Cricket South Africa, in collaboration with South Africa 20, has announced an exciting new initiative aimed at encouraging cricket talent among the nation’s youth.
The Schools South Africa 20 (SA20) program is set to become a crucial platform for both girls and boys across the country to showcase their cricketing abilities. This innovative initiative serves as a vital steppingstone for young players, offering them invaluable opportunities to sharpen their skills and potentially emerge as future icons of South African cricket.
By focusing on grassroots development, the SA20 program aims to create a system that will support talented players and strengthen the sport’s future in the country.
This national-level competition will commence from September 2024 to March 2025, featuring over 370 boys and more than 200 girls from all 16 provinces of South Africa. They will compete in a total of 1,000 matches, ensuring every player has ample opportunities to demonstrate their skills.
SA20 and CSA have also introduced a cricket league specifically dedicated to girls, which is a significant initiative to encourage more young women to pursue cricket as a career. This girls’ competition will play a key role in preparing the South Africa U19 Girls team for the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia in 2025.
The competition will be played in three phases: Phase 1, from September to November 2024, will cover provincial competitions; Phase 2, from January to February 2025, will include regional playoffs; and Phase 3, from March 13 to March 15, 2025, will feature the finals. Players will be selected by all teams using a rookie draft system.
Graeme Smith, the SA20 League Commissioner, emphasized that Schools SA20 is more than just a competition; it is a crucial platform for nurturing future cricketing talent. He noted that many current Proteas players, such as Kagiso Rabada and Laura Wolvaardt, began their careers at the school level, and this competition could help the next generation achieve their dreams of representing South Africa at the national level. The SA20 is committed to advancing women’s cricket through initiatives like U19 Girls’ Camps and collaborations with CSA and the government.
Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki also praised Schools SA20 for its role in developing young talent and providing a stage for aspiring cricketers.
This competition will gain global exposure through SuperSport Schools, with over 200 matches set to be broadcast across various media platforms.
