Garsfontein’s “Ysbere” ready for National Final of Schools SA20
Hoërskool Garsfontein will be viewed by some as the favourite to claim the title of the best schoolboy T20 side in South Africa when they take to the fields of the University of Pretoria from 12 March in the National Final of the Schools SA20 competition.
Follow Hoërskool Garsfontein and all the Schools SA20 action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.sportschools.com)
The Pretoria side was a force to be reckoned with throughout the pool stage of the competition.
Still unbeaten this season, Garsies, more commonly known as the Ysbere, have produced some splendid performances on their way to playing on the big stage for the national title.
The highlight of their season, arguably, came when they beat a strong Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) side in the final of the regional playoffs, which featured the top two teams from each of the Northern Gauteng, Limpopo, and Easterns unions in Benoni.
Led by the experienced Xander Venter, Garsfontein went into their clash against Affies having won 25 T20 matches on the trot, playing teams from all over South Africa, including Paarl Boys’ High, whom they smashed for 230 in their 20 overs.
Venter has been at the forefront of their challenge. He’s made important contributions with both bat and ball and captains the side for the second year in succession.
The runs that have flowed from his bat have played a major role in Garsfontein’s many victories and his batting contributions will be one of the key factors in whether or not the Ysbere claim national glory.
Along with Venter, all-rounder Echard Struwig is a player on whom to keep an eye. He’s developed the valuable habit of capturing timely wickets and is a strong performer in the middle phase of the game. As a batsman, Struwig can be destructive, and he has the ability to change the course of an innings in a matter of balls.
Venter and Struwig are not the only players other teams will have to contend with. Opening batsman Reuben van Zyl has been in fine form and has helped Garsfontein get off to good starts with his aggressive approach at the top of the order. His ability to rotate the strike and to capitalise on bad balls makes him dangerous.
The Ysbere, with a well-balanced and well-coached side, will, without a doubt, be difficult to stop, especially since they’ll enjoy the familiar conditions of playing in their home city of Pretoria.
