Eldos, Volkies boost for Kovsie Smash
The third edition of Hoërskool Fichardtpark‘s Kovsie Smash, in Bloemfontein, will feature two highly anticipated new entrants.
Hoërskool Eldoraigne, a consistent contender in the top leagues within the Titans‘ structures, and Potchefstroom Volkskool, one of North West‘s leading producers of talent, will both be in action in the City of Roses.
The tournament will feature 19 teams in competition across five days.
The side from Potchefstroom is likely a stayers’ outfit as another Volkies‘ team will be in action at the Grey Cricket Fest in Gqeberha. They will, nonetheless, be a strong team that highlights the depth of talent in the North West.
Adding further intrigue to an already exciting week of cricket is the round one showdown between Eldos and Potch Volkskool, who meet on Monday morning.
The tournament features three Bloemfontein schools: Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Jim Fouché, and Hoërskool Sentraal.
Hoërskool Wesvalia, the winner of the tournament’s first two editions will not be back to challenge for a hat-trick of titles.
The 2025 finalists, Hoërskool Kalahari, from Kuruman, is expected to be a strong contender again. They begin their campaign against Goudveld at Grey College‘s Tommix Oval.
Hoërskool Lichtenburg, another new entrant, will face Hoërskool Sasolburg on Monday morning, while Oos-Moot and Transvalia go head-to-head on the University of the Free State‘s (UFS) Oval in a match-up that promises early fireworks.
As the name of the tournament suggests, Kovsies (UFS) host the week, along with Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Hoërskool Sentraal, and Grey College.
Limpopo’s Merensky Landbou Akademie sits out the opening round. The Plasies, the northernmost visitors to Bloemfontein, will make an eight-hour journey from Tzaneen and face Jim Fouché in their opening fixture at 14:00 on Monday.
Day three, often referred to as “moving day”, will be highlighted by a meeting between Volkies and Kalahari, while Hoërskool Pietersburg and the Liggies (Hoërskool Lichtenburg) lock horns in the same session.
Matches on Monday and Tuesday will begin at 09:00 and 14:00, while Wednesday will feature only one full round, with most sides enjoying a break in the afternoon.
Thursday’s opening session will see the contenders in quarterfinals’ action, which will be followed by the semi-finals in the afternoon.
The final takes place on the Kovsies’ Oval at 09:00 on Friday morning.
FIXTURES (for the first three days)
Monday – 5 January – Session 1 (09:00)
Oos-Moot vs Transvalia – UFS 1
Jim Fouché vs Witteberg – UFS 2
Trio vs Overvaal – UFS 3
Driehoek vs Voortrekker – UFS 4
Potch Volkskool vs Eldoraigne – UFS Oval
Fichardtpark vs Duineveld – Fichardtpark Oval
Sasolburg vs Lichtenburg – Casa, Grey College
Goudveld vs Kalahari – Tommix, Grey College
Session 2 (14:00)
Wittebrg vs Transvalia – UFS 1
Jim Fouché vs Merensky – UFS 2
Goudveld vs Overvaal – UFS 3
Driehoek vs Potcefstroom Volkskool – UFS 4
Sentraal vs Eldoraigne – UFS Oval
Duineveld vs Lichtenburg – Fichardtpark Oval
Hoërskool Sasolburg vs Pietersburg – Casa, Grey College
Kalahari vs Trio – Tommix, Grey College
Tuesday – 6 January – Session 1 (09:00)
Kalahari vs Overvaal – UFS 1
Potcefstroom Volkskool vs Voortrekker – UFS 2
Goudveld vs Trio – UFS 3
Driehoek vs Sentraal – UFS 4
Lichtenburg vs Fichardtpark – UFS Oval
Pietersburg vs Duineveld – Fichardtpark Oval
Merensky vs Transvalia – Casa, Grey College
Witteberg vs Oos-Moot – Tommix, Grey College
Session 2 (14:00)
Potchefstroom Volskool vs Sentraal – UFS 2
Eldoraigne vs Voortrekker – UFS 4
Pietersburg vs Fichardtpark – UFS Oval
Hoërskool Sasolburg vs Duineveld – Fichardtpark Oval
Jim Fouché vs Transvalia – Casa, Grey College
Merensky vs Oos-Moot – Tommix, Grey College
Wednesday – 7 January – Session 1 (09:00)
Voortrekker vs Sentraal – UFS 1
Driehoek vs Eldoraigne – UFS 2
Jim Fouché vs Oos-Moot – UFS 3
Merensky vs Witteberg – UFS 4
Kalahari vs Potchefstroom Volkskool – UFS Oval
Hoërskool Sasolburg vs Fichardtpark – Fichardtpark Oval
Pietersburg vs Lichtenburg – Casa, Grey College
Trio vs Transvalia – Tommix, Grey College
Duineveld vs Goudveld – GCB Oval, Grey College
