Titans Platinum League title race wide open
At present, no one can predict for certain who will be crowned as the 2025 Titans Platinum League champion.
Read and follow all the 2025 Schools Cricket action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Over the past four years, Hoërskool Waterkloof have dominated the Titans scene, making history as the first side to claim consecutive titles across as many seasons.
This year, however, the landscape looks rather different.
The Klofies are by no means a weak outfit, boasting leaders such as middle-order batsman Riley Miller and wicketkeeper-batsman Rico van der Walt, both brimming with First XI experience. In addition, a new generation of talent is emerging. Opening batsman AJ de Villiers has already announced himself with a century in the league, underlining the depth at Waterkloof’s disposal.
The real shift, however, lies in the rise of three other sides who have assembled some of their strongest teams in recent years.
Hoërskool Garsfontein, unbeaten in their opening two matches, already field three players who have surpassed the 100-cap milestone.
Their captain, Xander Venter, has been involved in Cricket South Africa’s talent identification camps with an eye to the next ICC Under-19 World Cup, while Reuben van Zyl’s bat has already produced two centuries in as many matches. The third centurion, Echard Struwig, has been a game-changer with both bat and ball, stepping up as a match-winner when his side needed it most.
The Garsies, nicknamed the Ysbere, are also the reigning Titans Schools SA20 champions and national semi-finalists, following their impressive run at the national tournament, hosted at the University of Pretoria earlier this year.
Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool also possesses serious firepower. Grade 11 all-rounder Vihan Pretorius, who toured with the South African Under-19s earlier this year, is traditionally recognised for his batting, yet has made his biggest impact with the ball in the 2025/26 season.
Alongside him, prodigy Cristian Linde has forced his way into the Affies First XI. Still in Grade 9, Linde has already established himself at the top of the order under the watchful eye of coach Pieter Cronjé.
Hoërskool Menlopark cannot be underestimated either and, on paper, look formidable. At the top of the order, the experienced Matt van der Westhuizen is hungry for runs, while youngster Jan-Willem Pienaar, another exciting young talent, has impressed in the middle order since his debut late last year. The Parkies, however, will miss their strike bowler, Tiaan Serfontein, for the foreseeable future, with the frontline quickie having undergone knee surgery.
This weekend, Menlopark meet Pretoria Boys High School, while Affies face the dark horses, Hoërskool Eldoraigne, who will be eager to prove a point as newcomers to the competition. Waterkloof host Prestige College, while the Ysbere travel to Cornwall Hill College for their third fixture of the round-robin stage.
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