16 February 2026
Despite a forecast that threatened to wash out Saturday’s play, the third annual Clifton T20 Tournament refused to yield. Instead, it built steadily towards a finale worthy of its growing reputation, culminating in a tension-soaked decider between Hoërskool Waterkloof and Kearsney College.
When the final ball was delivered and the dust settled on the Crusaders Club’s oval, it was Waterkloof – the Wildeklawer T20 champions – who had done just enough, squeezing home by four wickets in the final over to lift the Clifton Centenary Trophy and end the proud reign of Durban High School (DHS), who had won the first two editions.
There was relief, pride, and more than a touch of satisfaction in the words of Clifton’s Director of Cricket, Brandon Scullard, afterwards.
“We had to move a few things around, but we made it work,” he said. “All the schools accepted the changes so that we could fit everything in. Today was a fantastic day and an epic final to finish the tournament.”
A final befitting the stage
As the Wildeklawer champions, Waterkloof arrived in Durban North with a target on their backs. Expectation travels with silverware, and Klofies carried it confidently. Yet, if there was a team that captured the imagination across the weekend, it was Kearsney.
Few would have tipped the Botha’s Hill boys for a place in the title game at the outset. By the end, they had earned it beyond doubt.
“Credit to that group of young men,” Scullard said. “They worked their way into the final. They played a nail-biter in the game before, came back from 49/5 to post a competitive total. Any time you make around 120 in a final, at a run a ball, you’re in the game – and they stuck to it.”
The final began with Kearsney winning the toss and opting to bat. But they soon found themselves on the back foot as left-arm spinner, Johan Liebenberg, produced a probing, intelligent opening spell with the new ball.
Liebenberg’s combination of flight, drift and subtle turn was outstanding. Gary Verbaan and captain Keegan de Jager were both bowled, undone by deliveries that invited the drive before biting back. When Asher Hollister holed out to Frank van der Westhuizen off Rian Klopper, Kearsney was rocking at 20/3 in the sixth over.
Liebenberg tightened the screws, and in trying to break free too soon, Kearsney had lost their way.
Aaron Blackburn and Rivaan Moodley briefly steadied matters with 23 in 24 balls, but Moodley’s adventurous 16 off 13 – featuring a four and a towering six – ended when he picked out the sweeper. Three balls later, Ryan Staats followed, and at 49/5, the KZN side was in deep trouble.
Blackburn, though, refused to panic. He rotated the strike smartly, absorbed pressure, and allowed the innings to breathe. Luke Grobbelaar matched Moodley’s 16, including a thunderous straight six that momentarily lifted the mood. Then Daniel Miskey joined Blackburn, and together they found the momentum Kearsney so desperately needed.
Their 32-run stand off 25 balls shifted the narrative. Miskey’s 28 from 19 deliveries, punctuated by two fours and a six, was the innings’ most fluent passage. Blackburn’s 31-ball 20 will not feature in highlight reels, but it was the glue that held the innings together.
Kearsney closed on 124/8 – competitive, if perhaps 10 runs shy of comfort.
Liebenberg was outstanding, returning 2/15 in his four overs. Van der Westhuizen used his height and bounce cleverly, picking up 2/28, Jean Cloete claimed 2/30, and Rivan Booysen’s left-arm spin was economical. He conceded only 16 in his four overs and added a wicket, too.
Kearsney fights to the end
Set 125 to win, Waterkloof’s powerful batting line-up looked capable of a measured cruise. Kearsney had other ideas.
Left-arm quick Litha Gonya set the tone, extracting bounce and pace to remove AJ de Villiers in the first over. Rico van der Walt and Juan Swart counter-punched, adding 41 before Swart departed for a lively 25 from 16 balls.
From there, it became a grind.
Van der Walt stood firm while wickets tumbled around him. Vorster de Villiers, captain Franco Schmidt and Cloete all fell cheaply. At 78/5 in the 13th over, the final hung in the balance.
Van der Walt’s 49 from 48 balls – featuring a six and a four – was an innings of patience and responsibility. When he was run out after adding 15 with Johan Feuth, the pressure intensified.
But Feuth and Wian du Plessis showed admirable composure. Their unbroken 32-run partnership from 24 deliveries nudged Waterkloof over the line in the final over.
Feuth finished on 17, Du Plessis made 19 from 10 balls, and their hard running brought about a hard-fought win.
Kearsney’s bowlers had given everything. Rivaan Moodley’s 2/19 in four overs was superb, Matthew Gorrie chipped in with 1/20, and Gonya’s opening burst laid the foundation.
In the end, Waterkloof had just enough in the tank.
Pressure as a privilege
Waterkloof coach Cobus Pienaar understood the weight of expectation his side carried.
“When you have those sorts of victories under your belt, there is a target on your back,” he said. “If you want to compete with the best, you need to handle that pressure.
“I always see pressure as a privilege. It means you’re doing something well.”
The Klofies’ faithful had travelled in numbers, adding colour and voice to an already vibrant weekend.
“We serve cricket,” Pienaar added. “That’s the most important thing we can do.”
A festival atmosphere
Beyond the final, the tournament’s spirit was defined by moments that transcended results.
One of the highlights was Clifton College’s emphatic 77-run win over St John’s College (Harare), played in front of the entire Clifton College. The atmosphere was electric.
“We do this to give the boys and summer sport exposure,” Scullard said. “The school bought into it. That’s something our 1st XI will remember forever.”
Executive Headmaster Adam Rogers praised the support from the Durban North community and the festive energy that filled the Crusaders Club.
“It was an incredible day,” he said. “This is a signature event for Clifton, and we are very proud to put our name to it.”
The inclusion of four primary schools added another layer of depth and a glimpse into the future. Plans are already in motion to expand that component in 2027.
Semi-final drama
Kearsney booked their place in the title game with a gripping one-run win over Westville Boys’ High School in a 15-over semi-final.
They made 126/6, with De Jager contributing 34 and Hollister 28. Westville’s reply unravelled early under intense fielding pressure, which left them on 52/6 in the ninth over.
Though the Griffins fought back bravely – Kai Cotton’s unbeaten 18 off nine nearly stealing it – Kearsney held firm, removing the bails after the final delivery to seal victory.
In the other semi, shortened to 12 overs due to rain, Waterkloof overcame Northwood School.
Juan Swart blazed 47 off 27 balls, while Schmidt added 29 in a total of 120/4. Northwood’s David de Bruyn responded with a ferocious 37 off 15, launching three sixes and three fours as the Knights raced to 51/2. But once he fell, Waterkloof’s bowlers tightened their grip.
Van der Westhuizen (3/18), Booysen (2/20) and Liebenberg (1/16) orchestrated a collapse that saw Northwood lose six wickets for 17 runs. They finished on 108/9.
Eliminators and playoffs
Westville reached the semi-finals courtesy of a superb 85 from captain Kyle McGough against Hilton College. His 50-ball knock, studded with 11 fours and two sixes, propelled Westville to 154/4 in 16 overs. Hilton was on 125/7 when rain halted play, five balls short and well behind the required rate.
In the other eliminator, Waterkloof reversed a previous defeat to Michaelhouse with authority, winning by 72 runs at DHS. De Villiers’ 53, Van der Walt’s 38 and Feuth’s 26 powered Klofies to 164/4. Michaelhouse crumbled from 46/2 to 59/6 and were eventually bowled out for 92.
In other playoff matches, St Charles College dismissed St John’s College for 61 before racing to 63/3 in 6.2 overs.
DHS defeated Maritzburg College by five wickets on the DLS Method at Durban North College, thanks to 4/19 from Bonga Maphanga and an unbeaten 43 from Taine Havermann.
Glenwood High closed strongly, with Kamo Moloto smashing an unbeaten 97 off 59 balls to set up a 23-run win over Clifton.
Individual excellence
At the prize-giving, players from the finalists dominated the honours.
James Bishop (Kearsney) claimed the award for best bowling figures – 4/16 against Hilton. Asher Hollister was rewarded for his breathtaking 106 not out from 66 balls versus St John’s College (Harare), which was the highest score of the tournament, and he also walked away as Batsman of the Tournament with 206 runs.
Rico van der Walt’s 10 dismissals secured him Fielder of the Tournament. DHS quick Bonga Maphanga was named the Bowler of the Tournament with nine wickets, and Waterkloof’s Juan Swart and Cobus Pienaar were recognised as the Player and Coach of the Tournament.
It was a fitting conclusion to a weekend that blended competitive edge with community spirit.
Rain threatened. Adjustments were required. Schedules shifted.
But in the end, the cricket – bold, brave, and brimming with youthful ambition – took centre stage.
And as Waterkloof lifted the Clifton Centenary Trophy, it was clear that the third edition of the Clifton T20 had not merely survived the storm. It had flourished.
SCORES
Final
Kearsney College 124/8 (Daniel Miskey 28, Aaron Blackburn 20; Johan Liebenberg 2/15, Frank van Der Westhuizen 2/28, Jean Cloete 2/30); Hoërskool Waterkloof 125/6 (Rico van der Walt 49, Juan Swart 25; Rivaan Moodley 2/19). Waterkloof won by four wickets.
Semifinals
Hoërskool Waterkloof 120/4 after 12 overs (Juan Swart 47, Franco Schmidt 25; Josh Mills 3/29); Northwood 108/9 (David de Bruyn 37; Frank van der Westhuizen 3/18, Rivan Booysen 2/20). Waterkloof won by 12 runs.
Kearsney College 126 for 6 after 15 overs (Keegan de Jager 34, Asher Hollister 28; Kyle McGough 1/8, Lwandle Buolse 1/9); Westville Boys’ High 126/9 (Jamie Hasselbach 23, Misbah Nair 22; Matthew Gorrie 2/16, James Bishop 1/12, Matthew Rice 1/13). Kearsney won by one run.
Eliminators
Westville Boys’ High 154/4 (Kyle McGough 85, Tristin Delvin 33; Sechaba Gude 3/38); Hilton College 125/7 (Barack Munawa 45, Ryan Jellis 25*, Rob Burman 24; Misbah Nair 2/21, Aarin Rasmussen 2/26). Match abandoned. Westville advanced to the semifinals.
Playoffs
Glenwood High 153/7 (Kamo Moloto 97*; Daniel Rea 4/55, Blake Johnson 2/12); Clifton College 130/9 (Muhammed Malek 41, Hayden Drieselmann 30; Kamo Moloto 2/18). Glenwood won by 23 runs.
St John’s College (Harare) 61/10 (Sean Reilly 14; Caleb Sharp 3/13, Kaiyruan Naidoo 2/12, Keegan Vermaak 2/13, Jayden Saville 2/13); St Charles College 63/3 (Connor Simpson 29*, Luca Spagnuolo 1/20). St Charles won by seven wickets.
Maritzburg College 126/8 (Dax Jursa 33, Luka Puddu 29, Kyle de Bruyn 21; Bonga Maphanga 4/19); Durban High School 111/5 (Taine Havermann 43*, Ismaeel Omar 38; Kyle de Bruyn 2/8). DHS won by five wickets on the DLS Method.
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