Queens aims to keep girls’ Switch Schools SA20 national title in Gauteng
After their 2025 Switch Schools SA20 run ended in the final of the Central Gauteng Lions (CGL) phase with a losing effort against the eventual national champions, Steyn City School, Queens High School has come back stronger this season.
Boasting the talents of all-rounder Mankwane Moriri, captain Karabo Matlaila, and Boitumelo Chuene at the top of the order, as well as fearsome bowlers Tshepi Choma, Thanya Nkuna, and Hlekani Chisane, the Johannesburg side heads into The Final Showdown in Pretoria as one of the teams to watch.
“Preparations have been going well. It’s nice to have all the girls healthy and fit,” coach Jabulane Manatsa said.
“The intensity is a bit different from Phase Two. However, we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s our first time taking part in such a massive tournament. We are happy and excited, and we are looking forward to showcasing our abilities.”
Having disposed of the defending champion, Steyn City, Queens will aim to stake its claim in the school’s first appearance at the national showpiece. Among the teams vying for the crown, they’ll face stiff competition from the 2025 runner-up, Saints Christian School. The Potchefstroom school, along with Nomandi Junior Secondary and the Nkowankowa Hub, has the advantage of playing in last year’s national tournament.
“The main focus has been about adaptation, fitness, and the ability to play the full 20 overs with the same intensity throughout,” Manatsa said. “Also, our ability to score runs against spinners, running between the wickets, getting our batting and bowling combinations right, and understanding how they can benefit from each other, as well as what their roles are.”
Queens opens their challenge against the KwaZulu-Natal champions, the Chatsworth Hub, on Thursday, 5 March, and will be eager to make an immediate impact in its quest to ensure the trophy stays in Central Gauteng.
Road to the final
The Bezuidenhout Valley school’s road to the national showpiece included strong performances in the CGL play-offs in November, which reflected the side’s pedigree and fearlessness.
Manatsa’s charges showed intent from the first ball of the CGL finals, first disposing of Hoërskool Randburg with a combination of flair and talent.
They then made light work of Jeppe High School for Girls in the final, limiting their neighbours to 75/9 from 16 overs, behind Choma’s 3/3, after posting 165/9, which was anchored by Matlaila’s valuable 34.
Their local form translated into regional success at the Gauteng and Mpumalanga finals, where they outplayed the Mpumalanga champions, Hoërskool Middelburg, to book their place at The Final Showdown in Pretoria.
With pride, bragging rights and a claim to being the best schoolgirl T20 side in the country on the line, Manatsa admitted that it would be difficult to win the country’s most prestigious T20 schools’ tournament. But he believes in his players’ abilities.
“We try as much as we can not to think about the fact that it’s our debut. We want to remain present and enjoy the moment. Nerves are there,” he admitted. “However, that just shows we care, and we want to do well in this final round of the Switch SchoolsSA20.
“We emphasise doing the basics or the simple things at practice, so that we limit the stress we might come across.
“Most importantly, it’s about trusting the process and believing that our abilities will take us all the way.”
