  The Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge has not only reawakened the fierce rivalry among schools across the country, but has been a showcase of a thrilling display from the country’s rising youth cricketers. The competition is reaching an exciting climax, with the finals now almost two weeks away.
Most of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) 15 affiliates head into the semi final and final phases of the provincial rounds this week, while others prepare for the all important Franchise Final which will determine who takes part in the Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge Finals on 27-28 March at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria.
The Lions Franchise Final will take place between King Edward School VIII (KES) and Klerksdorp High School on Friday, 12 March. KES were victorious against fellow neighbours St Johns in the Gauteng final, after a strong performance in the group matches. Klerksdorp High School beat Potchefstroom Gymnasium by 14 runs to earn themselves the title and the bragging rights in the North West province.
Northerns winners, Hoerskool Menlo Park, are awaiting the winners of the 2nd Regional Final between Middleburg High School and Hoerskool Jeugland. Menlo Park cemented their place in the Franchise Final on Sunday after they thrashed Limpopo winners, Hoerskool Ben Vorster by seven wickets, in the 1st regional Final. Middleburg High School are the Mpumalanga champions while Hoerskool Jeugland put in a forceful showing to claim the Easterns title with a 13-run victory over CBC Boksburg on Monday.
The race for a place to represent the Warriors Franchise is speeding up, finalists from the South Western Districts (SWD), Border and Eastern Province will take part in a three-way round-robin Franchise Final, with the winner having the opportunity to bring more silverware to the Franchise at the finals. Oakdale Agricultural High School from Riversdale beat Outeniqua High School from George to walk away with the R20 000 prize money for being the provincial winners in the SWD. Hudson Park from East London are awaiting the winner in the match between Lindani High School from Healdtown and Dale College from King Williams Town in the Border area. Eastern Province are also in full swing with the semi finals and finals scheduled for this week.
Grey High School in Bloemfontein edged out St Andrews by eight wickets with one ball to spare in a close encounter on Saturday. Grey have been a powerhouse in breeding quality cricketers over the years, and it seems they are continuing with the same tradition after their impressive showing. Grey High will play the winner of the Griqualand West region, who are having their semi finals and finals this coming weekend.
Maritzburg College will have to get by either Durban High school (DHS) or Glenwood High School, who are the firm contenders in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal competition. Maritzbug College won the Inland competition after finalists St Charles forfeited their position, and will contest the Franchise Final taking place on the 18th of March at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead. KZN Coastal’s regional final will take place on the 16th of March.
The prime of the Western Cape’s Traditional High Schools will be contesting for a stake to represent the Cape Cobras Franchise. Paul Roos Gymnasium and Paarl Boys High will battle it out in a day/night match on Wednesday, reigniting the rivalry among Boland’s premier cricketing schools. In Cape Town, the semi finals promise to provide spectacular action when Rondebosch Boys High School play against Sherwood/Mannenburg and Bellville Technical High School face Wynberg Boys High School. |