T20 Cricket Festival – visiting teams declare their readiness
THE DIAMANTVELD High School Cricket Festival is set to bring together 18 schools from across the country for what promises to be a spectacle of top-tier cricket.
Hoërskool Diamantveld cricket captain Luhan De la Rey, spoke to the DFA and expressed confidence in his team’s preparation ahead of the upcoming T20 tournament, and said the hosts’ focus will be on power hitting.
“As a team, we’ve worked hard to cover all aspects of our game, but we’ve particularly focused on power hitting,” De la Rey said. “In modern T20 cricket, high run totals are chased down with ease, so it’s crucial to be ready for that challenge.”
However, the other teams in the competition are also bringing something to the party, which will make this tournament a humdinger.
Danie van der Lith briefly sums up what the teams said. Click on the teams’ names to see a more in-depth write-up.
Captain Xander Venter and his Hoërskool Garsfontein team will be using the Diamantveld T20 Cricket Festival to prepare for upcoming tournaments. Venter emphasized the team's mantra, "Cool in the head, Fire in the heart," which helps them stay calm under pressure while playing with passion and intensity.
Hans Moore High School, led by captain Warren Minnaar, is making the long journey from Benoni with high hopes. Coach Werner Swart is confident that his team will be competitive, with a focus on all-round cricket and a few standout performances expected.
Grey College captain Ruben Maree and coach Adri Swanepoel believe their rigorous preparation will pay off. Maree highlighted the importance of understanding game situations and running between the wickets, while Swanepoel pointed to their improved strategy against spin bowling as a potential key to success.
Despite weather challenges, captain Ruvan Barnard and coach Armand Swart are confident in HTS Drostdy’s progress. Barnard shared how extra net sessions helped them prepare, while Swart emphasized their goal to play an exciting brand of cricket and adapt quickly to tournament conditions.
Kalahari High School (Kuruman)
Kalahari captain Malan Lubbe is optimistic despite the tough competition in their pool. Coach Maritz Lubbe believes the team is well-prepared thanks to match experience gained during a July tournament. Disciplined bowling will be crucial to their strategy.
Oakdale captain Adriaan van der Merwe expressed confidence in his team’s preparation, while coaches Andre Bester and Tjaart Naude are focused on the long-term development of the school’s cricket program. The festival presents an opportunity to enhance cricket at Oakdale and develop a strong team culture.
Nelspruit High’s senior cricket coach Johan Rudolph believes his team’s balance is right for the tournament. Rudolph emphasized the importance of fielding, with the team focusing on key drills to ensure they perform at a high standard.
Despite weather disruptions, captain Sevi Barlow is confident in Parel Vallei’s preparation. Coach Jan Rademan sees the tournament as both a competitive platform and a milestone for the school’s cricket program, providing growth opportunities and recognition for the players.
Outeniqua High School (George)
Captain Joof Enslin and coach Mark Andrianatos have focused on fitness and skill development during the off-season. Andrianatos highlighted their winter training program, designed to ensure the team can sustain high performance across multiple games during the tournament.
Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch)
Paul Roos captain Matthew Seymore stressed the importance of teamwork and fielding, while the team has worked on specific game scenarios to improve their performance. Fielding positions and teamwork have been central to their preparations.
Captain Luqmaan Gool and coach Roy Adams have focused on explosive starts and variations in bowling to keep opposing teams off-balance. Adams sees the tournament as part of a broader commitment to developing well-rounded players with discipline and sportsmanship.
Coach Corné van Aswegen emphasized the value of the tournament for developing young talent and building school spirit. He sees it as an opportunity for exposure, recognition, and the strengthening of Paarl Boys High’s cricket culture.
Captain Kyle van Santen is confident in Stellenberg’s strong bowling attack, while coach Michael Thomas views the tournament as vital exposure for cricket at the school. Thomas hopes the festival will inspire younger players and build interest in the sport, which is often overshadowed by rugby.
