Rejuvenated Selborne ready for Switch Schools SA20 Final Showdown
Ryan Koekemoer, Selborne College’s head coach, and Murray Spence, the school’s Master of Cricket, will lead a balanced side that is eager to make its mark at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown in Pretoria from 4-7 March.
Selborne produced polished performances in the preliminary rounds of the competition, and they credit the Selborne Big Bash, which is modelled after the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Betway SA20, as one of the reasons for their success.
“The players are put into an auction and bought by teams, franchise owners, should I say, is very much like the SA20 and IPL,” Spence told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“I think that has rejuvenated cricket at Selborne and has certainly created excitement around cricket. And I think from that Big Bash weekend, the boys are just really keen to get out onto the park and showcase their skills in the weekend derbies.”
Another vital contributor to Selborne’s success has been a healthy team culture. Spence applauds the work Koekemoer has put into ensuring that the team operates in a positive environment that encourages learning and growth.
“We have made sure that the boys are happy on and off the field. The boys are not afraid to make mistakes, but rather they’re comfortable expressing themselves and showcasing the skills that they have,” Spence explained.
Spence and Koekemoer’s approach to guiding the team has not been a top-down situation where they dictate to the players what should be done. They have included input from the team, captained by Matt Hendry.
He has led the team exceptionally well and was also one of Selborne’s top batsmen in the preliminary rounds. At the Grey High Festival earlier in the season, he scored a magnificent hundred in the second innings of a two-day game against Potch Volkies, and he offers a well-rounded game.
As one of the top run-scorers in the Eastern Cape leg of the Switch Schools SA20 tournament, Hendry, along with Cian O’Niel and Josh Wilkie, is one of the primary drivers of Selborne’s batting.
O’Neil is destructive at the top of the order. More often than not, he puts Selborne on the front foot with his aggressive stroke play. He also pairs well with Wilkie, who can be equally severe on opposition bowlers.
Selborne’s bowlers to watch are Avethandwa Manyongo, Lwando Gwaza, and Daniel Tarr. Manyongo, who finished the 2025 CSA u16 Week as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker, leads their bowling attack. He bowls at a brisk pace and has several change-ups in his arsenal.
Gwaza will help Selborne to control the middle overs with his left-arm spin. He’s fearless and is not intimidated by attacking batsmen, and he goes into The Final Showdown in sublime form.
Referencing the third member of that bowling trio, Spence said: “Daniel Tarr has made a name for himself in indoor cricket. He was selected in the South African u15 side, and he has continued on that pathway in bringing his indoor skills to the outdoor game.”
Tarr’s variations will help Selborne to keep a lid on opposition batsmen who might have trouble reading his slower balls. Like Manyongo, Tarr is a brilliant bowler at the death. He is also handy with the bat and capable of providing Selborne with impetus at the backend.
“The cricket programme at Selborne has grown tremendously in the last few years. We are looking forward to being part of the finals in Pretoria,” Spence said.
Selborne’s challenge begins on Wednesday, 4 March, at 09:30, with a tough assignment against the local side, Affies, who will be one of the favourites to go all the way. In the afternoon, the East London school takes on their fellow Eastern Cape team, Graeme College, from Makhanda.
On Thursday morning, Selborne faces Jeppe. After that, on Friday, The Final Showdown moves into the playoffs.
FIXTURES
Wednesday, 4 March
Selborne College vs Affies, 09:30, Tuks D
Selborne College vs Graeme College, 14:00, Tuks D
Thursday, 5 March
Selborne College vs Jeppe, Tuks Oval, 14:00
Squad: Merrick Collins, Reid Drake, Josh Edwards, Rosh Els, Lwando Gwaza, Matthew Hendry, Thomas Lyon, Avetandwa Manyongo, Cian O’Neill, Titus Sweetnam, Daniel Tarr, Josh Wilkie, Afrika Xuba.
Master-in-charge of Sport: Murray Spence, Coach: Ryan Koekemoer
- Player Profile – Josh Wilkie (Selborne College) - 2026-02-26
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- Rejuvenated Selborne ready for Switch Schools SA20 Final Showdown - 2026-02-26
