Superstars and Legends the only unbeatens left in Stellenbosch
Two days into Cricket South Africa’s annual Cubs Week, only two teams – the Southern Superstars and the Western Legends – remain unbeaten after Saturday’s action in Stellenbosch.
The competition for the top spot is wide open, however, as last year’s winners, the aptly named Northern Champions, and the Coastal Conquerors still have a chance to make the top four with one round of pool matches left. They’re in the same pool as the Western Legends.
The Conquerors face Namibia on Sunday and will be favoured to bag a bonus-point victory. The Champions and Legends meet and if the Legends suffer a first loss, they could miss out on a semi-final place.
The Legends’ opening batsman Muhammed Bulbulia (122) recorded the second century of the 2025 tournament on Saturday as his side eased to an 88-run victory over Namibia. He faced 142 deliveries and dispatched 11 of those to the boundary.
Bulbulia and Ruben Maree (54) shared a 107-run partnership for the second wicket, which helped their side to a challenging 274/9 from their 50 overs. Junior Kariata was the pick of the Namibian bowlers, picking up three wickets for 39 runs.
Meyer Pretorius (3/19) again spearheaded the Legends’ bowling attack and was well supported by Nathan Rossouw (3/25).
The Conquerors kept their chances of a semi-final spot alive with a four-wicket victory over the Champions on Coetzenburg Oval. They did, however, miss out on bagging a bonus point.
The Champions were in deep trouble early on, stumbling out of the blocks and slumping to 55/6 in the 19th over. Jaden Govender (76*) and Charl Prinsloo (41), however, combined for a crucial 98-run partnership for the seventh wicket, which dragged the defending champs to 196/9 after their 50 overs.
Bandile Mbatha (2/15), Rowen Rajah (2/16), Nqobani Mokoena (2/18) and Shahzaad Perumal (2/33) all caused the Champions’ batting line-up problems. Mbatha also added 28 valuable runs with the bat.
A partnership of 110 runs for the second wicket between Semal Pillay (61) and Ross Coetzee (49) then laid the foundation for the KZN side’s victory.
The Superstars, the local side, is the only team that has already secured a place in the semi-finals. They ran out the winners by five wickets over the Central Gladiators on Saturday.
SA Schools’ captain, Beni Hansen (83) and Unathi Magoloza (42*) shared a 112-run partnership for the fifth wicket, while Paul James (24*) made a telling contribution when he joined Magoloza in the middle to see the Superstars through to victory.
Raeeq Daniels removed four of the Gladiators’ batsmen for only 38 runs in a performance that surely captured the selectors’ attention. They’re putting together a South Africa u19-side to take on England in limited-overs and youth tests.
The United States of America‘s u19 side made waves by romping to a convincing 181-run victory over the Eastern Warriors. Their opening batsmen, Amrinder Gill (88) and Sahil Garg (73) shared a 128-run partnership which was the cornerstone of their team’s healthy 281/7.
A second-wicket partnership of 88 runs between Gill and Utkarsh Srivastava (54) also served to dial up the pressure on the Warriors.
Backing up his side’s good batting performance, the USA’s Advaith Krishna (5/17) picked up the first five-wicket haul of this year’s Cubs Week as the Warriors were skittled for only 100 runs.
Summarised Scorecards
Northern Champions 196/9 (Jaden Govender 76*, Charl Prinsloo 41, Extras 25; Bandile Mbatha 2/15, Rowan Rajah 2/16, Nqobani Mokoena 2/18, Shahzaad Perumal 2/33); Coastal Conquerors 197/6 (Semal Pillay 61, Ross Coetzee 49, Bandile Mbatha 28, Extras 26, Chad Mason 22*; Wian Ruthven 3/28, Sandiswa Yeni 2/32). Coastal Conquerors won by four wickets.
Western Legends 274/9 (Muhammed Bulbulia 122, Ruben Maree 54, Extras 33; Junior Kariata 3/39, Nico Pieters 2/31, Peter Blignaut 2/46); Namibia 196/10 (Waldo Smith 49, Peter Blignaut 41, Extras 29, Zacheo van Heerden 23, Francois du Plessis 20; Meyer Pretorius 3/19, Nathan Rossouw 3/25). Western Legends won by 78 runs.
Central Gladiators 245/10 (Armaan Manack 62, Kamogelo Phiri 50*, Joe MacRobert 35, Jason Rowles 28, Pranav Raichetti 21, Extras 20; Raeeq Daniels 4/38, Sibulele Makeleni 2/25); Southern Superstars 246/5 (Beni Hansen 83, Unathi Magoloza 42*, Extras 30, Paul James 24*, Adnaan Lagadien 24, Johan Wege 23; Sipho Potsane 2/31). Southern Superstars won by five wickets.
USA 281/7 (Amrinder Gill 88, Sahil Garg 73, Utkarsh Srivastava 54, Extras 25; Likhona Gcora 3/51, Esa Gangat 2/42); Eastern Warriors 100/10 (Jacques van der Merwe 41, Randy Syce 22; Advaith Krishna 5/17, Ansh Rai 2/10). USA won by 181 runs.
