The Southern Superstars secured a bonus-point victory over the Western Legends in the penultimate round of the U19 Cubs Week to move to the top of the standings.
They have the same number of points as the Northern Champions, who experienced some tense moments in their six-run victory over the defending champions, the Coastal Conquerors.
The Central Gladiators, who are one point behind the log leaders, also have an outside chance of walking away with the spoils on Sunday, but both log leaders would need to lose their respective matches.
The Superstars and Champions will have to make sure of a victory in their final match and if they are able to bag a bonus point it might be enough to be crowned champions.
The Champions will face the Eastern Warriors in their final match. The Warriors are still searching for their first victory of this year’s tournament. In their final clash, the Superstars will have to secure a victory over the Conquerors to stand a chance to win the title.
The Champions posted 162 in their match against the Conquerors on Saturday. Christiaan du Toit top-scored with 49, while Jake Carstens took 5-44.
Left-arm orthodox spin bowler Divan Engelbrecht then produced a match-winning performance with the ball. His 5-32 included the wickets of Pillay (39) and Carstens (nought) in successive deliveries.
Fast bowler Tristan Luus (3-26) caught Jonathan van Zyl (50) off his own bowling to leave the Conquerors six runs short of victory.
Northern Champions (162) beat Coastal Conquerors (156) by six runs
Northern Champions: Christiaan du Toit 49, Dewan Marais 28; Jake Carstens 5-44, Romashen Pillay 3-34
Coastal Conquerors: Jonathan van Zyl 50, Romashen Pillay 39; Divan Engelbrecht 5-32, Tristan Luus 3-26
The Southern Superstars secured a bonus-point victory over the Western Legends.
They posted 286 thanks to half-centuries by Maahir Jospeh (56) and Abdullah Bayoumy (50). Tumelo Makume (4-26), Dakalo Leketa (3-29) and Rico Fryer (3-47) impressed with the ball for the Legends.
SA Schools captain Juan James (2-18) picked up two wickets in the first over of the Legends innings, before SA U19 fast bowler Liyema Waqu (3-42) caused more damage.
Southern Superstars (286) beat Western Legends (150) by 136 runs
Southern Superstars: Maahir Jospeh 56, Abdullah Bayoumy 50, Juan James 44, Bongile Mfunelwa 30, Cormey van der Watt 22, Meeka-eel Prince 21; Tumelo Makume 4-26, Dakalo Leketa 3-29, Rico Fryer 3-47
Western Legends: Naziel Adams 48, Bathabile Masigo 35, Ludwich Schuld 26; Liyema Waqu 3-42, Juan James 2-18, Abdullah Bayoumy 2-18
The Central Gladiators defeated the Eastern Warriors by seven wickets, with fast bowler Kwena Maphaka taking 5-43.
Richard Seletswane (61*) and Thebe Gazide (52) then made half-centuries.
Central Gladiators (170-3) beat Eastern Warriors (166) by seven wickets
Eastern Warriors: Casey Keevy 51; Kwena Maphaka 5-43, Sipho Potsane 2-42
Central Gladiators: Richard Seletswane 61*, Thebe Gazide 52; Jean Upman 1-24
Day 5 fixtures (Sunday):
Southern Superstars vs Coastal Conquerors (Tassies Oval)
Central Gladiators vs Western Legends (Maties C)
Northern Champions vs Eastern Warriors (Coetzenberg)
