Schools SA20 Final: Bishops vs St David’s, Saints Christian vs Steyn City in Historic Showdowns

Schools SA20 Final: Bishops, St David’s, Saints Christian & Steyn City Battle for Glory

The inaugural Schools SA20 tournament reaches its climax as Bishops Diocesan College faces St David’s Marist in the boys’ final, while Saints Christian School takes on Steyn City School in the girls’ championship match. Bishops secured their spot with a dominant seven-wicket win, while St David’s advanced with a 26-run victory. Saints Christian remains unbeaten heading into the final, while Steyn City relies on standout performer Karabo Meso. The finals will be broadcast live, marking a milestone for school cricket in South Africa.

Scorecard

Boys’ Semi-Finals:

• Bishops Diocesan College 121/3 (James Robb-Quinlan 40*, Adnaan Lagadien 29) defeated Graeme College 120/5 (Corbin Tidbury 25) by 7 wickets.
• St David’s Marist 124/8 (Hayden Campbell 34) defeated Garsfontein 98 (Riaan Boshoff 31) by 26 runs.

Girls’ Semi-Finals:

• Steyn City School 119/2 (Karabo Meso 64*, Diara Ramlakan 42) defeated Nkowankowa 56 (Respect Mabasa 12) by 63 runs.
• Saints Christian School 91/4 (Reabetswe Dithipe 29) defeated Dr. JL Dube 22 (Siphumelele Duma 4/5) by 69 runs.

The inaugural Schools SA20 tournament is set for an electrifying conclusion as Bishops Diocesan College and St David’s Marist clash in the boys’ Final, while Saints Christian School takes on Steyn City School in the girls’ title decider. The much-anticipated finals will be held at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria on Saturday, marking the culmination of three days of intense competition featuring top school-level cricket talent from across South Africa.

The boys’ Final kicks off at 09h00, followed by the girls’ Final at 13h30. Cricket fans will be treated to live coverage on SuperSport Channel 216, with the girls’ Final also being broadcast on SuperSport Variety 4 (Channel 209), a significant milestone in promoting girls’ cricket.

Boys’ Final: Bishops Diocesan College vs St David’s Marist

Bishops Diocesan College stormed into the final with a dominant seven-wicket win over Graeme College in their semi-final. Their success was largely driven by the brilliant form of captain James Robb-Quinlan and opening batter Adnaan Lagadien, both of whom played crucial roles in their team’s victories throughout the tournament. The duo’s 103-run partnership against St David’s in the earlier rounds showcased their ability to deliver under pressure, and they will once again be key players in the final.

St David’s Marist, on the other hand, secured their place in the final with a 26-run triumph over Garsfontein. Hayden Campbell led the charge with a crucial 34-run knock, while their bowling unit, featuring the likes of Morteza Manack and Christopher Emslie, dismantled Garsies' batting lineup. The battle between Bishops' formidable batting lineup and St David’s disciplined bowling attack promises to be a thrilling contest.

Girls’ Final: Saints Christian School vs Steyn City School

The girls’ Final will see an unbeaten Saints Christian School side face off against a determined Steyn City School outfit. Saints Christian has been in exceptional form, dominating their matches and showcasing a well-balanced team effort. Their all-round strength, led by standout performances from players like Reabetswe Dithipe and Siphumelele Duma, makes them a formidable opponent.

Steyn City School, despite suffering a surprise loss to Nomandi in their final pool match, remains a force to be reckoned with. South Africa U19 star Karabo Meso has been the team’s standout performer, delivering an unbeaten 64* in their dominant win over Nkowankowa. She also earned the Player of the Day red cap, highlighting her immense contribution. The final will be a battle between Saints Christian’s consistency and Steyn City’s ability to bounce back under pressure.

Standout Performances of the Tournament

The Schools SA20 has been filled with exceptional individual performances. South Africa U19 spinner Enathi Kitshini stole the spotlight with a remarkable five-wicket haul for just eight runs, leading the CSA Hub Invitational side to a vital victory. In the girls’ division, Nkowankowa’s Shelfa Mukhari produced the best bowling figures of the tournament, taking 5/9 in their win over Dr. JL Dube.

Adnaan Lagadien’s unbeaten 89* in the semi-final for Bishops and Karabo Meso’s all-round dominance for Steyn City have been among the top highlights, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.

The Road to the Finals

The journey to the Schools SA20 final has been marked by intense battles and moments of brilliance. For Bishops and St David’s, the road was paved with dominant batting performances and disciplined bowling. Meanwhile, Saints Christian’s unbeaten run and Steyn City’s resilience have ensured an exciting matchup for the girls’ championship.

The Schools SA20 has not only provided a platform for young cricketers to showcase their skills but has also played a significant role in elevating school-level cricket in South Africa. The presence of national U19 players and the live television coverage further emphasize the tournament’s importance in shaping the future stars of South African cricket.

What to Expect in the Finals

With high stakes, immense talent, and national recognition on the line, both finals promise to be thrilling encounters. Bishops will rely on their batting firepower, while St David’s will look to their bowlers to create early breakthroughs. In the girls’ final, Saints Christian will aim to maintain their unbeaten streak, while Steyn City will be determined to deliver a strong comeback performance.

Cricket enthusiasts can follow all the action live on SuperSport, ensuring that the excitement of the Schools SA20 reaches a wide audience.

As the Schools SA20 crowns its inaugural champions, the tournament sets the stage for a new era of school-level cricket in South Africa. The future stars are ready to shine, and the journey to greatness begins here.