STEYN CITY SCHOOL POWER PAST LIGBRON TO CLAIM NATIONAL FINALS PLACE

Steyn City School have won the Schools SA20 Phase 2 decider between Central Gauteng Lions and Mpumalanga’s best girls teams.

In their once-off decider, played at Wits University’s Walter Milton Oval on Saturday morning, Ligbron Academy of Technology batted first.

They lost their first wicket in the third over, and then at regular intervals after that before being bowled out for 43 after 14.3 overs. None of Ligbron’s batter managed double figures, as opener Ntando Sithole top-scored with just 7off 15 balls. In fact, the Mpumalanga champs were pegged back so severely by Steyn City’s bowlers and fielders that they managed no boundaries and saw four batters run out.

Opening bowler, Samia Essop (2/4) produced the best figures for Steyn City, with first-change Tyla-Jade Harpur (2/7) not far behind.

Steyn City’s batters then made relatively short work of their chase as openers Sivaakani Naidoo and Tyler Piehl reached 25 off 4.2 overs before Naidoo (9 off 17) was bowled by Christelle van Wyk. Piehl (13 not out off 20 balls, 1x4) and Caitlyn Freeman (14 not out off 14 balls, 1x4) then got the job down in the 8th over, sealing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory.

Steyn City are due to be strengthened at the National Finals in March by national Under-19 players, Diara Ramlakan and Karabo Meso, who have helped the Junior Proteas to reach the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup Final in Malaysia on Sunday (2 February).

GAUTENG SOUTH GIRLS FINAL MATCH SUMMARY

Saturday, 1 February 2025 | Walter Milton Oval – Wits University

Ligbron 43 all out – 14.3 overs (Ntando Sithole 7; Samia Essop 2/4, Tyla-Jade Harpur 2/7)

Steyn City 44/1 – 7.5 overs (Caitlyn Freeman 14*; Christelle van Wyk 1/6)

Steyn City win by 9 wickets and progress to Schools SA20 National Finals