Graeme Smith launches SA20 schools Derby Series at St Stithians College
League Commissioner Graeme Smith believes the expanding grassroots initiative will keep youth active while building a sustainable pipeline for international cricket talent.
Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith believes an expanded youth programme will build a sustainable talent pipeline for national cricket.
Cricket legends and current stars gathered at St Stithians College on September 9 to launch the SA20 schools Derby Series.
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SA 20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith joined Head of Cricket Operations Stephen Cook and players Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Evan Jones and Mitchell van Buuren at Higher Ground Restaurant to unveil the project.
Smith said the initiative cultivates future world champions.
He said the SA20 schools programme, now in its second year, has grown rapidly.
“We started the school programme last year, 561 schools, girls and boys. It’s massive; it’s across 15 regions in South Africa,” Smith said. “We have introduced a derby series this year as well. Fortunately, we had a sponsor in Rain that has decided to get behind us and help create the storylines at school level.”
For Smith, school cricket offers more than a route to the pros.
“Most important is keeping and giving opportunity to these kids, even if you don’t make it professionally, but keeping them doing something rather than running in the streets,” he said.
More than 230 girls’ schools took part last year, alongside U19 girls’ camps.
“I love watching the girls play. The passion, the energy, it’s incredible to see how much it means to them,” Smith said.
The Derby Series pits rival schools against each other from September to mid-March.
“There’s big heritage, a lot of tradition, but there’s also new ones we’ve tried to find, in pretty much most of the regions around South Africa,” he said.
Smith linked the schools’ push to SA20’s U23 quota, which forces franchises to field at least two young players in a match.
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“We’re starting to see Pretorius at 17 playing in SA20, Maphaka and the Hermann brothers,” he said. Pretorius is a former St Stithians learner.
Smith pointed to more than 20 South Africans playing in last year’s Indian Premier League as proof the pipeline works.
“The talent is wanted. It’s there. Hopefully that means the national team will go on and be hugely successful over the next year,” he said.
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