Waterkloof wary of dark horse Wesvalia, Marais Viljoen and Rustenburg square off
As the cricket season in the Noordvaal heads towards its business end, it’s time for the best of the best from their respective regions to battle it out for the Noordvaal honours.
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The defending champions, Hoërskool Waterkloof, will be wary of the threat posed by Hoërskool Wesvalia. They host the side from Klerksdorp in the playoff round before the quarter-finals of the Fain Noordvaal Competition next week.
Wesvalia finished second in the North West after some impressive performances, which included a narrow victory over Potchefstroom Volkskool, who’ve led the way on the province’s cricket fields over the last couple of years.
The Dreyer brothers, Marneau and Eduard, have had much to do with Wesvalia’s successes. Eduard, the younger brother and still in Grade 11, has set the standard with the bat, scoring 756 runs in 19 matches, including two centuries and four half-centuries, at an average of 54, while Marneau, hard on his heels, has tallied 721 runs in 20 matches at an average of 45. Luan Vermeulen has added valuable support, scoring over 600 runs thus far.
The Dreyers have also led the way in the bowling department for the Wessies, snapping up a combined total of 56 wickets between them. On Saturday, they’ll be up against a formidable batting lineup, which includes Titans’ Khaya Majola representatives, Marcus Bakker and Wian Ruthven, and Waterkloof’s leading run-scorer, Divan Behrens.
All three have scored more than 1 000 runs in 2024, and they have shown that they are extremely dangerous, especially at home. Bakker has also captured more than 50 wickets with his nagging left-arm off-breaks. They’re a handy weapon in the Klofies’ arsenal.
In another clash that promises to keep spectators on the edge of their seats, Hoërskool Rustenburg hosts Hoërskool Marais Viljoen.
It’s hard to believe that the Rusties’ Callie Fryer is still only 16 years of age. The all-rounder has produced exceptional performances throughout the season, and has, more often than not, been at the forefront of his team’s victories.
Marais Viljoen possesses dangerous weapons of their own. They will look to their experienced captain, Jaden Govender, who was part of the side that finished second in the Noordvaal in 2023, to lead their challenge, while opening batsman Abdullah Tadwala should enjoy the batting-friendly wicket in Rustenburg.
Heidelberg Volkskool captain, Matthew Wentzel, will have a major role to play with the bat when Volkies welcome the dangerous Hoërskool Kempton Park. The Kempies have proved themselves to be a versatile side, and they will be full of confidence after qualifying for the Easterns’ Schools SA20 final.
Prestige College travels further north to tackle the Limpopo League champions, Hoërskool Pietersburg. The pitch is traditionally kind to batsmen, which will surely excite Lesedi Mabena and Thabang Kutumela, who shared an unbroken stand of almost 400 runs in a recent Schools SA20 match.
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