After a long wait, the 2024 Khaya Majola Week delivered its first century in what has largely been a bowler-dominated event.
The Gauteng Lions finally hit their stride, demolishing KZN Coastal (Dolphins) with a clinical performance, highlighted by St Stithians’ run machine, Pranav Raichetti, scoring an unbeaten 106 against a lacklustre Dolphins attack.
Earlier, the Dolphins had posted a challenging total, with captain Ross Coetzee compiling a patient half-century (63) to help set the Lions a target of 219 runs for victory. However, when St David’s Jason Rowles and Raichetti joined forces at the crease, there seemed little to stop the Lions. Rowles eventually fell for 75, but their 147-run partnership laid the foundation for Gauteng’s first win of the week. Surprisingly, this victory also sees them progressing to the final – a curious reward for just one win.
Western Province, the other finalist, maintained their unbeaten record with a comfortable 5-wicket victory over Boland. SA U19 and Rondebosch all-rounder Raeeq Davids was devastating with the ball, dismantling Boland’s top order and returning figures of 5/25. With seven Boland batters failing to reach double figures, their total was never likely to trouble WP. Despite a minor middle-order wobble, WP crossed the line in the 26th over, securing their place in the final against the Central Gauteng Lions.
The Titans also enjoyed a dominant performance against Free State, who have been somewhat disappointing during this Khaya Majola Week. Waterkloof’s power-hitter, Wian Ruthven, was at his swashbuckling best, hammering a fine half-century to set up a commanding total. Free State offered little resistance to the Titans’ bowling attack. Despite some resilience from Christian Kind, wickets tumbled regularly, with Garsfontein’s Nayleo Sanna (3/32) ensuring Free State’s progress was stifled.
It has been an unusual Khaya Majola Week, with few standout individual performances – a challenge for selectors assembling the SA Schools teams. With just one century and three five-wicket hauls recorded, selectors may need to weigh reputation against current form when making their final decisions.
Day Three Results:
Boland 104 (Christian Wege 32; Raeeq Daniels 5/25, Timothy Short 2/23); Western Province 106/5 (Kashief Jospeh 45, Adnaan Lagadien 24; Taywin Adams 2/25, Callum Appollis 2/47). Western Province won by five wickets.
Dolphins 218/8 (Ross Coetzee 63, Max Robertson 29, Ntando Soni 25; Cole Francis 3/26, Jason Rowles 2/36, Corné Botha 2/59); Central Gauteng Lions 219/2 (Pranav Raichetti 106*, Jason Rowles 75; Armaan Manack 23; Shahzaad Perumal 1/23). Central Gauteng Lions won by eight wickets.
Titans 211/5 (Wian Ruthven 52, Divan de Villiers 48*, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka 43, Steve Stolk 27; Free State 111 (Christian Kind 42; Nayleo Sanna 3/32, Mohammed Borobat 2/11, Sahil Ahmad 2/13). Titans won by 100 runs.
Tuskers 79 (Extras 19; Cayden Wilson 4/15, Jadwyn Cona 3/25), Eastern Province 67 (Cayden Wilson 18; Chad Mason 5/35, Marcel Wellmann 3/8). Tuskers won by 12 runs.
CSA Invitational XI 146 (Vihan Pretorius 31, Zuko Pontshi 24, Enathi Kitshini 3/20, Trent Huisamen 2/15, Stefan May 2/40); Garden Route Badgers 150/5 (Camron Avontuur 76, Enathi Kitshini 28, Adam Cannata 2/32). Garden Route Badgers won by five wickets.
North West 109 (Tumelo Makume 36; Sabelo Mabanga 3/16, Parth Patel 3/19, Tshegofatso Nthara 3/25); Easterns 87 (Sabelo Mabanga 37; Marneau Dreyer 3/10, Barend de Klerk 2/28, Tumelo Makume 2/16). North West won by 22 runs.
Northern Cape 163 (Junaid Jacobs 49, Sibonelo Skhosana 3/23, Alonzo Blakenberg 2/22); Mpumalanga 122 (Extras 20; Nathan Baird 4/38, Simon Liversage 2/23). Northern Cape won by 41 runs
Eastern Cape linyathi 102 (Tré Gilbert 28; Nicolas Oerlemans 3/28, Morema Kamogelo 2/4, Mahlodi Sekuba 2/31); Limpopo Impalas 103/5 (Enock Marima 41*, Nicolas Oerlemans 29; Lithemba Nomoyi 3/24). Limpopo Impalas won by five wickets.