Steyn City School’s Karabo Meso left the best for last as she smashed an unbeaten 117 runs to secure her team the inaugural Schools SA20 Girls Championship by 61 runs against Saint’s Christian School from Potchefstroom, at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria on Saturday, 15 March, 2025.
The Oval was abuzz with a lively crowd as the Schools SA20 came to an exciting close, witnessing the first century of the competition, and by far, the biggest innings of the tournament.
The Proteas Women’s player produced the magic throughout the tournament as she amassed 228 runs in her four innings. She was only dismissed once, which left her with an unbelievable average of 228 runs for the Final Showdown of the Schools SA20.
Meso was also one of the South African U19 team’s stars earlier this year as they reached the final of the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup for the first time. The wicketkeeper walked away with the awards for Player as well as Batter of the Tournament.
Meso and her captain, Diara Ramlakan (35), shared a 111-run partnership for the second wicket to set up their team for victory, scoring 178/2 in their allotted overs, before dismissing the team from Potchefstroom were restricted to 117/9 in their chase.
Saints Christian School’s seam bowler Siphumelele Duma was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with nine wickets at an average of eight runs per victim, and was also named the Bowler of the Tournament. Her teammate Tshegofatso Monyela picked up eight wickets at an average of 8.6 runs per wicket.
Reabetswe Dithipe (39) and Monyela (23) made the biggest contributions with the bat. Steyn City’s Sivaakani Naidoo (4/26) and Olivia Marais (2/21) caused Saints the most problems with their bowling.
Saints was also awarded with the Spirit of the Week to round off an excellent week for the squad.
Final Results of the Inaugural SA Schools T20 Showdown, on Saturday, 15 March, 2025
Steyn City School (178/2) beat Saint’s Christian School (117/9) by 61 runs
Summarised Scorecard
Steyn City School 178/2 Karabo Meso 117*, Diara Ramlakan 35; Siphokazi Duma 1/36 Saint Christian School 117/9 Reabetswe Dithipe 39, Tshegofatso Monyela 23, Extras 23; Sivaakani Naidoo 4/26, Olivia Marais 2/21
Steyn City School won by 61 runs
Tournament Awards
Player of the Tournament: Karabo Meso (Steyn City School)
Batter of the Tournament: Karabo Meso (Steyn City School)
Bowler of the Tournament: Siphumelele Duma (Steyn City School)
Spirit of Cricket Award: Saints Christian School
Day 2 Results on Friday, 14 March, 2025
Steyn City School beat Nkowankowa Hub by 63 runs
Victoria Hub beat Nomandi Junior Secondary School by 51 runs
Saints Christian School beat Dr. JL Dube High School by 69 runs
Nkowankowa Hub beat Dr. JL Dube High School by 37 runs
Nomandi Junior Secondary School beat Steyn City School by 16 runs
Saints Christian School beat Victoria Hub by five wickets
Day 1 Results on Thursday, 13 March, 2025
Dr JL Dube High School beat Nomandi Junior Secondary School by 7 wickets
Saints Christian School beat Nkowankowa Hub by 4 wickets
Steyn City School beat Victoria Hub by 7 wickets
Qualified Teams for the Schools SA20 Tournament
Dr JL Dube High School (KwaZulu-Natal)
Saints Christian School (Central)
Nkowankowa Hub (Gauteng North)
Nomandi Junior Secondary School (Eastern Cape)
Victoria Hub (Western Cape)
Steyn City School (Gauteng South)
Original Copy: Cricket SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Steyn City School’s Karabo Meso smashed an unbeaten 117 runs to secure her team the inaugural Schools SA20 Girls Championship over Saint’s Christian School from Potchefstroom, at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria on Saturday, 15 March, 2025. All Photos: Frans Lombard / Actionpix via Cricket SA
Photo 2 Caption: Karabo Meso, with experience as international opening bat and keeper, smashed an unbeaten 117 runs on Saturday as a mainstay of Steyn City’s win.
Photo 3 Caption: Steyn City School’s skipper Diara Ramlakan steered her team to the inaugural Schools SA20 Showdown win over Saint’s Christian School.
Photo 4 Caption: Steyn City School in Gauteng South (left) and Saint’s Christian School from Potchefstroom qualified best of six teams from around South Africa, in the final of the inaugural Schools SA20 Girls Championship at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria.
