It’s T20 time as the Westvaal North/South returns
After an exciting run-fest at the 2023 tournament, the teams contesting the sixth annual Westvaal North/South tournament will be itching to take a crack at the prestigious title when the event takes place in Pretoria from 10-13 October.
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The back-to-back defending champions, Hoërskool Waterkloof, will have their work cut out for them in Pool A, where they face stiff competition.
When they won in 2023, the Klofies made history by becoming the first school to successfully defend the title. Now, in 2024, they return a well-seasoned and strong lineup, which includes wicket-keeper and captain, Beukes van den Berg, and the “Master Blaster”, Marcus Bakker. If firepower is what is needed, Waterkloof has it.
To pull off a three-peat, the Pretoria school will first need to navigate the dangerous waters of Pool A, where they will be challenged by Rondebosch Boys’ High, from Cape Town, Johannesburg’s St Stithians College, and Northwood School, from Durban. The Knights, who missed the 2023 tournament, return to the lineup in place of Selborne College.
Last year’s runners-up, Hoërskool Menlopark, will be a force to be reckoned with and their challenge in Pool B will start up front with their captain and South African u19 opening batsman, Steve Stolk, whose powerful strokeplay and fast scoring make him a potential match-winner every time he takes to the crease.
Paarl Boys’ High, who went with a young line-up at last year’s North/South, could be a serious contender, battle-hardened by a year of tough competition in the very competitive Western Cape under their belt. There’s no sure thing in the pool, however, with Grey High School, from Gqeberha, and St Andrew’s School, from Bloemfontein, possessing some outstanding individual talents with the ability to tilt games in their favour.
Grey College will be looking forward to a duel with their long-time rivals Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in Pool C. It could be viewed as the “Pool of Death”, with Wynberg Boys’ High and Potchefstroom Volkskool, also in the running, but that tag could could just as easily apply to any of the pools.
Joining Northwood as a newcomer in 2024, Jeppe High School for Boys replaces Mbombela’s Hoërskool Nelspruit. They’ll face a Westville Boys’ High outfit, which includes some outstanding stroke-makers adept at fast scoring in the T20 format, in Pool D. SACS, the second of the Western Cape challengers, also poses a threat, while Hoërskool Centurion‘s challenge comes with a sprinkling of unpredictability.
POOLS
Pool A – Waterkloof, Rondebosch Boys’ High, St Stithians College, Northwood School.
Pool B – Hoërskool Centurion, SACS, Jeppe High School for Boys, Westville Boys’ High.
Pool C – Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies), Wynberg Boys’ High, Potchefstroom Volkskool, Grey College.
Pool D – Hoërskool Menlopark, Paarl Boys’ High, St Andrew’s School, Grey High School.
