BUMPER WEEKEND IN GAUTENG TO CONCLUDE SCHOOLS SA20 PHASE 2

The final weekend of Schools SA20 Phase 2 has arrived and four more winners are set to be crowned to complete the National Finals line-up.

In Johannesburg, at Wits University, Central Gauteng Lions and Mpumalanga's best will face off against each other with all the pressure on the locals.

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More so, Hoërskool Noordheuwel and St David's Marist Inanda who played their Phase 1 semis and final (which Nories won in a tight contest) on the institution's Walter Milton ovals so will know what to expect from conditions.

What they will need to respect, though, is that Hoërskool Secunda and Middelburg Hoërskool will be desperate to upset the 'Big City' boys. Secunda beat ‘Middies’ in both the Mpumalanga Phase 1 group stage and final to mark themselves out as the more likely threat to the Johanneburg teams’ further progression.

The boys can build some momentum over the two days, via three round robin matches each before top two play the final on Saturday, 1 February (14:00, Walter Milton Oval, live on DStv Channel 216 and SuperSport Schools App),

Meanwhile, Steyn City School and Ligbron Academy of Technology will need to have their eye-in from the beginning of their once-off decider on Saturday, 1 February (9:30, Walter Milton Oval, live on DStv Channel 216 and SuperSport Schools App). Steyn City eased their way to the CGL title, with the likes of Diara Ramlakan and Karabo Meso starring. However, the pair are in Malaysia at the Women’s U19 T20 World Cup which should give Ligbron a lift even if Steyn City can still call on Jenna-Lee Lubbe who was chosen as a non-travelling reserve.

At the same time, Willowmoore Park in Benoni will be a hive of activity as the best from hosts Easterns, Limpopo and Titans converge on it.

In the girls’ division it will be a 'battle of the hubs' with those from Kwa-Thema (Easterns), Nkowankowa (Limpopo) and Soshanguve (Limpopo) fighting it out for a place in the National Finals.

Kwa-Thema, who played their Easterns semi and final at this weekend’s venue will bank on familiarity and the confidence they got from cruising through Phase 1. Similarly, Soshanguve beat more fancied teams on their way to winning the Titans title. Nkowankowa, on the other hand, had their final rained out and progressed by virtue of having beaten Phalaborwa Hub in an earlier match… fine margins but will make them aware that each of the group matches this weekend will be crucial before the top two play in the final on Saturday, 1 February (14:00, Willowmoore Park Stadium, live on DStv Channel 216 and SuperSport Schools App).

The boys final will determine the last qualifier for the National Finals, being as it is the only match on Sunday, 2 February (09:30, Willowmoore Park Stadium, live on DStv Channel 216 and SuperSport Schools App).

The six teams looking to claim that spot are: Hoërskool Kempton Park and St Benedict’s College (Easterns), Merensky Landbou Akademie and Phalaborwa Hub (Limpopo) and Hoërskool Garsfontein and Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Titans).

Over the course of three days, three round robin matches each and two semifinals undoubtedly the best two teams will emerge; no matter how confident the more fancied Garsies and Affies are or familiar with the conditions Kempies or St Benedict’s might be (even if they’re not Benoni-based schools).