Hoërskool Middelburg eyes Finsbury promotion, Centurion hosts key clash
With two rounds remaining in the C Section of the Finsbury League, Hoërskool Middelburg appears to be the leading candidate for promotion to the B Section.
The Middies have claimed bonus-point victories in the three matches they have played thus far, and they boast an imposing net run rate of 6.08, comfortably clear of Hoërskool Pietersburg in second place.
A home victory over Hoërskool Dinamika on Saturday could all but seal Middelburg’s place in the promotion–relegation fixture scheduled for 21 February, with Hoërskool Marais Viljoen the most likely opposition.
Pleasingly, for Mpumalanga’s leading cricket school, their success has not been built around any single individual.
Instead, the team culture fostered by head coach Shuan Neethling has been central to Middelburg’s rise. His philosophy of encouraging players to express themselves and trust their natural game has paid handsome dividends, with Gavin Genis, Eduan Strydom, and Hendré Nel, all of whom have been integral to the side’s progress since their u16 days, leading the way.
Genis, in particular, has been in scintillating form with the bat. His double century against Hoërskool Lichtenburg a week ago put an exclamation mark on a remarkable three-week purple patch during which he has amassed 390 runs to take his 2026 tally to an imposing 712.
Nel has complemented that impact with strong contributions of his own. The talented all-rounder has already claimed 18 wickets this season and scored 372 runs, including an unbeaten 144 against Lichtenburg last Saturday.
Dinamika, meanwhile, arrives in Middelburg with two victories from three matches, which have been built on collective performances rather than individual dominance. They resemble their hosts, with head coach Jacques Venter overseeing an experienced squad, ably led by captain Branko Steenberg. Alongside the skipper, Jared Cliffe is another player who could play a decisive role in Saturday’s 50-over contest.
Hoërskool Zwartkop hosts Hoërskool Pietersburg in another mouth-watering C Section clash, with both sides locked on 10 log points. A victory for either, especially with a bonus point, could dramatically alter the promotion playoff picture, especially if Dinamika springs an upset in Middelburg.
Were that to happen, three teams would be level on 15 log points heading into the final round.
In Centurion, the clash between Hoërskool Centurion and Hoërskool Lichtenburg could prove decisive in the battle to avoid relegation. Both Woeries and Liggies remain winless after three rounds. A win on Saturday, though, could potentially secure C Section status for the 2027 season.
The side forced to play the promotion-relegation fixture appears likely to face Hoërskool Dr Malan, of Meyerton, who have emerged as the D Section’s leading contenders for promotion.
