Well-oiled Saints Christian School targets national title in Jacaranda City
Saints Christian School has a strong claim to being the best girls’ cricket side in South Africa. That’s a badge they wear with grace and honour.
For the Potchefstroom outfit, the mission is not only about talent, but also about nurturing the next generation.
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The Saints’ goal for The Final Showdown of the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two competition, starting on 4 March at the University of Pretoria, is simple: win it all.
The national title would add further weight to an already deep list of achievements, which includes winning the Fain Noordvaal title, the North West Schools League title, the Central Region title, and, impressively, the North West Women’s Premier League title.
The North West Premier League is the province’s senior club competition. It features former Proteas Women’s captain Mignon du Preez, along with several others who have played at the franchise or international level.
Saints Christian School’s success has not arrived overnight. It is the product of diligent work and a philosophy embedded from a very young age. It’s the prioritisation of growth from Grade 1 that makes the Saints cricketing programme so successful. That’s when the girls are introduced to the game through the highly successful KFC Mini Cricket foundation.
From this base, the programme features a long‑term focus on the so‑called “one per cent”, which has been a key ingredient in their recent dominance.
Saints will be extremely difficult to beat. The Potchefstroom side travels to the capital loaded with experience. Every player is now in either their third or fourth year of 1st XI cricket.
Among the most experienced players in the squad is the off‑spinning all‑rounder Reabetswe Dithipe, who captains the side. She is supported by talented wicketkeeper‑batter Jessica Joshua, and another off‑spinning option, Siphokasi Duma. Siphokasi’s sister, Siphumele Duma, will pose a major threat with the new ball.
Gogontle Padi, another gifted all‑rounder, adds further depth with her medium pace and capability with the bat.
With a talented and confident squad, Saints Christian School has their eyes on the prize. Their knowledge of most of their opposition and their spotless record against several of those sides means they are well prepared for what lies ahead. It also makes them, to many, the favourites.
Their opener is on Wednesday, 4 March, with a morning outing against Queens High. The next day, they tackle Nomandi in the morning and the Nkowankowa Hub in the afternoon.
The playoffs take place from the afternoon of Friday, 6 March.
FIXTURES
Wednesday, 4 March
Saints vs Queens, Tuks C, 09:30
Friday, 5 March
Saints vs Nomandi, Tuks D, 09:30
Saints vs Nkowankowa, Duks D, 14:00
