Match Reports
Affies retain Titans crown in rain Schools SA20 as Garsfontein survive last-ball thriller
For the third year running, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) and Hoërskool Garsfontein will be the Titans’ boys representatives in Phase 2 of rain Schools SA20.
After an intriguing finals day at Cornwall Hill College on Friday, 30 October 2026, Affies won the provincial title for the second year in a row.
In the first semifinal, Affies ended the hopes of hosts Cornwall Hill with a 20-run win. Batting first at Van der Byl Field, the ‘Witkolwe’ posted 133/8. Tristan Blunden, batting at number three in only his second 1st XI appearance, anchored the innings with 63 off 45 balls, and captain Zian Labuschagne added a brisk 21 off 16. Hari Konduru (3/23) was the pick of the Cornwall Hill bowlers.
In reply, Cornwall Hill slipped to 24/2 after a Labuschagne double-strike. Captain Zander Davel made 35 off 30, but Dawie Barnard (3/20) ripped the heart out of the chase. Labuschagne finished with 3/18 as Cornwall Hill were held to 113/7.
Zander Davel, may have lead Cornwall Hill College to a rain SA20 Derby Series victory over Midstream College but couldn't repeat the trick in rain Schools SA20 against Affies.
Down at Parke de Terrace, Garsfontein and Pretoria Boys’ High School produced a thriller. Duke Seboko (3/15) led the Pretoria Boys attack as the ‘Ysbere’ collapsed to 46/7. Katlego Lebelo (21 off 16) and Rowan Plaatjies (14 not out) then dragged them to 109/9.
Pretoria Boys slumped to 40/6 themselves, but Seboko’s unbeaten 39 off 37 took them to the brink. Needing three off the final ball, they couldn’t find the boundary, and Wian Smit was run out going for the tying run. That gave Garsfontein a one-run victory. Arrie Verster (2/22) and Ruan Cuyler (2/15) led an economical Garsies attack.
With Phase 2 places secured for both sides, the shackles were off in the final. Openers AJ Morkel and Ethan Williams (28 off 22) gave Affies a solid start before they slipped to 78/4. Labuschagne again led from the front with 41 off 27. An unbroken ninth-wicket stand between Paul Bester (15*) and Nico Loggenberg (12*) lifted Affies to 152/8. JJ Thom (2/16) and Alex Potgieter (2/20) were the best of the Garsies bowlers.
Garsfontein started steadily through Cuyler (23) and Joshua de Villiers (16) but lost three quick wickets, which left Verster and Potgieter to rebuild. Boundaries were scarce on the big Van der Byl outfield, and Labuschagne (2/12), Loggenberg (2/18) and Bester (1/19) all bowled tightly. Verster fell for a patient 36 off 41. Potgieter’s unbeaten 37 off 31 could only take Garsies to 120/5, so Affies won by 32 runs and took back-to-back provincial honours.
Garsfontein may not have won the Titans title, but their runner-up place secures them a place in rain Schools SA20 Phase 2
