Nkowankowa heads to Final Showdown armed with experience
The only team to have been crowned the champion of the Northern Region in the Switch Schools SA20 competition, the Nkowankowa Girls Hub, will head to The Final Showdown, phase three of the national competition, armed with the valuable experience of competing for the national title in 2025.
The national playoffs of the tournament, now in its second year, commence on Wednesday, 3 March, and conclude on Saturday, 7 March, at the University of Pretoria.
As the only side to have lifted the Northern Region’s title, the girls from South Africa’s most northern province know what to expect when they take on the cream of the crop in South Africa’s capital city.
Eleven players from Nkowankona’s 2025 squad of 13 will again be in action this year, and all 11 have represented Limpopo at the provincial level. Last year, in December, five showcased their skills at the u19 National Girls Week, while another six featured at the u16 National Girls Week.
Complementing an experienced core are two talented 13‑year‑olds. The highly regarded Nsovo Nkuna and Lunghelo Malungana will experience national competition for the first time.
The side will be led by Respect Mabasa, who, along with Tshepiso Motswi, has already represented the Limpopo Impala Ladies at the senior level.
Nkowankona’s main threat, and the most experienced player in the squad, is Shelfa Mukhari, who earned selection for the SA u19 side that faced Zimbabwe in Durban in January.
Naturally, success attracts greater interest, and Nkowankowa’s outstanding achievements over the past two years reflect that fact.
“We have a lot of girls wanting to play for Nkowankowa after what the girls have achieved. Honestly, it gives me a bit of a headache, in a good way, because the massive pool of talent that came in made choosing the 13 for Phase Three exceptionally hard,” coach Blessing Mabunda told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“Having been there last year, we know what to expect. The girls have experience, and everyone is taking responsibility.
“We are in a better space, compared to last year, and we now know our strengths and weaknesses.
“The girls have played a lot of cricket heading into The Final Showdown.
“What I can say is we are ready to make waves and that we are not to be underestimated.”
The Nkowankowa Hub opens its challenge for the national title with a 14:00 outing against KwaZulu-Natal’s Chatsworth Hub on Wednesday, 4 March.
On Thursday, 5 March, they take on the Western Cape’s HTS Drostdy at 09:30. That’s followed by a 14:00 showdown with Saints Christian School, from the North West, who were also part of the national final in 2025.
The playoffs followed on 6 March, with the final being played on 7 March.
FIXTURES
Wednesday, 4 March
Nkowankowa Hub vs Chatsworth Hub, Tuks C, 14:00
Thursday, 5 March
Nkowankowa Hub vs HTS Drostdy, Tuks C 09:30
Nkowankowa Hub vs Saints Christian School, Tuks D, 14:00
