Garsies celebrate Struwig’s 100th cap in style
Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s Echard Struwig on Saturday became the third current First XI player to notch 100 caps for the Ysbere.
Read and relive all the 2025 Schools Cricket action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Struwig joined Reuben van Zyl and captain Xander Venter, the side’s other centurions, to achieve the rare feat in Schoolboy cricket.
Van Zyl played a pivotal role in the Ysbere’s comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Pretoria Boys High School, scoring a second century in as many league games, in the Titans Platinum A-League, having celebrated his 100th cap with another ton in the previous outing.
Van Zyl’s unbeaten 109 runs, off just 101 deliveries, appeared effortless and included 15 fours and a six. It set the platform for a fluent chase of the 179 runs needed for victory, while the other two centurions were instrumental in limiting the opposition to such a fairly low total.
Venter was the mainstay with the ball, picking up 2/15 in the 6.3 overs he bowled, while Struwig, not far behind, got two wickets for only 20 runs in his six overs. Venter would go on to contribute with bat in hand too, making 27 not out, with Charl van Staden chipping in with 32 runs.
At the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool oval, Vihan Pretorius, Nico Loggerenberg, and Zian Labuschagne dismantled Prestige College as Affies strolled to a whopping 10-wicket victory. Conceding a combined 45 runs only, the trio was responsible for all 10 wickets as the visitors stumbled to 76 all out.
Pretorius took charge with his return of 4/15 in nine overs, while Labuschagne, opening the bowling alongside Pretorius, snapped up 3/19, and Loggenberg concluded with 3/11 in nine overs. With all the hard work done, Affies’ opening pair, JP Botha and Dylan Stander, obliged to each score at more than a run a ball and chase down the target in the ninth over.
Botha struck eight boundaries for his unbeaten 39, while Stander smashed four fours and two sixes during his contribution of 35 not out, setting a dangerous tone for the rest of the league.
Summarised scorecards:
Pretoria Boys High School 178 (Tinashe Mbingo 57, Louis Kruyshaar 36, Jayden Knott-Craig 22; Xander Venter 2/15, Echard Struwig 2/20, Zizwe Khumalo 2/30); Garsfontein 180/2 (Reuben van Zyl 109*, Charl van Staden 32, Xander Venter 27*; Justin-Luke Basteo 1/22). Garsfontein won by eight wickets.
Prestige College 76 (Mohau Mahlangu 20; Vihan Pretorius 4/15, Nico Loggenberg 3/11, Zian Labuschagne 3/19); Affies 78/0 (JP Botha 39*, Dylan 35*). Affies won by 10 wickets.
