Min mense sou egter geld daarop verwed het dat Botha die een sou wees om sy eie syfers, die beste by vanjaar se Kovsie Smash tot dusver, te ewenaar. Die staatmaker van Transvalia het die paaltjies nogmaals laat spat in sy span se oorwinning oor Hoërskool Sentraal en, nes twee dae vantevore, nie op hom laat wag om vir ‘n tweede keer vyf paaltjies vir slegs vyf lopies te laat kantel nie.
Jeanre Barnard, die toernooi se voorste lopievraat, het die grondslag vir Botha en die res van Transvalia se boulers gelê. Hy het ‘n 64 lopies tot sy week se totaal bygevoeg om met 189 in vier wedstryde te spog.
Die duo se puik prestasies het aan die span van Vanderbijlpark ‘n klinkende oorwinning met 96 lopies besorg. Dit is boonop die grootste oorwinning tot dusver by vanjaar se toernooi.
Jim Fouché se Cobus Wilken (3/21) het ‘n web om Hoërskool Witteberg se laerorde gespin om ‘n naelskraapse sege met net twee lopies te verseker. Wilken het in sy laaste beurt twee Witteberg paaltjies laat kantel om die span van Bethlehem, met slegs een bal, vir 108 uit te boul. Johan van Dyk (3/21) het mooi hand bygesit om die Bloemfonteiners se lae telling van 110 te verdedig.
Celliers van der Merwe het Hoërskool Pietersburg se greep op Groep D verder versterk met ‘n Speler van die Wedstryd-vertoning. Van der Merwe het eers met die bal onherstelbare skade aangerig om vier paaltjies vir net 12 lopies te neem en Despatch tot ‘n teleurstellende 50 almal uit te beperk. Daarna het hy met die kolf ‘n onoorwonne 25 aangeteken om die Pieties tot ‘n oorwinning met agt paaltjies deur te sien.
Die twee Van Heerdens, Strauss (47) en SW van Heerden (24*), was vir die soveelste keer vandeesweek HoërskoolKalahari se voorslagkolwers en het ‘n sleutelrol gespeel daarin om HTS Middelburg met ses paaltjies die loef af te steek. Dit beteken voorts dat die span van Kuruman steeds onoorwonne is en hul posisie bo aan Groep C se puntelys verstewig het.
Jim Fouché 110 (Benco Olivier 33, Joden Voster 27; Dumisani Johnson 4/11, Jayden Jacobs 2/6, Mila Oersen 2/20); Witteberg 108 (Piet Nel 21; Cobus Wilken 3/21, Johan van Dyk 3/21). Jim Fouché wen met twee lopies.
Despatch 50 (Ekstras 13; Celliers van der Merwe 4/12, Hardus Schoeman 3/5, Willem Viljoen 2/8); Hoërskool Pietersburg 53/2 (Celliers van der Merwe 25*, Dian Gouws 22*; Shelton Classen 2/11). Hoërskool Pietersburg wen met agt paaltjies.
HTS Middelburg 128/9 (Anthoni Smuts 39, Henry Kemp 34; Leander Smit 3/12, Kopano Mosienyane 3/29, Carl Thole 2/10); Kalahari 134/4 (Strauss van Heeren 47, SW van Heerden 24*, Janko Noeth 23*; Armand Kotze 2/16). Kalahari wen met ses paaltjies.
Sphamandla Dzanibe, with a superb spell of bowling, played a key part in Maritzburg College’s win over Kearsney College. Photo: Brad Morgan.
On Wednesday, day three of the iHlobo Festival, the weather relented somewhat, allowing for three matches to be played, but a late afternoon downpour meant only two of the three were completed, with Maritzburg College and St Alban’s College scoring wins.
Kearsney College vs Maritzburg College
Playing on Matterson Field, Kearsney College won the toss and chose to send Maritzburg College in to bat in a T20 clash. That decision was rewarded with early success with the Maritzburg men crawling their way to 29/4 after 9.4 overs.
Opener Akhil Barath kept his cool, though, and struck eight fours in the innings’ highest score of 53 from 56 balls. He was out off the second last ball of the College’s 20 overs, but, thankfully for the coach Robbie Coutts’ charges, Barath had found good support from Tian van Niekerk.
The College wicketkeeper showed off his batting chops with an unbeaten 34 from 30 deliveries, with three fours, and together with Barath added 83 off 62 balls for the fifth wicket.
Bonga Maphanga was the most successful of the home side’s bowlers, claiming 2/23 from his four overs. Up front, Litha Gonya, with 1/8 from two, and Michael Groom, with 0/7 from three, placed College under pressure.
In reply, Kearsney made a cleaner start than Maritzburg College. They lost Jonty Wiggett with 11 runs on the board but then advanced to 35 before losing their second wicket at the start of the second over. The problem was that they lost another four for the addition of only two runs.
With two balls remaining in the ninth over, Kearsney was struggling on 38/6 and by the end of the 12th over they were in deep trouble on 46/8.
Down but not out, the home side’s last three batsmen fought a valiant fight. James Bishop and Daniel Miskey tacked on 26 from 22 balls for the ninth wicket before Bishop fell for 10.
Miskey kept attacking and together with Michael Groom partnered for a tenth wicket stand of 30 from 24 balls before Miskey’s brave counter-attacking knock was ended when he was caught by a combination of College’s opening bowlers, with Sam Hughes pouching the opportunity off the bowling of Reece Willson.
It was, however, Tuskers’ Khaya Majola Week bowler, Sphamandla Dzanibe, and Dominic Du Toit who put the skids under Kearsney’s reply. Dzanibe caused the host’s batsmen all kinds of trouble with his left-arm seamers, capturing a sparkling 3/4 in four overs, while Du Toit nabbed four wickets for 18 in four.
St Alban’s College vs Uplands College
Christian Visage, with 2/6 in four overs, helped St Alban’s get on top of Uplands on the AH Smith Oval. Photo: Brad Morgan.
St Alban’s College was well on the way to a T20 win over Uplands College on the AH Smith Oval, but rain almost put paid to their chances of victory with only 12 runs needed and all 10 wickets in hand. Eventually, though, they were able to return to the crease and went on to a 10-wicket victory, which followed a 15-run win over Falcon College on Tuesday.
Uplands mustered only 60/9 in their 20 overs after being sent in to bat, with Aiden van Zyl‘s 10 the best of their batting efforts.
That meant that there were some good-looking bowling figures from the St Alban’s bowlers. The wickets were spread around. Luke Ward snapped up 2/4 in four, Christian Visage claimed 2/6 in 4, Liam Basch 2/7 in four, and Kyle Earle 2/14 in four.
Ethan Nel, then, followed up his 37 against Falcon with an unbeaten 30 from 34, with four fours, while Wayne Kruger was on 24 not out from 37 balls when St Alban’s achieved victory with 8.1 overs to spare.
Clifton College vs Falcon College
Clifton College and Falcon College opted for a 30-overs-a-side game and almost managed to complete it. When rain brought it to an end, the contest was finely poised.
The Zimbabwean school chose to bat first and made a solid start, with their openers, Alistair Carle and Reed Merick putting on 33 for the first wicket before Carle departed for 15. Merick went on to score 29. He was the fourth man out as Falcon slid from 54/2 to 62/7.
However, some lusty hitting from Liam Nel, especially, boosted Falcon to 123 all out, with Nel cracking two fours and two sixes in a hard-hitting 31 from 36 balls. James Thompson hit three fours to finish on 15 not out from nine.
Clifton’s bowlers were led by the attacking leg-spinner Shiraz Perumal, who snared 4/26 in six to add another strong return after a record-breaking 2024 during which he established a school record for the most wickets in a calendar year.
Gabriel Vermeulen lent good support, picking up 2/15 in five, while Caleb Naicker did well, taking 2/15 in his five. Captain Tim Saulez weighed in with 2/25 from 4.1.
In reply, Clifton made a decent start to their innings, with Muhammed Malik and Hayden Drieselmann putting on 28 for the first wicket.
A short while later, Falcon claimed two wickets within the space of four balls, to send Malik and Byron Ward packing, which left Clifton on 46/3 in the 12th over.
Zach Williamson and Tim Saulez moved the score along to 89 in the 20th over, but Williamson was then caught and bowled by Darren Ncube for 10. Within the space of 2.4 overs, Clifton tumbled from 89/4 to 94/7.
Tim Saulez, with 34 from 38 balls, which featured two fours and a six, top scored for Clifton College. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Saulez was finally dismissed with the total on 104, leaving Clifton scrambling, but, after two runs had been added, the rain came down to prevent a thrilling finish to the contest.
Liam Nel snapped up 2/14, while the opening bowlers, Zach Gover and Darren Ncube, claimed 2/15 and 2/33 respectively.
Revised fixtures
After revising their fixtures on Wednesday, the organisers, again, adjusted them early on Thursday morning because of waterlogged pitches in Durban, where Uplands College had been due to play Durban High School (DHS).
Uplands will, instead, face Kearsney College at 08:00 in a T20 on the AH Smith Oval. The other matches will start at 08:30.
Clifton takes on St Alban’s on Matterson in a 35/40-over game. Maritzburg College and St John’s are on Osler, contesting a 50-over match, and Kearsney, after their outing against Uplands, will play Falcon in a 35/40 over-game.
Unfortunately for DHS, they finish the week without playing a single match
SCORES
T20 Maritzburg College 113/5 (Akhil Barath 53, Tian van Niekerk 34*, Bonga Maphanga 2/23); Kearsney College 102/10 (Daniel Miskey 32, Dominic du Toit 4/18, Sphamandla Dzanibe 3/4, Sam Hughes 2/32).
Maritzburg College won by 11 runs.
T20 Uplands College 60/9 (Luke Barnard 10, Luke Ward 2/4, Christian Visage 2/6, Liam Basch 2/7, Kyle Earle 2/14); St Alban’s College 62/0 (Ethan Nel 30*, Wayne Kruger 23*).
St Alban’s College won by 10 wickets.
30 overs
Falcon College 123/10 (Liam Nel 31, Reed Merick 29, Shiraz Perumal 4/26, Gabriel Vermeulen 2/11, Caleb Naicker 2/15, Tim Saulez 2/25); Clifton College 106/8 (Tim Saulez 34, Muhammed Malik 21, Liam Nel 2/14, Zach Gover 2/15, Zane Sibanda 2/33).
Match rained out.
T10
Kearsney College 124/4 (Jason de Gryse 52, Khulekani Nduku 2/29); St John’s College 1/0 after 0.3 overs.
Eduard Dreyer het sy aanslag op die titel as voorste lopiemaker by vanjaar se Kovsie Smash-toernooi versterk met nóg ‘n uitsonderlike beurt teen Hoërskool Trio tydens die derde oggendsessie.
Hoërskool Wesvalia is steeds onoorwonne na drie wedstryde, nadat hy Hoërskool Trio gemaklik met 77 lopies verslaan het. Dreyer het die hoogste telling tot dusver by vanjaar se toernooi behaal.
Verlede jaar se speler van die toernooi het slegs 66 aflewerings benodig om sy weg tot by 87 lopies te moker, wat sy totaal in drie wedstryde na ‘n indrukwekkende 182 geneem het. Sy beurt het 12 grenshoue, waarvan 11 viere en een ‘n ses was, ingesluit.
Zander Stopford (47) het het hom by Dreyer bo aan die kolflys aangesluit en gesamentlik het hulle die Trio-boulers laat swoeg vir die eerste deurbraak en ‘n vennootskap van 148 lopies opgestel om vir die Wessies ‘n bevredigende totaal van 154/3 in die toegelate 20 beurte daar te stel.
Aanvangsboulers, Johanco Nel (5/23) en Quwen Fourie (4/11), het daarna nie op hulle laat wag nie en met hul gesamentlike nege paaltjies Trio vir ‘n skamele 77 met die stert tussen die bene huistoe gestuur.
Bethlehem Voortrekker se Joel Coetzee (58) en JD van Dyk (25*) het albei uitstekend gekolf om die span van die Oos-Vrystaat tot 133/4 in hul toegelate 20 beurte teen Overvaal te neem. Jayden Strydom het die duo se vertoning met die kolf uitmuntend opgevolg deur vier paaltjies vir slegs agt lopies op te raap.
Ruan Heunis (3/25) het Strydom puik ondersteun en slegs Christiaan Schoeman (25) kon enige hond haaraf maak teen dié boulaanval. Die res van Trio se kolwers het een na die ander teruggekeer pawiljoen toe met die laaste paaltjie wat op 91 gekantel het.
Hoërskool Rustenburg se kaptein Thian Labuschagne (3/7) het van voor gelei met die bal om ‘n naelskraapse sege met 18 lopies oor Duineveld te beklink. Die Rusties moes inderdaad ‘n haas uit die hoed ruk nadat die Velties se Niekie Smith die toporde met syfers van 5/14 vermorsel het. Met slegs 73 lopies om te verdedig het Labuschagne en Henry Kemp (2/15) egter hand opgesteek om die span van die Noord-Kaap vir 55 uit te haal.
Die gasheer, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, is steeds onoowonne na ‘n vierde agtereenvolgende sege, teen Oos-Moot. Dit was te danke aan ‘n uitstaande vertoning deur ál die boulers. Gelei deur kaptein, Stian Kruger (1/11), was die druk vierkantig op die Pretorianers, en het die Fichies, wat skerp was in die veld, twee van die Oosies se kolwers ook uitgehardloop.
Marno Smith (34) het die wilgerlat met mening geswaai, nadat die Oosies se Danie Corbett (3/23) vroeë skade aangerig het, om die tuisspan uiteindelik met vyf paaltjies oor die wenstreep te kry.
Paul Roos Gimnasium started the year off in emphatic fashion as they defeated Potchefstroom Gimnasium during their declaration encounter on day one of the Peninsula Cricket Festival.
Their captain, Matthew Seymore, led the charge as he scored an unbeaten 98 runs. Seymore is the son of former Northern Transvaal, Gauteng and Easterns player, André Seymore.
Matthew shared an unbeaten partnership of 165 runs over the third wicket with Luca Plekker (69*) to get his team past the target of 234 set for victory. Etienne Serfontein (37) also weighed in with some valuable runs.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium reached their 233 runs thanks to contributions by Lukas Kotze (92), Ulrich Botha (39) and Henré Cronjé (33). Die home side’s Dion Slabber was in superb form as he picked up seven wickets at the cost of only 43 runs.
Waterkloof secured a victory over Hilton College in their clash at the Claremont Cricket Club. Klofies batted first and was bowled out for 193 runs with Johan Feuth (63) and Franco Schmidt (43) making the biggest contributions with the bat in hand.
Hilton College’s Jayden Roux (3/28) and Luke Campbell (3/44) both picked up three wickets to give their team’s batsmen a realistic chance to bag a victory. Hilton was bowled out for 154 runs with Darius Maritz (5/25) picking up a five-wicket haul in the process.
The team from KwaZulu-Natal’s Ben Wilson (46) and David Hill (42*) led their side’s charge with the willow.
Diocesan College came out on top against St Stithians College of Johannesburg on the former’s Frank Reid Oval in Cape Town. Bishops posted 171 runs thanks to James R-Quinlan (50) and Michael Kruiskamp (34) making valuable contributions. Zaakir Hanslo (6/33) of Saints caused most of the damage with his five-wicket haul. He also received some good support from Nicholas Bayly (2/21).
Saints were then restricted to only 132 with only Tendai Kadyamadare (37*) and Matthew Katzenstein (30) managing to keep the home side’s bowlers at bay.
Summarised Scorecards:
Diocesan College 171 (James R-Quinlan 50, Michael Kruiskamp 34, Waco Bassick 22, Cameron MacBeth 21; Zaakir Hanslo 6/33, Nicholas Bayly 2/21); St Stithians College 132 (Tendai Kadyamadare 37*, Matthew Katzenstein 30; Waco Bassick 2/15, Julian Pilkington 2/15, Michael Kruiskamp 2/24). Diocesan College won on first innings.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium 233 (Lukas Kotze 92, Ulrich Botha 39, Henré Cronjé 33, Jahndré Coetzee 25; Dion Slabber 7/43, Noah Appollis 2/24); Paul Roos Gimnasium 236/2 (Matthew Seymore 98*, Luca Plekker 69*, Etienne Serfontein 37; Ruhann Steenkamp 2/37). Paul Roos Gimnasium won on first innings.
Waterkloof 193 (Johan Feuth 63, Franco Schmidt 43, Jaydon Blom 29*; Jayden Roux 3/28, Luke Campbell 3/44, Ryan Jellis 2/31); Hilton College 154 (Ben Wilson 46, David Hill 42*; Darius Maritz 5/25, Jaco van der Walt 2/10, Johan Feuth 2/19). Waterkloof won on first innings.
SACS‘ first XI started their year off with a convincing victory over St Charles College, from Pietermaritzburg, on Tuesday, the opening day of the Peninsula Cricket Festival, in Cape Town.
Firstly, it was the seam bowler Abhay Khan who stepped up with a devastating spell of six overs which saw the visitors being bowled out for a meagre 53 runs in their first innings.
Khan picked up six wickets at a cost of only five runs and his return included four maiden overs. . Litha Kraai (2/16) also troubled the St Charles’ batsmen.
SACS then scored 255/4 on the De Villiers Oval, led by an unbeaten century from Ulrich Roth (100*). He and Aqeel Waggie (82) shared a 100-run partnership for the third wicket to take the match away from Saints. Roth faced 122 deliveries in his innings and struck 15 fours.
Rondebosch Boys’ High will also be happy with their start to 2025. They scored a formidable 266/5 in 62 overs against Pretoria Boys’ High, with Adeeb Levy (69*) and Tyler Heyns (51) weighing in with half-centuries.
Schalk Fourie (43), Joshua Neill (27), captain Daniel Cooke (23), and Noah Heath (22) added useful contributions. The pick of the Pretoria Boys High bowling attack was Ruan Coetzee, who removed two batsmen from the crease for only 26 runs.
Pretoria Boys High was in trouble early on as they stumbled to 35/3, but Paidin Gray (76) and Justin Basdeo (49) steadied the ship with a 117-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Wynberg Boys’ High defeated the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria on the first innings in their encounter on the Jacques Kallis Oval.
Wynberg was bowled out for 218 runs with Storme van Rooyen (58) and Moosa Gabriels (36) providing their biggest contributions with the bat. Van Rooyen was part of the Western Province side that won the 2024 Khaya Majola Week.
Affies’ Nico Loggenberg shone, sending five batsmen packing for 55 runs. SF Vermeulen (3/49) would also have felt happy with his performance.
Summarised Scorecards
Rondebosch Boys’ High first innings 266/5 (Adeeb Levy 69*, Tyler Heyns 51, Schalk Fourie 43, Joshua Neill 27, Daniel Cooke 23, Noah Heath 22, J Kirsten 21; Ruan Coetzee 2/26, Abri Strauss 2/48); Pretoria Boys High first innings 175/5 (Paidin Gray 76, Justin Basdeo 49, Joseph van Dijk 20; Jamie Hundermark 2/35). Match Drawn.
St Charles College first innings 53 (Thandolwethu Zama 13; Abhay Kalan 6/5, Litha Kraai 2/16); SACS first innings 255/4 (Ulrich Roth 100*, Aqeel Waggie 82, Jordaan Berry 29*; Matthew Weightman 1/32). SACS won on the first innings.
Wynberg Boys’ High first innings 218 (Storme van Rooyen 58, Moosa Gabriels 36, Muhammad Schroeder 25; Nico Loggenberg 5/55, SF Vermeulen 3/49); Affies first innings 129 (Zirk Meyer 33, JP Botha 27, Daniel Murray 24; Achmat Behardien 2/15, Joshua Prince 2/34). Wynberg Boys’ High won on the first innings.
BENONI, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 06: Nqobani Mokoena of South Africa during the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2024, Semi Final match between India and South Africa at Willowmoore Park on February 06, 2024 in Benoni, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
The national u19 selectors named a formidable squad for the series later this month against their counterparts from England.
The South African Schools captain of 2023 and 2024, Beni Hansen, will also captain the national u19-side for this series. South Africa will face England in three limited-over encounters as well as two youth tests.
Although the national selectors were not able to pick Kwena Maphaka (Paarl Royals), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Paarl Royals), Steve Stolk (Pretoria Capitals) and Tristan Luus (MI Cape Town) who will be in action for their various franchises in the SA20, they were still able to select a strong team.
Maphaka also made his test debut against Pakistan earlier this year. All of the above players represented the SA u19-side at the ICC u19 World Cup last year.
Another member of the World Cup squad who was not available for selection was Riley Norton who decided to seek a career in rugby at the end of 2024.
The national sides bowling attack still has Raeeq Daniels, Nqobani Mokoena as well as Martin Khumalo in their midst who also helped South Africa reach the semi-final in last year’s World Cup. Add to that for the limited-over matches the youngster Carl Fryer who impressed with his pace during Cricket South Africa’s Cubs Week in Stellenbosch.
The Central Gladiators’ Jason Rowles was named the Batsman of the Week after scoring 280 runs during the tournament. His runs came at an average of 70 runs per innings. This performances as well as his solid bowling also secured him a place in the national squad.
Nathan Rossouw, spin bowler of the Western Legends, was named the Bowler of the Week as he picked up 15 wickets at the cost of only 16.8 runs per victim. He was rewarded for his performance with a place in the squad for the two tests.
The Allrounder of the Week was without a doubt Jorich van Schalkwyk (Northern Champions). His seven wickets at an average of 18.4 runs per victim made him one of the ten best bowlers in Stellenbosch. He also 219 runs at an unbelievable average of 109.5 runs per innings.
The South African u19 squads:
Limited Overs: Beni Hansen (captain), Carl Fryer, Bandile Mbatha, Adnaan Lagadien, Enathi Kitshini, Chad Mason, Daniel Bosman, Ntando Soni, Semal Pillay, Divan de Villiers, Jason Rowles, Lethabo Phahlomahloka, Nqobani Mokoena, Paul James, Raeeq Daniels.
Test: Beni Hansen (captain), Adnaan Lagadien, Chad Mason, Daniel Bosman, Divan de Villiers, Jason Rowles, Jorich van Schalkwyk, Muhammed Bulbulia, Nathan Rossouw, Nqobani Mokoena, Paul James, Raeeq Daniels, Sandiwa Yeni, Martin Khumalo, Lethabo Phahlamaloka.
Fixtures
Limited Overs
17 January vs England in Cape Town
19 January vs England in Cape Town
22 January vs England in Stellenbosch
Youth Test Series
27 January vs England in Stellenbosch
3 February vs England in Cape Town
Die span van Kuruman se Liam Laing het ‘n taamlike aandeel gehad daarin dat een van die groot kanonne by vanjaar se kompetisie, Hoërskool Transvalia, gesneuwel het.
Laing het op sy vertoning van vroeër die dag verbeter deur dié keer vier paaltjies te laat kantel. Sewe paaltjies in een dag het hom na derde op die algehele lys vir paaltjievrate geneem en beteken voorts dat Kalahari nou die boonste posisie in Groep C beklee.
Charl Thole (3/16) en Leander Smit (2/10) het die druk op Transvalia behou om die span van Vanderbijlpark tot 54 lopies te beperk. Strauss van Heerden het met 29 die jaagtog versnel sodat sy span gemaklik met sewe paaltjies oor die wenstreep kon vlieg.
Nie eens ‘n 50-tal deur Jim Fouché se Joden Vorster was genoeg om ‘n begeesterde Despatch te stuit nie. Vorster moes spook vir sy 52, terwyl Cobus Wilken se 36 die totaal tot 124/5 in die toegelate 20 beurte aangejaag het.
CJ Palfarman (27) en Wian van Rooyen (26) van Despatch het egter saamgespan vir ‘n belangrike vennootskap, nadat Duan Bastone die kat in die duiwehok losgelaat het met boulsyfers van 4/23. Palfarman en Van Rooyen se heldedade het die finale spyker in die doodskis geslaan en Despatch tot ‘n naelbytsege met een paaltjie, sy tweede oorwinning vir die dag, gevoer.
Armand Kotze se uitstaande vertoning het ‘n tweede sege vir HTS Middelburg by vanjaar se kompetisie beklink. Hy het eers met die kolf ‘n aanskoulike 44 lopies gemoker om sy span te help tot ‘n telling van 127/8, en dit opgevolg met ‘n uitstekende boulvertoning van 3/11. Dit het Goudveld Hoërskool beperk tot 106/8 en gelei tot ‘n belangrike sege vir HTS, met 21 lopies, in terme van die uitspeelrondes.
Hoërskool Upington se boulers sal vanaand heel rustig slaap na ‘n merkwaardige uitstappie om Witteberg met 66 kaf te draf. Weilin Lombaard (57) het die grondslag gelê met sy eerste 50-tal van die week om die span van die Noord-Kaap tot 113/6 te help. CJ Botha (3/1), Aiden Lukumbi (3/14) en Ruann Esterhuizen (3/19) het daarna behoorlik die wind uit Witteberg se seile geboul.
Die feesvieringe in Bloemfontein loop hoog nadat die gasheerspan, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, ‘n uitstaande vertoning gelewer het vir die grootste opskudding tot dusver by vanjaar se Kovsie Smash-toernooi.
Die Fichies het hul ondersteuners op die punte van hul stoele gehou om uiteindelik ‘n naelbytsege met 11 lopies oor een van die vroeë gunstelinge, Hoërskool Rustenburg, te behaal.
Die tuisspan moes eerste die taai kolftoestande trotseer, met die Rusties se Henry Kemp en kaptein, Thian Labuschagne, wat van meet af kwaai druk toegepas het. Kemp het sy boulskof met uitstekende syfers van 3/11 afgesluit, terwyl Labuschagne met 2/16 kon spog, maar die Fichies se aanvangskolwer, Marno Smith, het verbete vasgeskop. Sy kritieke beurt van 28 aflewerings het 36 lopies opgelewer om sy span verby die 100-merk te neem.
Met die tuisveldvoordeel en heelwat selfvetroue na ‘n uiters goeie vertoning met die bal gedurende die oggendsessie, het Davyd Oosthuizen weer sy pond vleis tafel toe gebring om as aanvangsbouler sy toegelate vier beurte agtereenvolgens af te stuur. Dié besluit het vrugte afgewerp met Oosthuizen wat drie slagoffers vir slegs 16 lopies geëis het.
Fichies se kaptein, Stian Kruger, en Nathan Ackerman het elk ook twee paaltjies laat kantel om die Rusties, teen alle verwagtinge in, in die 19de beurt vir 92 lopies uit te boender.
Merensky Landbou Akademie het, danksy staatmaker, Rinaldo Bornman, sy eerste sege van die toernooi behaal. Bornman, wat in die Plasies se vorige twee wedstryde reeds belowend vertoon het met die kolf, het met ‘n teiken van 90 lopies om te wen, danksy kranige boulwerk deur Bornman (2/17) en Cashan Jacobsz (2/16), behoorlik losgetrek.
Hy het slegs 38 aflewerings benodig om 51 lopies aan te teken teen ‘n treftempo van 134,2. Sy wenbeurt het ses grenshoue ingesluit en beteken dat die Plasies vir Hoërskool Trio met vyf paaltjies kon kafdraf.
Eduard Dreyer het weer gewys hoekom hy ‘n groot gevaar vir enige van Wesvalia se toekomstige teenstanders inhou. Die Wessies se aanvangskolwer het die hoogste telling tot dusver by vanjaar se toernooi aangeteken. Dreyer het ses grenshoue in sy onoorwonne 73 lopies gemoker, wat van net 62 aflewerings gekom het.
Ethan Walker (3/13) en Quwen Fourie (2/16) het oudergewoonte skade met die bal aangerig om vir Overvaal tot net 105/6 beperk, 44 lopies kort van die wenteiken. EW Botes het kop en skouers bo die res van die Overvaal-kolwers uitgestaan om met ‘n onoorwonne 33 teen die sterk Wesvalia-boulaanval te spog.
Oos-Moot se Elrich Visagie het Hoërskool Driehoek se kolflys vermorsel met ‘n boulvertoning wat nog vir lank sal onthou word. In die 3.5 beurte wat hy afgestuur het, het hy vier paaltjies te laat spat en slegs nege lopies afgestaan.
Danie Corbett het hom goed bygestaan met syfers van 3/14, wat beteken het dat Driehoek met ‘n skamele totaal van 39 tevrede moes wees.
Beknopte telkaarte:
Fichardtpark 103 (Marno Smith 36; Henry Kemp 3/11, Thian Labuschagne 2/16, Marnus de Witt 2/21); Hoërskool Rustenburg 92 (Dehan Jacobs 26; Davyd Oosthuizen 3/16, Nathan Ackerman 2/5, Jaden Geldenhuys 2/17). Fichardtpark wen met 11 lopies.
Nadat hy gister in die span van Vanderbijlpark se eerste uitstappie ook met ‘n 50-tal gepronk het, was Barnard vir die tweede agtereenvolgende keer Transvalia se held met die kolf.
Sy onoorwonne 66 lopies het van slegs 50 aflewerings gekom en het ‘n totaal van sewe viere ingesluit. Dus spog hy ná slegs twee beurte reeds met 112 lopies en het hy sy span tot ‘n stewige totaal van 130/7 in die toegelate 20 beurte teen Goudveld Hoërskool gehelp.
Dié teiken was té groot vir die span van Welkom om te jaag. Keagan Frankenfeld het hard probeer om sy span in die wedloop te hou met 25 lopies, maar dit was Kriegler Botha en Janco Jacobs, wat elk met syfers van 3/11 gespog het, wat aan Transvalia ‘n oorwinning met 21 lopies besorg het.
Hoërskool Kahalari het aangedui dat hy beslis ‘n buiteperd in vanjaar se toernooi is. Die span van Kuruman het Hoërskool Sentraal ‘n behoorlike krieketles geleer, met Laim Laing wat van voor met die bal gelei het.
Laing se syfers van 3/15 was sy span se beste en hy is netjies bygestaan deur Leander Smit (2/7) en Carl Thole (2/16), om die Bloemfonteiners tot ‘n teleurstellende 83 almal uit te beperk. Kalahari se SW van Heerder, ook ‘n kranige en veelsydige rugbyspeler, het die langsteel ingelê vir ‘n vinnige 23 lopies wat die grondslag gelê het vir ‘n reuse oorwinning met nege-paaltjies.
Tyron Smith het Hoërskool Despatch tot ‘n gemaklike sege van 44 lopies oor Hoërskool Upington geslaan. Smith se beurt was nie noodwendig blitsig nie, maar hy het behendig tussen die paaltjies gehardloop en genoeg swak balle grens toe gejaag om uiteindelik met 59 lopies van 52 aflewerings te spog.
Luke Julyan het daarna puik bystand met die bal gebied deur drie Upington kolwers terug pawiljoen toe te stuur en sodoende vir die teenstanders uit die Noord-Kaap tot slegs 95/8 te beperk.
Hoërskool Pietersburg se Ignus Ferreira het gemaai onder die Jim Fouché-kolwers in sy span se reuse oorwinning met nege paaltjies, en het blitsig vier vinnige paaltjies vir net 20 lopies laat spat.
Aanvangsbouler, Cilliers van der Merwe, het sy deel bygedra met drie paaltjies om die Bloemfonteiners vir slegs 53 uit te boender, ‘n teiken wat die Pietie-kolwers met gemak in die 11de beurt kon verbysteek om hul kanse op kwalifisering aansienlik te vergroot.
Sentraal 83 (Daniel Pienaar 14; Liam Laing 3/15, Leander Smit 2/7, Carl Thole 2/16); Kalahari 86/2 (SW van Heerden 23*, Leander Smit 20*; Erik Prinsloo 1/19). Kalahari wen met nege paaltjies.
Despatch 139/5 (Tyron Smith 59; Aiden Lukumbi 2/10); Hoërskool Upington 95/8 (Ruan Esterhuizen 29; Luke Julyan 3/22). Despatch wen met 44 lopies.
Jim Fouché 52 (Ignus Ferreira 4/20, Celliers van der Merwe 3/11); Hoërskool Pietersburg 53/1 (Dian Gouws 23*, Stephan Swanepoel 20*; Jareth Scott 1/18). Hoërskool Pietersburg wen met nege paaltjies.
The USA celebrates winning the final against the Southern Superstars on day five of the CSA Cubs Week at Coetzenberg on 7 January 2025 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images.
The USA u19 cricket team spoiled the Southern Superstars‘ party, upsetting the previously undefeated hosts in the Cubs Week (for u19 teams) final at the Coetzenburg Oval on Tuesday.
The USA, beaten by four wickets in their opening game against the Superstars, convincingly turned the tables, winning the final by a big 105-run margin.
In the title decider, the USA’s Utkarsh Srivastava (95) delivered a telling innings. Along with Sabrish Prasad (41) and Amrinder Gill (35), he helped his team post 244/8 in their 50 overs.
South African Schools’ fast bowler Raeeq Daniels (3/53) tested the Americans, but the Southern Superstars’ batsmen failed to fire. They were bowled out for just 139 runs, with Divan Linde (55) and Daniel Bosman (36) providing the most resistance.
The USA’s Adit Kappa (4/13) and Ansh Rai (3/33) wreaked havoc on the home team’s batting.
In the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, the Central Gladiators got one over the Eastern Warriors, claiming a convincing victory by 123 runs – their first win of the tournament.
Jason Rowles (139*) led the charge for the Gladiators, with his unbeaten century on the Maties’ D-Field coming off just 115 deliveries.
He and Armaan Manack (60) shared a third-wicket partnership of 133 runs, which was the biggest stand in the Gladiators’ massive total of 372/7 from their 50 overs.
The team’s opening batters, Siyabulele Radebe (57) and Joe MacRobert (50), contributed a 90-run opening partnership to the huge total.
The Warriors fought bravely but were bowled out for 249 runs in reply, with Tahseen Hanslo (4/64) and Corné Botha (3/36) impressing with the ball for the winning team.
The Northern Champions‘ Jorich van Schalkwyk ended off a good tournament with a century against Namibia. On the first day, he had starred with an unbeaten 64 runs against the Biltong Farmers.
Van Schalkwyk was also his team’s best bowler in the five-wicket win, with figures of 3/24. He and Jaden Govender (26) shared a 106-run partnership for the second wicket.
The Coastal Conquerors‘ Chad Mason (5/46) snared five wickets to dismantle the Western Legends’ innings. Ruben Maree enjoyed a good day with the bat and appeared on course for a century before Mason trapped him LBW for 95.
The Conquerors’ Joshua van Biljon (89) also narrowly missed out on a century. He and Mfana Shange (51*) put on 101 runs for the fourth wicket as their side scored a six-wicket victory.
Summarised Scorecards
USA 244/8 (Utkarsh Srivastava 95, Sabrish Prasad 41, Amrinder Gill 35, Arjun Mahesh 23; Raeeq Daniels 3/53, Divan Linde 2/37); Southern Superstars 139/10 (Divan Linde 55, Daniel Bosman 36; Adit Kappa 4/13, Ansh Rai 3/33, Arya Garg 2/26). USA won by 105 runs.
Western Legends 229/10 (Ruben Maree 95, Caiden Seleka 35, Extras 35; Chad Mason 5/46, Nqobani Mokoena 2/37); Coastal Conquerors 230/4 (Joshua van Biljon 89, Mfanafthi Shange 51*, Semal Pillay 26, Bandile Mbatha 22). Coastal Conquerors won by six wickets.
Namibia 186/10 (Liam Basson 46, Adriaan Coetzee 45, Francois du Plessis 45, Extras 30; Jorich van Schalkwyk 3/24, Wian Ruthven 2/33); Northern Champions 188/5 (Jorich van Schalkwyk 100, Vihan Pretorius 39*, Jaden Govender 26; Peter Blignaut 2/32, Francois du Plessis 2/44). Northern Champions won by five wickets.
Central Gladiators 372/7 (Jason Rowles 139*, Armaan Manack 60, Siyabulele Radebe 57, Joe MacRobert 50, Extras 32; Hlumelo Ntlola 6/64); Eastern Warriors 249/10 (Esa Gangat 46, Randy Syce 46, Kian Cambier 39, Jean Upman 32, Cayden Wilson 21; Tahseen Hanslo 4/64, Corné Botha 3/36, Esosa Aihevba 2/38). Central Gladiators won by 123 runs.
Dit het slegs twee dae se krieket geneem vir Kriegler Botha se uitstaande boulsyfers van 5/5 om geëwenaar te word.
Eduard Dreyer het sy aanslag op die titel as voorste lopiemaker by vanjaar se Kovsie Smash-toernooi versterk met nóg ‘n uitsonderlike beurt teen Hoërskool Trio tydens die derde oggendsessie.
