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

History in the tournament

This will be the second time that St Andrew’s have qualified for the Coca-Cola T20 Schools National Finals.

Road to the National Finals

In the Free State Final St Andrew’s played against Goudveld. Saints batted first and scored 187 for 5, with Gerald Coetzee scoring 59 and Janrich Viljoen scoring 52. Goudveld could only score 66, thanks to brilliant bowling from Franklin Damons 4-14 and Marx de Villiers 3-9. Saints won by 121 runs.

In the Knights final St Andrew’s played against Northern Cape. Saints batted first and scored 195 for 5, with Garnett Tarr scoring 115. Northern Cape could only reply with 52 all out. Saints won by 146 runs.

Potential Heroes

Gerald Coetzee has been the talk in the Free State for a couple of years, and has developed into a very good all-rounder. He has been a huge help, both with bat and ball during the Coca-Cola T20 Challenge qualifications. Gerald scored 59 against Goudveld and took 5-6 against Northern Cape.

Tarr is another player that has been very good for St Andrew’s this season. He was very influential in their franchise final when he scored a very quick 115, so by the time Northern Cape had a chance to bat, the game was all but over.

Prospects for the Coca-Cola T20 Schools Challenge National Finals

When you see the names St Andrew’s and Grey College in a tournament, you know that they are there to win. St Andrew’s has had a fantastic season and they don’t owe it to just a few players. The whole team has contributed in one way or another.

‘We are coming to the tournament to win. Our first aim is to make the final, but I know that we have the talent to win this competition,’ says first team coach Greg Hobson.

St Andrews Proteas players since readmission

None

Compiled by Warwick Austin.

Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images