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Watch Menlopark and Waterkloof light up Menlo Oval for rain SA20 Derby Series opener
Matchday 1 of the rain SA20 Derby Series is here with Die Hoërskool Menlopark and Hoërskool Waterkloof's getting the new competition underway today, from 17:00 (SAST), under floodlights at Menlo Oval.
There will be no log points or a cumulative path to a title up for grabs. The fixture stands on its own - one match, two school communities, built on pride, mutual respect and the will to win. It will be more than a match.
WATCH: Menlopark vs Waterkloof live on DStv Channel 216, the Schools SA20 YouTube Channel and SuperSport Schools App on Tuesday, 22 September from 17:00.
Of course, Pretoria has its share of school derbies, but with a few thousand supporters expected and the teams evenly-matched under the floodlights, this clash is a worthy opener to the new series.
“We’re very excited to be the first to play in the exciting new rain SA20 Derby Series, and privileged to host it,” said Alex van der Merwe, Menlopark 1st XI coach, at the launch of the new competition.
“Menlopark is a special place, and we’re excited for the cricket which will be played at Menlo Oval. We’re quite fortunate to have floodlights and be able to play cricket under them with everyone around as Menlopark is quite a big school in Pretoria alongside Waterkloof – it will be really special. There will be a lot of entertainment and very good cricket.”
With the two schools having played their Menlo-Klofie ‘Big Bash’ over many years already, the advent of the rain SA20 Derby Series will add to the platform of the occasion.
“It’s always a nice evening at Menlopark with two co-ed schools who have good cricket programmes so it’s always good to get the parents and the pupils out in their numbers to support the boys – it’s always nice for the cricket communities,” said Waterkloof Director of Cricket and 1st XI coach Cobus Pienaar.
Alex van der Merwe (Menlopark 1st XI coach) and Cobus Pienaar (Waterkloof Director of Cricket and 1st XI coach) are excitedly looking forward to their schools getting the rain SA20 Derby Series under way.
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