Four teams return to Switch Schools SA20 Central Region playoffs
The defending champions, St Andrew’s School, of Bloemfontein, will join three familiar contenders to contest the 2026 Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Central Region final, which brings together the leading schools from the Free State, Northern Cape, and North West.
The tournament returns to Potchefstroom, with matches being played at three venues. The JB Marks Oval, the North-West University Main Oval, and the NWU Ibbies Oval, the university’s second field, adjacent to the main ground, will host the three days of fiery T20 action.
St Andrews lifted the Free State title for a second successive year in 2025, ensuring that no other school in the province has claimed a Schools SA20 crown since the competition’s inception in 2024.
Their dominance over their traditional Bloemfontein rivals Grey College also saw them secure the Central Region title in January 2025. A strong core of that championship-winning squad returns to defend the title.
Among those expected to lead the charge are explosive batsmen FG Botha and Jonathan Hickley, both of whom starred in last year’s final, while the experienced leg-spin of Nikhil Sukraj adds further balance to a formidable Saints‘ line-up. They’ll be aiming to open up another opportunity to take a crack at the national title when phase three of the competition takes place at the University of Pretoria later in the season.
Saints will begin their title defence against the two-time Northern Cape champions, Hoërskool Kalahari. The Kuruman outfit surprised many by reaching the semi-finals last year in Potch, and they arrive with renewed confidence after a third-place finish at the recent Kovsie Smash in Bloemfontein.
That tournament showcased the strong form of bowlers, Janko Noeth and Liam Lang, while Louhan Noeth demonstrated his batting credentials with a combined 188 runs. With that trio leading the way, Kalahari is a dangerous opponent.
The third returning side, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, will enter as North West champions after dethroning Hoërskool Rustenburg in their provincial final. The Gimmies boast a well-balanced squad capable of challenging the strongest line-ups.
Their aggressive top-order spearhead Christivan Coetzer, who is viewed as their premier T20 batsman, will look to make full use of familiar home conditions, while the composed Ulrich Botha provides stability and class at the other end. Lukas Kotze showed up well against top opposition in the recent Peninsula Cricket Festival, too.
They begin their campaign against Hoërskool Trio, of Kroonstad, who showed flashes of their potential at the Kovsie Smash. The batting form of Myburgh Jacobs and the emerging threat of Iwan du Plessis with the ball make them a dark horse, particularly on the larger Potchefstroom fields.
Completing the quartet of returning teams is Hoërskool Rustenburg. They arrive with redemption in mind after an underwhelming 2025 campaign despite entering the regional final as the North West champions.
The Rusties remain a dangerous proposition, especially if their bowling spearhead, the rapid Callie Fryer, finds his rhythm early. Fryer’s raw pace, combined with his proven batting ability, which was highlighted by a monumental 149 during the provincial leg last season, gives Rustenburg genuine match-winning firepower. He will be complemented by the spin of Hendri Kemp, whose control could be pivotal in tandem with Fryer’s aggression.
The opening day will be headlined by a heavyweight clash between St Andrew’s and Hoërskool Rustenburg at the JB Marks Oval on Friday afternoon, setting the tone for another fiercely contested edition of the Switch Schools SA20 Central Region final.
St Patrick’s Christian Brothers College, from Kimberley, completes the line-up.
Fixtures
Friday – 16 January – 09:30
St Andrew’s School vs Hoërskool Kalahari – JB Marks Oval
Potchefstroom Gimnasium vs Trio – NWU Oval
Hoërskool Rustenburg vs St Patrick’s Christian Brothers College – Ibbies Oval (NWU 2)
Friday – 14:00
Hoërskool Rustenburg vs St Andrew’s School – JB Marks Oval
St Patrick’s Christian Brothers College vs Potchefstroom Gimnasium – NWU Oval
Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Trio – Ibbies Oval (NWU 2)
Saturday – 17 January – 09:30
Trio vs St Patrick’s Christian Brothers College – JB Marks Oval
Hoërskool Kalahari vs Hoërskool Rustenburg – NWU Oval
St Andrew’s School vs Potchefstroom Gimnasium – Ibbies Oval (NWU 2)
