Big stand between Manack and Hockly steers SA Schools to victory
The South African Schools side powered their way to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over the SA Colts in a T20 clash at the Mangaung Oval as the Khaya Majola Week concluded in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
In 2024, the SA Colts defeated SA Schools for the first time since 2018. Both of those victories were achieved at Newlands, in Cape Town.
However, the contest in Bloemfontein tilted very firmly in the favour of SA Schools.
The fixture also included former Proteas‘ batsman Stiaan van Zyl, who was one of the two umpires.
The day, though, belonged to Hilton College‘s Ben Hockly and Armaan Manack, of St David’s Marist Inanda. They combined for an unbeaten 134-run partnership as SA Schools chased down a victory target of 149 in just 17.3 overs.
Manack, who was named the Player of the Match, top-scored with an unbeaten 68 from only 51 deliveries. At the other end, Hockly finished unbeaten on 63 from 41 balls. His innings included three towering sixes on the expansive Mangaung Oval.
Hockly will join the University of Pretoria in 2026, as will the Player of the Tournament, Reuben van Zyl. Although he missed out with the bat on Sunday, scoring only eight, Van Zyl, a wicketkeeper/batsman, nonetheless made a valuable contribution by being part of two run outs in the Colts’ innings.
Xavier Coetzee, who was named the Batsman of the Week, was the standout performer for the SA Colts. Continuing his outstanding form from the previous five days, he struck a brisk half-century, making exactly 50 from 34 balls, before becoming the first batsman to be run out.
His exit occurred during a strong spell from Rondebosch Boys’ High‘s Daniel Bosman, who snared 3/23 from his four overs of off spin.
He was well supported by Taywin Adams, of Klein Nederburg, who clamped down on the Colts, capturing 2/13 in four.
The innings had earlier been steadied by a productive 50-run partnership between Coetzee and Westville Boys’ High stalwart Seth Simpson, who made 33, with his only two boundaries both going for six.
Glenwood‘s Bandile Mbatha, a star performer for SA u19 against England at the start of 2025, threatened with the ball for the Colts, claiming 1/10 from two overs, including the key wicket of Van Zyl, who was caught at long-on by Kamogelo Matlala.
Summarised scorecard
SA Colts 148/9 (Xavier Coetzee 50, Seth Simpson 33; Daniel Bosman 3/23, Taywin Adams 2/13); SA Schools 151/2 (Armaan Manack 68*, Ben Hockly 63*; Bandile Mbatha 1/10). SA Schools won by eight wickets.
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