SCHOOLS SA20 PHASE 1 AS IT UNFOLDED...

Phase 1 of Schools SA20 is now complete across 15 of the 16 competing regions, with the boys and girls producing some exciting cricket and a incredible individual performances.

When the competition recommences in the new year, the 16 provinces will be grouped into six regions from which the six teams (whether schools or hubs) will emerge for the National Finals in March 2025.

Here is the state of play across the country:

BOLAND

Boys: On Saturday, 9 November near-neighbours Paarl Gimnasium and Hoër Jongenskool Paarl faced each other in the Final at Gimmies. In a closely-contest affair it was 'Boishaai' who emerged victorious by 9 runs, but both teams will be in action in Phase 2.

Girls: The girls of Paarl Hub met Hoër Tegniese Skool Drostdy from Worcester in the earlier match on 9 November and it was the Drostdy who claimed the honours - and the lone place in Phase 2 - with a comfortable 9-wicket win.

BORDER

Boys: On 10 October, Selborne College beat Queen’s College Boys’ High School by 111 runs in the Final. Both teams advance to Phase 2. - READ THE MATCH SUMMARY

Girls: On 1 November, Stirling High School beat Middledrift Hub by 8 wickets in the Final at Stirling to advance to Phase 2.

CENTRAL GAUTENG LIONS

Boys: On Friday, 1 November St David’s Marist Inanda and Hoërskool Noordheuwel met in the Final at Wits University's Walter Milton Oval. While both teams advanced to Phase 2, Noordheuwel claimed the CGL bragging rights by holding their nerve for a 4-wicket victory in the final over.

Girls: On Friday, 4 October Steyn City School beat Queens High School by 2 runs in the Final at Wanders Stadium, Johannesburg – securing their place in Phase 2. The match served as a highly-entertaining curtain-raiser to the Lions-Warriors domestic T20 Challenge fixture.

EASTERN PROVINCE

Boys: Grey High School and Pearson High School claimed their places in Phase 2 with semifinal wins during two days of playoffs at their respective schools of 8-9 November.

Girls: Earlier, on 8 October, Pearson's girls beat hosts Hoërskool Framesby by 78 runs in their Final to advance to Phase 2. - READ THE MATCH SUMMARY

EASTERNS

Boys: On 18 October, Hoërskool Kempton Park beat St Benedict's College by 29 runs in the Final at Benoni Northerns Sports Club. Both teams advance to Phase 2. - READ THE MATCH SUMMARY

Girls: On 24 October, Kwa-Thema Hub beat Hoërskool Marais Viljoen by 44 runs in the Final at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. Kwa-Thema Hub advance to Phase 2.

FREE STATE

Boys: On 27 October, St Andrew's School (who hosted the finals weekend) beat Grey College by 5 wickets in the Final. Both teams advance to Phase 2.

Girls: On 27 October, Botshabelo Hub beat Hoërskool Witteberg by 9 wickets in the Final at St Andrew’s School to advance to Phase 2.

KEI

Boys: On 28 September, Mqanduli Village Junior Secondary School beat Jumba Senior Secondary School in the Final at Khaya Majola Oval in Mthatha. Both teams advance to Phase 2.

Girls: On 29 September, Nomandi Junior Secondary School beat Jumba Senior Secondary School by one run in the Final at Khaya Majola Oval in Mthatha. Nomandi advance to Phase 2.

KWAZULU-NATAL COASTAL

Boys: On Saturday, 16 November, Northwood School and Glenwood High School met in the Final at Ashton International College Ballito. Northwood emerged on top, winning by 8 wickets, but both teams advance to Phase 2.

Girls: On 26 October, Dr JL Dube High School beat the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Invitational side by 14 runs in the Final at Chatsworth Oval. Dr JL Dube advance to Phase 2.

KWAZULU-NATAL INLAND

Boys: On Friday, 1 November, after two days of playoffs at Hilton College, the hosts emerged as KZN Inland winners with a 14-run victory over Maritzburg College. Both finalists will advance to Phase 2 where they will compete against KZN Coastal's qualifiers.

Girls: On 29 November, Imbali Hub and Bonginhlanhla High School met in the Final at Howick High School and it was Bonginhlanhla, with a 36-run victory, who were the last team to secure their place in Phase 2.

LIMPOPO

Boys: Saturday, 9 November Hoërskool Merensky beat Phalaborwa Hub by 45 runs in the Final at Stanford Lake College. Both finalists advance to Phase 2.

Girls: On 23 November, Nkowankowa Hub sealed their place in Phase 2 in unique circumstances. Early in the day, they beat Mohodi Hub in the semifinal at Stanford Lake before meeting Phalaborwa Hub in the final. Nkowankowa had Phalaborwa on the ropes, on 41-8 after 17.5 overs before the rain arrived and never left. As a result, Nkowankowa progressed by virtue of having beaten Phalaborwa in their earlier clash in the competition. - WATCH THE MATCH HERE

MPUMALANGA

Boys: On Saturday, 23 November Middelburg Hoërskool beat Hoërskool Secunda by 17 runs in the Final at Secunda. Both finalists advance to Phase 2. - WATCH THE MATCH HERE

Girls: On 31 October, Ligbron Academy of Technology beat Middelburg Hoërskool by 9 wickets in the Final at 'Middies'. Ligbron advance to Phase 2.

NORTHERN CAPE

At the conclusion of two days of playoffs in Kimberley (12-13 January 2025) Hoërskool Kalahari from Kuruman and Hoërskool Upington sealed their place among the 30 boys qualifiers and Kuruman Hub became the 16th and final girls team through to Phase 2.

NORTH WEST

Boys: On 22 September, Hoërskool Rustenburg beat Potchefstroom Gimnasium by 23 runs in the Final at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom. Both teams advance to Phase 2.

Girls: Earlier on 22 September, also at JB Marks Oval, Saints Christian School beat Matlosana Hub by 66 runs in the Final. Saints advance to Phase 2.

SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS

Boys: On Tuesday, 5 November, Bridgton RPC beat D'Almeida Hub by 60 runs in the Final at Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn. Both teams advance to Phase 2.

Girls: On 30 October, Bridgton Hub beat Thembalethu Hub by 9 wickets in the Final at Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn. Bridgton Hub advance to Phase 2.

TITANS

Boys: Hoërskool Garsfontein and Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) have both secured their place in Phase 2 courtesy of their semifinal victories on Wednesday, 30 October. The Final between them, however, is only scheduled for the new year just before Phase 2 takes place.

Girls: On 29 October, Soshanguve Hub beat Hoërskool Zwartkop by 10 wickets in the Final at Soshanguve Oval. Soshanguve Hub advance to Phase 2.

WESTERN PROVINCE

Boys: On Saturday, 9 November, SACS High School beat Finals Day hosts Bishops Diocesan College by 45 runs in the Final. Both finalists advance to Phase 2, having beaten their great rivals Wynberg and Rondebosch respectively in the semifinals earlier in the day.

Girls: On Friday, 8 November, Victoria Hub beat Gugulethu Hub by 7 wickets in the Final at Vineyard Oval in Newlands. Only Victoria Hub advance to Phase 2.