Five-year changing of the guard as Affies dethrone Klofies as Titans Champs
The Titans Platinum League has a new champion for the first time in five years as Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool dethroned the dominant Hoërskool Waterkloof following a scintillating 2025 campaign.
Affies’ defining moment came when they beat the Klofies by 51 runs, at Affies on 20 September. That left them with only one more hurdle to overcome, that of Cornwall Hill College, at home, to stay unbeaten and reign superior in Pretoria.
The chat in the Affies camp would’ve been not to underestimate the side from Cornwall, especially after their impressive displays at the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week during the holiday in October. Hence, the dominant display, which saw Affies cruise to victory against Cornwall by a comfortable 157 runs.
The day belonged to right-arm seamer Petrus Rautenbach and wicketkeeper-batsman Daniel Murray. Murray was responsible for setting the platform of 244 runs by Affies batting first, with a neat display of running between the wickets and great patience. Facing 102 deliveries, Murray hit 78 runs that included only a solitary six, while he was well supported by his captain Ruben Groenewald (39) and opening batsman Dylan Stander (34).
Cornwall bowled well, sticking to a nagging length that made Affies work for their 244 runs. Neo Makwela was the pick of the eight bowlers used, claiming three wickets for 49 runs in his allotted 10 overs. He was one of only two bowlers who completed their full quota, the other being Kirill Broughton (0/30).
After Keegan van Wyk (30) and Rourke de Lange (25) had set the tone with an opening partnership of 56 runs, things went south and quicklyfollowing their departures. Van Wyk was sent back to the pavilion, caught and bowled by Groenewald (1/11), and the wheels came off completely after the run out of De Lange, orchestrated by Divan Linde.
When Rautenbach’s turn came with the ball, he made full use of it to demolish the Cornwall batting lineup. In just 6.3 overs, he only conceded nine runs at an economy rate of 1.38 per over, while picking up five wickets.
Fellow seamer, Nico Loggenberg, also a stalwart in the Affies bowling lineup throughout the league, supported well with a further two wickets, also for just nine runs in eight overs, as Cornwall collapsed, losing eight wickets for a mere 31 runs, eventually being bundled for just 87 in the 29th over.
The victory also spells the end of Affies’ cricket for the matrics as the giant from Pretoria does not participate in the Fain Noordvaal Series, thus it provided a sweet end to a wonderful 2025 for the elders of the Affies side.
Klofies, who finished second, and Hoërskool Garsfontein, in third place, will advance to the Noordvaal Quarter finals. The two are set to face each other in a second local derby, on Saturday, 25 October, at Garsfontein.
To further add to Affies’ massive 2025 cricketing success, both the u14 and u15 sides managed to win their leagues as well, securing three trophies for the Affies cabinet.
Summarised scorecard
Affies 244 (Daniel Murray 78, Ruben Groenewald 39, Dylan Stander 34, Zian Labuschagne 24; Neo Makwela 3/49); Cornwall Hill College 87 (Keegan van Wyk 30, Rourke de Lange 25; Petrus Rautenbach 5/9, Nico Loggenberg 2/9). Affies won by 157 runs.
