rain SA20 Derby Series to add next chapter of century-long Queen’s-Dale match-up

The countdown is well underway to match 2 of the rain SA20 Derby Series, which will see Queen’s College welcome Dale College to Komani on Friday, 9 October 2026.

Considering the century-long match-up between the two proud schools and their status in the Border region, it’s almost odd that two editions of rain Schools SA20 has yet to yield a head-to-head between the two. Queen's progressed through to Phase 2 in Volume 1 while Dale fell away earlier, and in Volume 2 both were eliminated without their paths crossing.

As such, this rain SA20 Derby Series fixture gives the Komani and Qonce communities a clash worth being excited for and reminiscing about.

WATCH: Queen’s vs Dale live on DStv Channel 216, the Schools SA20 YouTube Channel and SuperSport Schools App on Friday, 9 October from 14:00.

It will be played at a fitting ground in Parry Davies Field, with the Stormberg mountain range as its picturesque backdrop. Alongside the oval sits the Cullinan Pavilion - named for two of the school's own, Daryll Cullinan, the elegant former Proteas No. 4 who scored 14 Test centuries and a famous 275 not out against New Zealand, and his older brother Ralph, the school's current and long-serving Director of Cricket.

Founded in 1858, Queen's College styles itself the oldest school in the Border region, and its cricket pedigree runs through the England-capped Greigs (Tony and Ian), through Ken McEwan, the Cullinans and Justin Kemp to this day.

Meanwhile, an honorary Queenian will be an eager viewer on 9 Octobe. Mangaliso Mosehle, capped seven times for the Proteas in T20 internationals, ended a three-year stint as Queen's cricket professional in July with graduation to the pro ranks as fielding coach at the Dolphins.

"I remember when I first arrived at Queen's in 2023 I learnt about the history between the two schools ... it's always an exciting time when you play against Dale. It will be a tough game, but the boys have shown a lot of character and lot of grit in recent years and they play well together as a team - I really enjoyed working with them," Mosehle told SA20 Media last month.

"Thank you to SA20 for such a great initiative, it's always great to give the kids exposure... I know they are going to be hyped up but my message to them, like always, would be to do the things that don't require talent and fight to the end."

DID YOU KNOW? Parry Davies Field is named for Archibald Parry Davies, who was Queen's headmaster from 1930 to 1940.

Dale College, founded three years later in 1861, has its own case to make - not least with alumni like Hylton Ackerman, Makhaya Ntini, Malibongwe Maketa and Monde Zondeki. Then there's one of their most talked-about recent cricketing stars who now wears green and gold in a different sport: Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi was a star batter and useful medium-fast bowler who scored three centuries in his final year and represented Border at age-group level, including the 2016 Khaya Majola Week.

"The history between the two schools goes way back, across all sporting codes and in terms of cricket it's massive," says Andrew Senekal, Dale's sports administrator and an old boy himself. "This opportunity will give the players a chance to be seen when they haven't previously and we have a very young side coming through so it's something for the guys to aspire to and build their future. Queen's vs Dale is always one of the best fixtures... it's going to be an awesome experience and we hope the boys give it their all."

That's the shape of this SA20 Derby Series fixture: two of the Eastern Cape's oldest schools, a ground named for cricketing royalty, and a Springbok who might have gone either way with bat or ball. After two Volumes of just missing each other, Queen's and Dale finally get their moment under the Stormberg.