As part of our eight-team preview ahead of this weekend’s Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge, we take a look at Prestige College’s chances. 

History in the tournament

This is the first time that Prestige College has made the Coca-Cola T20 Schools National Finals.

 Road to the National Finals

Prestige College were knocked out early in attempting to qualify to represent the Titans. However, the College applies a lot of resources, including bursaries for underprivileged children to attend their school and play cricket, and this has given them the opportunity to qualify as a CSA Northern Focus School.

They played HTS Potchefstroom in the semi-finals of the Northern Focus schools and bowled them out for 88. They then chased down the score in 10 overs with nine wickets to spare.

Next they got to play against HTS Louis Botha in the final at the Mamelodi Oval and batted first. They struggled on a very difficult pitch and only managed to score 108-7, but bowled brilliantly and had Louis Botha out for 78.

Potential Heroes

Thabo Motaung played in last year’s Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket week. His 48* was crucial in the title game when Northerns beat Free State in Bloemfontein. Thabo was selected for the Cubs week to represent the Titans, which is a huge feat considering that he is only 17 years old. In the Coca-Cola T20 Schools qualification semi-final against HTS Potchefstroom, he hit 62* while chasing 88.

Tumelo Banda is a young all-rounder in the team. For the last two years he has played for Northerns in the CSA U15 week. He did exceptionally well, taking seven wickets in five matches during the week. During the Coca-Cola T20 Schools Challenge qualifications he took 3-11 against HTS Potchefstroom, and 2-15 against HTS Louis Botha.

Prospects for the Coca-Cola T20 Schools Challenge National Finals

The team has a few explosive batsmen and some very good bowlers. At the outset they might not be one of the tournament favourites, but they are confident and believe that they have as good a chance as any of the other schools.

‘In this format anything can happen, we are well prepared and, since we qualified for the Coca-Cola T20 Schools National Finals, we have concentrated mainly on T20 cricket,’ says first team coach, Thabiso Nakwela.

Prestige College Proteas players

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Compiled by Warwick Austin

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images