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A Pretorius showdown possible as Affies host Cornwall Hill

By Franco Oberholzer , in Cricket | Featured Cricket | News , at 2024-08-29 Tags: , , , , , , ,

Jorich van Schalkwyk, Affies’ top-order batsman, executes an elegant cover drive.

Saturday’s clash between Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) and Cornwall Hill College could be special for Lhuan-dré Pretorius and his younger brother, Vihan.

The Titans League match could be the last time the brothers face one other at the schoolboy level, providing Lhuan-dré is available and if they don’t meet again in the playoffs.

The SA u19 opening batsman has been called up to represent the Titans in the new Tri-Team Tournament, which will feature six matches being played between 31 August and 8 September.

This, however, won’t dampen the competitive spirits of the siblings. For Lhuan-dré, it would most certainly be a tough ask to get one over his in-form brother, who is currently the second-highest run-scorer in the strong Affies’ lineup, with 580 to his name.

Since the start of the season, Affies have performed well, with their opening batsman Jorich van Schalkwyk, who made the SA Schools team in 2023, leading the way. He has, so far, tallied 703 runs.

His achievements include an unbeaten double century (205*) against Potchefstroom Gimnasium, which he followed with 115 against Prestige College in the next game.

The experienced Divan de Villiers has also peaked at the right time. De Villiers, who has already had a few practice sessions with the Northern Cape Heat, smashed an unbeaten 108 against Hoërskool Kempton Park earlier this week.

He has also been a threat with the ball, capturing 28 wickets, to go along with his run-scoring feats. That’s not far behind Petrus Rautenbach, who will lead the Affies’ attack. He has claimed 34 victims in 2024.

Getting Lhuan-dré Pretorius’s wicket early on will be a massive focus for the Affies’ players. The left-hander has often demonstrated his ability to take the game away from the opposition, even at the international level. His finesse, combined with serious power hitting, will be something the home side has analysed in depth.

Pretorius will look to the experienced wicketkeeper/batsman, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, for some assistance with the willow, while Mohale Pitso and Obakeng Mokanyane will have it all to do with the ball in hand.

Pretoria Boys High (PBHS) will aim to get back to winning ways when they take on Hoërskool Garsfontein on home soil. Boys High started their campaign impressively, winning two on the trot before suffering a narrow loss to Hoërskool Waterkloof last time out. Nicholas Rossouw has been a mainstay for PBHS with both the bat and ball.

Echardt Struwig will lead the Garsfontein bowling attack. He’s been among the wickets, picking up eight in Garsies’ last two outings, and he will be eager to keep up that momentum.

Hoërskool Menlopark will aim to make the most of their home-ground advantage when they host Prestige College. The Parkies will be on a high after securing a hard-fought one-wicket victory against Hoërskool Garsfontein’s Ysbere last week. Prestige College has struggled thus far, falling to two big defeats in their first two fixtures. However, in cricket, anything is possible.

Franco Oberholzer
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.