Pienaar hits his straps as Menlopark returns to winning ways
Jan-Willem Pienaar, of Die Hoërskool Menlopark, struck an unbeaten century to guide the Parkies to a win over Hoërskool Rustenburg in a Finsbury League A Section clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
After suffering a surprise setback against Potchefstroom Volkskool last weekend, Menlo’s 154-run triumph put their bid for a place in the final back on track.
It appears increasingly likely that Hoërskool Waterkloof will be in the title game. They’re on course to top the competition’s group stage.
Pienaar’s unbeaten 111 laid the foundation for the home side to post a total of 252/6 from their 50 overs. He made his way to the middle after the fall of the first wicket and proceeded to hold down an end, patiently turning the 143 deliveries he faced into a match-defining innings.
He shared an 80-run opening partnership with André Kruyshaar, who was eventually dismissed for a well-crafted 52. Pienaar continued to marshal the innings, receiving further support from Monré Koekemoer, who contributed a valuable 20.
Thian Labuschagne was the standout bowler for Rusties, returning 2/45 from his 10 overs. The Menlopark bowlers, however, exploited the conditions far more effectively, and the visitors were dismissed for a modest 98.
Wihan Spanneberg led the charge, knocking over an impressive 4/14, while Jovan Hartman got rid of three batsmen for just 26 runs.
In Centurion, Hoërskool Eldoraigne claimed the first victory of their 2026 Finsbury League campaign, powering their way to a comprehensive 144-run win over Potchefstroom Volkskool. It was a splendid response to a disappointing performance against Hoërskool Kempton Park last weekend.
The experienced Vince Lotz led the way and fell agonisingly short of a century. Opening the innings, he faced 85 balls and turned those into 98 runs.
He was well supported by Jean du Randt, who made a telling 69, while Benyael Morkel added a brisk 42 at better than a run a ball, as Eldos reached 288/9.
Despite the hosts’ dominance with the bat, Andries Venter produced an outstanding effort for the visitors, completing his 10 overs with figures of 5/47, a commendable performance in a losing cause.
When Volkies batted, Matthew Sampson and the Eldoraigne bowling unit took control, but only after Juan van Niekerk raised his bat for a well-made 50.
Sampson was the chief destroyer, capturing 4/27 from six overs, while Morkel followed up his strong batting performance by snaring 3/28 from his left-arm off-spin. Rowan McLaren added a return of 2/24 as Volkskool was dismissed for 144.
Summarised scorecard
Menlopark 252/6 (Jan-Willem Pienaar 111*, André Kruyshaar 52, Monré Koekemoer 20; Thian Labuschagne 2/45); Hoërskool Rustenburg 98/10 (Rejean van de Venter 19; Wihan Spanneberg 4/14, Jovan Hartman 3/26). Menlopark won by 154 runs.
Eldoraigne 288/9 (Vince Lotz 98, Jean du Randt 69, Rowan McLaren 42; Ruan Steyn 22; Andries Venter 5/47); Potchefstroom Volkskool 144/10 (Juan van Niekerk 50, Schalk Pienaar 32; Matthew Sampson 4/27, Benyael Morkel 3/28, Rowan McLaren 2/24). Eldoraigne won by 144 runs.
