Kalahari High and St Patrick’s CBC crowned NC Schools SA20 Phase 1 champions

The spirit of school cricket was alive and thriving in Kimberley this past weekend as the Northern Cape hosted the Switch Schools XX SA20 cricket play-offs, the regional leg of South Africa’s foremost school cricket competition.

The Schools SA20, a proud partnership between Schools SA20 and Cricket South Africa (CSA), marks the relaunch and rebrand of the long-running Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge. The competition remains the most prestigious national schools cricket tournament in the country, one that every Under-19 school team aspires to enter and excel in.

The Northern Cape’s Phase 1 play-offs took place on Friday and Saturday, 24 and 25 October 2025, bringing together the top-performing under-19 boys’ and girls’ teams from across the province. Six schools battled it out in the boys division: St Patrick’s CBC, De Aar High, Kalahari High, Diamantveld High, Upington High and Prieska High, while four teams competed in the girls division: Kathu High, HC Rose Hub, St Patrick’s CBC and Kalahari High.

The competition was fierce, with each team displaying outstanding skill, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the weekend.

In the boys' division, Kalahari High emerged as champions after defeating Diamantveld High in a thrilling final. Both schools secured their places in the next round of the competition, where they will represent the Northern Cape in Phase 2 of the Switch Schools XX SA20. They will compete against the top schools from the Free State and North West in Potchefstroom from 16 to 18 January 2026.

In the girls' division, St Patrick’s CBC once again showcased the depth of cricketing talent in Kimberley. The team put in an exceptional performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a nail-biting final against Kathu High. After a determined effort, St Patrick’s CBC emerged victorious, claiming the title of Northern Cape's Phase 1 Champions of the Switch Schools XX SA20.

This victory is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players, coaches and support staff, and it represents an important milestone for girls cricket at the school.

St Patrick’s CBC will also head to Potchefstroom in January to take on the best of the Free State and North West in the next phase of the competition.

Congratulations were expressed to all participating schools for their commitment to excellence and for flying the flag of Northern Cape schools cricket high. As the provincial champions prepare for the next leg of their journey, the region can take pride in the talent and sportsmanship displayed during this year’s Schools SA20 play-offs.