One of Pretoria’s oldest rivalries takes centre stage on Saturday
An old rivalry, most probably Pretoria’s oldest school sports rivalry, will take centre stage on Saturday when Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) welcomes neighbours Pretoria Boys’ High School in the final round of the Titans Platinum A-League.
Follow all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Both sides will be looking to get back to winning ways after a string of disappointing performances in the recent Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week.
With a chance to still qualify for the Fain Noordvaal playoffs, things are expected to heat up amid the Pretoria spring.
Affies will be delighted to welcome back star batsman, Jorich van Schalkwyk, following his tour with the South African U19 Emerging squad in Zimbabwe.
Van Schalkwyk has been instrumental as his side’s leading run scorer in 2024. He showed glimpses of his best form in Zimbabwe, which would’ve triggered certain warning lights for the visitors.
Affies captain, Divan de Villiers, has also been immense with both bat and ball throughout the year, although some argue that the talented batting all-rounder is yet to hit his stride in this year’s league. De Villiers has shown before that he is a man for the big moments and will be fizzing to make a major contribution on Saturday.
In their own right, the Boys High side has enough firepower to see off their arch rival. Stalwart Tim Gordon has been the shining light with the willow, and his calmness and clarity under pressure may just be what is needed against the powerhouse Affies bowling lineup.
Alongside Gordon, another threat looms in Adam Cannata. Cannata, who has developed into one of the most potent leg-spinners in the region, will pose a definite danger to Van Schalkwyk and Co, especially if he finds his rhythm early on. This might be needed, seeing that the Affies pitch has traditionally been more beneficial towards batsmen.
Cornwall Hill College hosts the unpredictable Prestige College on home soil. The side from Hammanskraal will still be buzzing following their sterling victory over Hoërskool Centurion before the September break.
They will, however, need to get past Cornwall’s inform kingpin, Lethabo Phahlomohlaka. Phahlamohlaka also makes his return after enjoying some success alongside Van Schalkwyk in the SA U19 Emerging side’s 5-0 whitewash of Zimbabwe.
Hoërskool Centurion’s talented right-handed batsman, Charl Prinsloo, will be relishing the opportunity to upset an in-form and well-balanced Hoërskool Menlopark side. A strong batting lineup, led by opening batsman, Matt van der Westhuizen, however, stands in the way of the Woeries’ first victory in this year’s league.
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