NKOWANKOWA HUB WIN DRAMATIC BOWL-OUT AGAINST DR EG JANSEN TO RETAIN NORTHERN REGION PHASE 2 CROWN

Nkowankowa Hub held their nerve in extraordinary circumstances to defeat hosts Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen in a rain-hit Switch Schools SA20 Phase 2 Northern Region Final at Benoni Northern Cricket Club, with the match ultimately decided by a bowl-out.

The Northern Region phase featured three competitive teams: tournament hosts Easterns were represented by their Phase 1 winners Dr. E.G. Jansen, Limpopo champions Nkowankowa Hub, and Titans winners Hoërskool Zwartkop. With the winner earning qualification for the national finals at the University of Pretoria from 4–7 March 2026, the stakes could not have been higher.

Both finalists had already stamped their authority in the group stage by beating Zwartkop. Earlier on finals day, Nkowankowa also produced a dominant performance against Dr. E.G. Jansen, beating the Easterns side by 63 runs in their group clash – a result that suggested the Limpopo team had the edge going into the decider.

But the final itself turned into a tense battle against both the opposition and the weather.

Dr. E.G. Jansen batted first and reached 88/5 in 19.4 overs before inclement weather forced play to be abandoned. Bruzaan Goosen played the key innings, top-scoring with a composed 33 not out from 27 balls (5x4), while Tenique Williams provided valuable momentum with 20 off 18 deliveries (3x4). Opener Nicia Swart contributed 12 off 29 as the hosts looked to build a defendable total despite regular wickets.

Nkowankowa’s bowling unit kept things tight throughout. Junghelo Malungana returned figures of 1/17 from four overs, while Tshepiso Motswi claimed 1/17 from 3.4 overs. Nsovo Nkuna was particularly economical, taking 1/8 from three overs and applying pressure through the middle phase.

Unfortunately, the rain and lightning arrived at the worst possible time. With Nkowankowa unable to face a ball in reply, the match could not be decided by traditional means, and tournament officials were forced to resort to a bowl-out in the indoor nets at Rowlin National Cricket Academy in Boksburg to determine the champions.

In a moment that demanded composure, Nkowankowa delivered under pressure and won the bowl-out, sparking celebrations from the Limpopo camp.

The victory sees Nkowankowa Hub return to the national stage once again. After winning this Northern Region leg in 2025 to reach the national finals, they have now repeated the feat in 2026 – this time in one of the most dramatic finishes the competition has seen.

MATCH SUMMARY

Switch Schools SA20 Volume 2 Northern Region Girls Final

Saturday, 24 January 2026 at Benoni Northern Cricket Club / Rowlin National Cricket Academy, Boksburg

Dr EG Jansen 88/5 - 19.4 overs (Bruzaan Goosen 33*; Nsovo Nkuna 1/8)

Nkowankowa did not bat

Match abandoned due to inclement weather. Nkowankowa won the bowl-out 1-0 to secure progression to Switch Schools SA20 Volume 2 Finals. [View the full scorecard.]