Rajah fires Coastal Conquerors to victory over Gladiators

Coastal Conquerors’ fast bowler Rowen Rajah (4/42) spearheaded his team’s victory over the Central Gladiators during the opening match of Cricket South Africa’s annual Cubs Week at the Coetzenburg Oval here.

Rajah struck early in the second over, dismissing Nkosana Sibiya (2) and Troy Gordon (0). He later removed Morteza Manack (1) and Kamogelo Phiri (3), leaving the Gladiators reeling at 22/4.

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CSA CUBS Week runs from 3–7 January 2026.

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The Gladiators’ versatile Wade McQuinn (65) and opener Ombesa Matsha (62) steadied the innings with their half-centuries, helping the team reach a respectable total of 232/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

The Conquerors’ Ben Hockly (65) and Semal Pillay (51) laid a solid foundation with a 114-run partnership for the second wicket. Hockly eventually fell to an excellent slip catch by Tahseen Hanslo off Manack’s bowling (2/39).

Riley Miller (86*) continued his fine batting form, guiding the Northern Champions to a five-wicket win over the Eastern Warriors on Maties’ C-field with his unbeaten knock.

Miller was among the top scorers at last year’s Khaya Majola Week in Bloemfontein. He and Kamogelo Matlala (28) shared a 95-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Matlala fell just before the end, caught by Lisekho Zinyane off Rhys Winblin (1/4).

Titans’ strike bowler Xander Venter (3/14) and leg spin bowler Jalen Mannikam (3/48) did the most damage to restrict the Warriors to 172. Venter dismissed Jordan Damons (5) and Zinyane (0) with consecutive deliveries to wrap up the innings.

The home team, Southern Superstars, kicked off their title bid with an 85-run win over the Western Legends.

They posted 270/9 in their allotted 50 overs thanks to a half-century from Francois Prins (77) and valuable contributions from Qaeed Shaik (33), Gideon du Toit (28), Unathi Magaloza (27), Michail Tarentaal (21), Luca Plekker (20), and Waco Bassick (20).

The Legends’ batting faltered apart from an 88-run second-wicket stand between Aiden Dodd (60) and Eduard Dreyer (25). Both fell in consecutive overs.

Luca Plekker starred with the ball, taking four wickets for just 41 runs, while Waco Bassick (3/20) also caused havoc. Bassick claimed the last two wickets—Carl Fryer (5) and Olefa Pedi (0)—with consecutive deliveries.

Summarized Scorecards:

Central Gladiators 232/7 (Wade McQuinn 65, Ombesa Matsha 62, Alec Loveland 38*, Tahseen Hanslo 32; Rowen Rajah 4/42); Coastal Conquerors 233/8 (Ben Hockly 65, Joshua van Biljon 56, Semal Pillay 51, Extras 20; Tahseen Hanslo 3/39, Morteza Manack 2/39, Munib Ayob 2/41). Coastal Conquerors won by two wickets.

Southern Superstars 270/9 (Francois Prins 77, Extras 34, Qaeed Shaik 33, Gideon du Toit 28, Unathi Magaloza 27, Michail Tarentaal 21, Luca Plekker 20, Waco Bassick 20; Otto Krause 3/42); Western Legends 185 (Aiden Dodd 60, Eduard Dreyer 25; Luca Plekker 4/41, Waco Bassick 3/20, Taywin Adams 2/29). Southern Superstars won by 85 runs.

Eastern Warriors 172 (Samuel Scheckter 39*, Randy Syce 35, Dawid Vermaak 27, Ingathi Mafanga 20; Xander Venter 3/14, Jalen Mannikam 3/48); Northern Champions 175/5 (Riley Miller 86*, Kamogelo Matlala 28, Moeketsi Beya 24; Rhys Wiblin 1/4). Northern Champions won by five wickets.