Garsfontein bosses Affies in Benoni Schools SA20 final
Hoërskool Garsfontein kept their winning streak intact and claimed the title in the Schools SA20 regional playoffs of the Northern Gauteng, Limpopo. and Easterns regions on Sunday.
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In a battle of Pretoria powerhouses, the Ysbere bossed Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in the final at Willowmoore Park.
Echard Struwig, as he had been on many previous occasions, was a crucial contributor to Garsies‘ success.
Batting first, they found themselves in a bit of a pickle at 71/5. But that’s when Struwig stepped up to the plate. Moving along swiftly at a strike rate of 125, he struck 39 runs from 31 deliveries to turn the tide in his side’s favour.
His contribution helped the Ysbere to a competitive total of 142, with the last wicket falling off the last ball of their innings.
Affies’ Nico Loggerenberg (2/32) and Jaden Beukes (2/23) did the bulk of the damage, but only Loggerenberg, among the seven bowlers used, went for less than six runs an over.
The in-form Vihan Pretorius and opening batsman Ethan Williams had Affies sitting pretty for quite some time in their reply. Pretorius led the way, making a classy 50 on the dot, from 53 balls. Williams, meanwhile, weighed in with 48 from 46 balls, which included four of the eight fours Affies scored in their innings.
Together, Pretorius and Williams added 96 for the third wicket, but it was no surprise when Struwig struck a decisive blow for Garsfontein by dismissing Williams off the first ball of the 17th over.
Following his star turn with the bat, Struwig sent down a match-winning three overs during which he captured 4/21. Garsfontein’s captain Xander Venter (3/13) backed up Struwig well as Affies wilted.
They lost seven wickets for only 19 runs in 3.5 overs and were left 18 runs short, on 124/9, after the last ball had been bowled, and Garsfontein remained unbeaten in 2025.
Summarised scorecard
Hoërskool Garsfontein 142 (Echard Struwig 39; Nico Loggenberg 2/32, Jaden Beukes 2/23); Affies 124/9 (Vihan Pretorius 50, Ethan Williams 48; Echard Struwig 4/21, Xander Venter 3/13). Hoërskool Garsfontein won by 18 runs.
