Can anyone break the Rustenburg-Potch Gim dominance in North West boys division?

Schools SA20's North West boys competition returns for Volume 3 on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, and the story so far has been a two-horse race.

Hoërskool Rustenburg (RHS) claimed the province's Volume 1 title, before Potchefstroom Gimnasium - alma mater of Proteas allrounder Marco Jansen and his brother Duan - turned the tables to win Volume 2. As it happens, Volume 3's draw has set up the possibility of a third instalment of their rivalry.

The two heavyweights have been kept apart in the pool stage, with Rusties drawn in Pool 1 and Gimmies in Pool 2, meaning the only way they can meet this season is in the provincial final on 23 September - assuming both navigate their way there first.

RHS open Pool 1 against Lichtenburg Hub, with Hoërskool Hartbeespoort vs Hoërskool Lichtenburg and Hoërskool Brits vs Bergsig Akademie the other Round 1 fixtures on 2 September, followed by Fields College vs Impala Hub completing the pool. Gimmies begin Pool 2 against Hoërskool Wesvalia, alongside Hoërskool Schoonspruit vs Hoërskool Wolmaransstad, Hoërskool Klerksdorp vs Hoërskool Vryburg and Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom vs Hoërskool Ferdinand Postma. Both pools progress through semifinals on 9 September and pool finals on 16 September, before the provincial decider on 23 September.

The chasing pack is not short of quality. Hoërskool Wolmaransstad, Hoërskool Lichtenburg, Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom (Potch Volkies) and Hoërskool Klerksdorp have all made the last four in recent seasons, proving they have the depth to trouble the province's best. What none of them have yet managed is going all the way - RHS and Gimmies have simply been a class apart when it has mattered most.

That is the question Volume 3 now poses: will one of North West's chasing schools finally find a way past the province's two dominant forces, or will Rusties-Gimmies Part 3 play out in the provincial final? Either way, the road to 23 September promises to be the most closely watched in North West schools cricket this season.

ALL THE NORTH WEST VOLUME 3 BOYS FIXTURES

Pool 1

Wednesday, 2 September 2026: Hoërskool Hartbeespoort vs Hoërskool Lichtenburg, Hoërskool Brits vs Bergsig Akademie, Fields College vs Impala Hub, Rustenburg Hoërskool vs Lichtenburg Hub (Round 1)

Wednesday, 9 September 2026: Hoërskool Hartbeespoort/Hoërskool Lichtenburg vs Hoërskool Brits/Bergsig Akademie, Fields College/Impala Hub vs Rustenburg Hoërskool/Lichtenburg Hub (Pool semifinals)

Wednesday, 16 September 2026: Pool 1 Final

Pool 2

Wednesday, 2 September 2026: Hoërskool Wesvalia vs Potchefstroom Gimnasium, Hoërskool Schoonspruit vs Hoërskool Wolmaransstad, Hoërskool Klerksdorp vs Hoërskool Vryburg, Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom vs Hoërskool Ferdinand Postma (Round 1)

Wednesday, 9 September 2026: Hoërskool Wesvalia/Potchefstroom Gimnasium vs Hoërskool Schoonspruit/Hoërskool Wolmaransstad, Hoërskool Klerksdorp/Hoërskool Vryburg vs Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom/Hoërskool Ferdinand Postma (Pool semifinals)

Wednesday, 16 September 2026: Pool 2 Final

Provincial Final

Wednesday, 23 September 2026: Winner Pool 1 vs Winner Pool 2

Select matches to be live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools App. Stay tuned to Schools SA20 social channels for further details.