nice. We’ve only been together for two full weeks of school.
“We’re still trying to figure each other out and find our groove, but I think we’re getting there quite nicely.
“I was very happy with the performance at Brian Baker. We fixed a few things that helped us in this tournament.”
After breezing through the pool stage, Sileno and her charges were met by a stern challenge in the last four from Clarendon.
The teams exchanged the lead numerous times, but Saints claimed victory after a last-gasp five-metre penalty scored by Mosehla.
“Our semi-final was a bit chaotic, and the girls were losing their heads and getting involved in too many things that weren’t about the game,” Sileno said.
“The key in the final was controlling the defence, and we knew the attack would come, and I think they did very well.
“Our matrics are very good leaders, and they remained calm and composed in the pool, and that helped us get through today.”
The title is coach Sileno’s first with Saints since joining the school in January.
She made the switch from KwaZulu-Natal’s St Anne’s Diocesan College. Her husband, Jason Sileno, the new Aquatics Director at Saints, formerly plied his trade at Hilton College.
Photo: Shot by Shani Photography
“We haven’t really experienced Joburg yet because we’ve been trying to get our feet under the desk and find our way,” she remarked when asked about the transition.
“But it’s been great. Saints has been welcoming. The community in Johannesburg is awesome, and we have a great family.
“It’s a nice routine to slot into, and we’re getting there.”
The St Stithians Girls’ College team will return to tournament action at the Old Petrian’s Water Polo Tournament at St Peter’s College this month.
The bronze medal match was between Clarendon and Rhenish.
The hosts, under the guidance of coach Hannah Muller, comfortably clinched third place, beating their opponents 9-4.
That final placing matched Clarendon’s performance at the National Aquatics Festival in Durban in 2024.
Scorers in the final
St Stithians Girls’ College 6: Cadha Mosehla (2), June Stander (2), Danielle Sassenberg, Tori Tanner-Ellis. Durban Girls’ College 3: Inge Southey (2), Kayla Andrews.
Results
DGC 18-1 Our Lady of Fatima
St Mary’s Waverly 9-0 Clarendon 2nds
St Stithians 9-3 Maris Stella
St Mary’s Waverley 6-4 Collegiate
Maris Stella 8-5 Clarendon 2nds
Clarendon 14-4 St Mary’s Kloof
DGC 10-7 Rhenish
St Mary’s Kloof 11-6 Our Lady of Fatima
Rhenish 3-2 St Mary’s Waverley
Clarendon 9-5 Collegiate
Clarendon 2nds 5-4 Our Lady of Fatima
St Mary’s Kloof 5-1 Maris Stella
St Mary’s Waverley 3-2 Collegiate
Semi-finals
DGC 10-3 Rhenish
St Stithians 8-7 Clarendon
Final
St Stithians 6-3 DGC
Final standings
St Stithians Girls’ College
Durban Girls’ College
Clarendon High School for Girls
Rhenish Girls’ High School
St Mary’s Waverley
Collegiate Girls’ High School
St Mary’s DSG Kloof
Maris Stella
Clarendon 2nds
Our Lady of Fatima
Captain Kayla Reyneke, of South Africa, celebrates a wicket during the ICC u19 Women’s T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Nigeria at Borneo Cricket Ground on 22 January 2025 in Sarawak, Malaysia. Photo: Isuru Sameera Peiris/Gallo Images.
The South Africa u19 Women’s Cricket Team will make history when they face India u19 Women in their first-ever ICC u19 Women’s T20 World Cup final at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday (08:30 SAST).
The 2025 event is only the second edition of the tournament. The inaugural T20 World Cup was held in South Africa in 2023, with the Junior Proteas narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot due to net run rate.
Now, with seven players from that first campaign having returned, the team is determined to seize the moment and excel on youth cricket’s biggest stage.
Under the leadership of head coach, Dinesha Devnarain, South Africa has enjoyed a dominant run and remains unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Their opponents, the defending champions, India, also enter the final without a loss, thus setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
The team in green and gold has also drawn strength from a powerful mantra shared among South African athletes: “They don’t know what we know, and they never will”. That belief has fuelled their resilience and determination throughout their campaign.
Ahead of the final, SA captain, Kayla Reyneke reflected on the team’s journey, their mindset, and their approach to the final.
“The mood in the camp is very positive. Of course, there are a few nerves. It’s normal. It is a final. But we see it as just another game, another hurdle to overcome. The team is ready to go.
“We always emphasise discipline and consistency, both on and off the field. It’s about focussing on the small things that drive us as a team. We also avoid looking too far ahead, taking it one game at a time,” she explained.
“One key takeaway from the semi-final is the importance of staying calm under pressure. Cricket is a team sport and having each other’s backs, along with the incredible support from our coaches and management, gives us confidence.
“We are fully prepared and excited to take on the challenge. As I always say, we play the player, not the name.
“Our practice sessions have been focused, technical, and intense, ensuring we’re in the best possible shape for the final,” Reyneke concluded.
South Africa u19 Women Squad
Kayla Reyneke (Captain, Western Province), Jemma Botha (Western Province), Fay Cowling (Lions), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Monalisa Legodi (Titans), Simoné Lourens (Titans), Karabo Meso (Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Dragons), Luyanda Nzuza (Free State), Diara Ramlakan (Lions), Diedré van Rensburg (North West Dragons), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Chanel Venter (Titans).
SA u19 Women Fixtures: ICC u19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
Saturday, 18 January – New Zealand vs South Africa (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – SA won by 22 runs.
Monday, 20 January – South Africa vs Samoa (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – SA won by 10 wickets.
Wednesday, 22 January – South Africa vs Nigeria (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – SA won by 41 runs (DLS Method).
Super Six Stage
Saturday, 25 January – South Africa vs Ireland (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – SA won by 7 wickets.
Tuesday, 28 January – South Africa vs USA (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – Match Abandoned.
Semi-finals
Friday, 31 January – South Africa vs Australia (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) – SA won by five wickets.
Final
Sunday, 02 February – 08h30 SAST – South Africa vs India (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur)
Steyn City overpowered Ligbron Academy, subjecting them to a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat, to lift the Gauteng Girls Schools SA20Regional title at Wits University on Saturday morning.
Ligbron went in to bat first but didn’t last long. They crumbled to 43 all out in only 14.3 overs.
Steyn City required a little more than half that number of overs to chase down the victory target, cruising to 44/1 in 7.5 overs to take the win.
With Ligbron at the crease, Dominique Ferguson set the tone with the ball for Steyn City when she dismissed Nabihah Jassat in the third over.
That wicket was followed by a procession of wickets as the Ermelo-based school made slow progress in laboured fits and starts. Jassat’s 10-run opening partnership with Ntando Sithole proved to be Ligbron’s highest partnership.
Sithole, with seven runs off 15 deliveries, top-scored for Ligbron. She was out in the middle for the entire powerplay but fell when it concluded. Siphokuhle Maseko faced 18 deliveries for her five runs, and Zoe Barnard chewed up 21 balls for her contribution of four runs.
Samia Essop and Tyla-Jade Harpur led the demolition of the Ligbron innings with two wickets each. Essop conceded only four runs in three overs for her brace, while Harpur finished with two for seven runs from four overs.
Requiring only 2.2 runs per over to win, there was no need for Steyn City to take risks.
Sivaakani Naidoo scored a patient nine off 25 balls as she and Tyler Piehl put on an opening stand of 25. Piehl, then, joined forces with Caitlyn Freeman to see Steyn City home.
Piehl finished unbeaten on 13 off 20, and Freeman was undefeated on 14 off 14.
Scorecard
Ligbron Academy 43/10 (Ntando Sithole 7, Siphokuhle Maseko 5, Samia Essop 2/4, Tyla-Jade Harpur 2/7). Steyn City 44/1 (Caitlyn Freeman 14*, Tyler Piehl 13*, Christelle van Wyk 1/6, Marli Vorster 0/11). Steyn City won by nine wickets.
Affies’ Ruben Groenewald on the attack. Photo: Jean le Roux.
It will be a battle that many have expected since the start of the Schools SA20 competition’s regional finals for the Northern Gauteng, Limpopo, and Easterns regions.
On Sunday morning, a showdown between Hoërskool Garsfontein and Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool(Affies) will decide which school will represent the region at the national finals.
The Ysbere booked their spot in Sunday’s final with a dominating semi-final showing against Hoërskool Kempton Park. Led by their captain Xander Venter, they thumped Kempiesby 102 runs.
Venter (41) opened the batting with the in-form Reuben van Zyl (40). Working well together, they set things up nicely for their side with a crucial 76-run partnership. Further useful contributions from Charl van Staden (25) and Righardt Joubert (22) boosted Garsfontein to a healthy 153/7 from their 20 overs.
It looked like a decent total, but young Katlego Lebelo made it an unobtainable one for Kempton Park by delivering a superb bowling performance. In just 1.2 overs, he dismantled their batting lineup, capturing 4/5, with his destructive intervention leading to Kempies crumbling to a disappointing 51 all out.
Affies were every bit as impressive in their semi-final win, making light work of St Benedict’s College.
Ruben Groenewald, as always, was in the thick of the action. His batting has been one of Affies’ strengths throughout the weekend and he delivered once more against Bennies. Going at a hearty strike rate of 224, he smashed an unbeaten 56 from just 25 balls. Vihan Pretorius backed him up with a blitzkrieg of his own, taking just 21 deliveries for his 44 not out.
After their side tallied 169/3, the Affies’ bowlers ran roughshod through the St Benedict’s batting lineup, especially the seamer, JP Botha. He’s more often noticed as a top-order batsman, but Botha produced two magical overs, which laid waste to Bennies’ reply.
In those 12 balls, he claimed four wickets while conceding only four runs. Those were big blows as St Benedict’s was sent packing for a mere 62 runs, leaving Affies the handsome winners by 107 runs.
Summarised scorecards.
Hoërskool Garsfontein 153/7 (Xander Venter 41, Reuben van Zyl 40, Charl van Staden 25, Righardt Joubert 22; Ethan Kotze 3/34, Stian van Breda 2/29); Hoërskool Kempton Park 51/10 (Sheldon Kruger 17; Katlego Lebelo 4/5, Zizwe Khumalo 2/6, Xander Venter 2/16). Garsfontein won by 102 runs.
Affies 169/3 (Ruben Groenewald 56*, Vihan Pretorius 44*, Ethan Williams 38; Cruz Pillay 1/18); St Benedict’s College 62/10 (Matthew Elphick 16; JP Botha 4/4). Affies won by 107 runs.
In their previous limited-overs outing, Kearsney College scored what was regarded as an upset 32-run win over Durban High School (DHS). On Saturday, though, they faced an in-form Northwood School team that had comfortably beaten DHS by eight wickets earlier in the season. Kearsney did it again, though, rolling to a big 96-run victory on the Robin Smith Oval, at Northwood.
