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SWITCH SCHOOLS SA20 PHASE 2 BEGINS: 6 REGIONAL SHOWDOWNS TO SAVOUR

15 Jan 20264 mins

From 15 January 2026, Switch Schools SA20 enters its crucial second phase as 48 of South Africa’s top-performing boys and girls school and hub teams clash across six regional tournaments.

With national finals qualification at stake, Phase 2 promises to be a thrilling mix of established powers and rising challengers.

Gauteng/Mpumalanga: Old Guard vs New Blood

(15–16 January, St David’s Marist Inanda - Sandton)

The Gauteng/Mpumalanga regionals are loaded with intrigue. While Middelburg Hoërskool’s boys return to Phase 2 after their Volume 1 appearance at this stage, favourites King Edward VII School (KES) and Jeppe High School for Boys stand in their way and Hoërskool Nelspruit will also be eyeing an upset.

The girls’ leg is a straight shootout between Middelburg Hoërskool and Queens High School (Friday, 16 January, 09:30 - La Valla Oval), with the latter looking to build on their strong Volume 1 showing.

KwaZulu-Natal: Coastal vs Inland Rivalry

(15–16 January, Pietermaritzburg)

This provincial merger pits inland powerhouses St Charles College and Hilton College against coastal sides Northwood School and Westville Boys' High School. All eyes will be on defending regional champions Northwood and whether Hilton can avenge last year’s final loss.

In the girls’ final, Chatsworth Hub, who eased to the Coastal honours, face locals Sweetwaters Hub in a must-watch clash (Friday, 16 January, 09:00 - City Oval).

Eastern Cape (Border, Eastern Province, Kei): Border Battles in East London

(16–18 January, East London)

Hosted across East London, this regional boasts an impressive field. Selborne College seek home advantage, while St Andrew's College and Grey High School look like strong contenders.

On the girls' side, Nomandi Junior Secondary School - who famously beat Steyn City in Volume 1 - return alongside their newly qualified boys’ team, signalling a school on the rise.

Central Region (Free State, Northern Cape, North West): Potch’s Proving Ground

(16–18 January, Potchefstroom)

Both St Andrew’s School (Bloemfontein) and Saints Christian School are back to defend their Central titles. However, the storyline belongs to St Patrick’s CBC who, for the first time, bring both their boys and girls teams to Phase 2. With local knowledge, Potchefstroom Gimnasium could be a dark horse on home soil.

Northern Region (Easterns/Titans/Limpopo): Fierce Group Battles in Benoni

(23–25 January, Benoni)

A four-venue battle awaits. Will the fierce Affies-Garsfontein rivalry continue? Or will Hoërskool Hans Moore, playing all matches on their own field, spring a surprise?

The girls’ division is equally intense: Nkowankowa Hub are back, but face stiff competition from Titans winners Hoërskool Zwartkop and Easterns locals Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen.

Western Cape (Boland/South Western Districts/Western Province): Showdowns in the Boland

(23–25 January, Stellenbosch/Somerset West)

Can Bishops Diocesan College hold off Paarl Boys' High School, Paarl Gimnasium, and Wynberg Boys' High School (again) to retain regional supremacy?

Meanwhile, in the girls’ competition, HTS Drostdy, Bridgton Hub, and the impressive Hoërskool Stellenberg will vie for a place at Nationals (set again for University of Pretoria from 3-7 March 2026). Bridgton’s boys and girls teams return to Phase 2 for a second consecutive year, a rare double feat.