SuperSport Schools Plus | Merensky waits to see who they’ll face in the Limpopo Schools SA20 Final

Merensky Landbou Akademie‘s first XI will be holding their breath to see who they’ll face in the final of the Limpopo Schools SA20 on Saturday.

Relive all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

In the final, Merensky will face either their arch-rivals and neighbours from across the Tzaneen Dam, Hoërskool Ben Vorster, or Phalaborwa Hub for the title. Those sides meet in a semi-final showdown on Saturday morning.

The Plasies booked their place in the title decider by comfortably defeating Mohodi Boys Hub by 47 runs on 2 November.

Playing at the prestigious Stanford Lake College, after the teams chose to meet one other halfway, the Plasies opted to bat first, and their opening batsmen, James Durant and Bernard Wandrag, started well, combining for a 57-run partnership, to which they both contributed 21 runs.

This laid the platform for the attacking duo of all-rounder, Rinaldo Bornman, and wicket-keeper/batsman, JP Botha, to do what they do best. Botha led the Merensky charge, smashing three sixes and three fours on the big Stanford Field, in his innings of 39 runs from 30 deliveries.

Bornman chipped in with 36, which included four fours, and the pair partnered for a scintillating 81-run stand.

After their demise, Xander Schoeman went on the attack, smashing two sixes and two fours in a quickfire 28 from only 13 balls.

By the conclusion of their 20 overs, Merensky Landbou had posted a very challenging 189/4.

In reply, Mohodi’s Kamogelo Morema, who’ll be heading to his second Khaya Majola Week in December, batted phenomenally. The experienced opening batsman gave the Plasie bowlers grey hairs while cracking four fours and three sixes in an entertaining contribution of 72 runs.

Unfortunately for Morema, the only other noteworthy contribution was 25, scored by Mphontseng Mashlane, but more were needed.

The Plasies’ fast bowler, Schalk Rossouw, impressed with his three wickets, which included the scalps of Morema and Mashlane, at the cost of 18 runs from his three overs

Captain and opening bowler, Luka Heinlein, did a tidy job, generating good swing, to claim 2/12 from three overs.

After 20 overs, the Mohodi Hub had been restricted to 142/7.

Summarised scorecard 

Merensky Landbou 189/4 (JP Botha 39, Extras 39, Rinaldo Bornman 36, Xander Schoeman 28*, James Durant 21, Bernard Wandrag 21; Mahloti Sekuba 1/15) Mohodi Boys Hub 142/7 (Kamogelo Morema 72; Mpontsheng Mashlane 25; Schalk Rossouw 3/18, Luka Jeinlein 2/12).

Merensky Landbou won by 47 runs.

Franco is a sports fanatic from Tzaneen, a small town in Limpopo. Obsessed with both cricket and rugby, he still does the sport at club level when given the chance. Combining the rush of sports with his other passion, writing, gives him the fix any sport-crazy fan needs. In his spare time, he spends quality time with family and friends, preferably around a braaivleis fire.

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