SA20 has introduced the rain SA20 Derby Series, which consists of individual matches between leading schools in South Africa. Mobile operator rain is the title sponsor for both this new series and the national school T20 tournament, rain Schools SA20.
The derby series kicks off on Tuesday, September 22, when Menlo Park School hosts Waterkloof in a day/night format match. Twenty-six schools participate in the competition, playing home and away in alternating years. This series does not feature a league table or a cumulative path to the title—each match is played independently.
The national rain Schools SA20 league begins its third season, with over 500 schools registered. The tournament is open to both boys and girls and progresses through provincial and then regional rounds, culminating in the rain Schools SA20 Final Weekend, where national champions are determined. The defending champions are Jeppe High School for Boys and Queen’s High School.
Winning schools in each tournament receive a full scholarship, funded by SA20 in collaboration with the South African Cricketers’ Association, for an promising seventh-grade boy or girl to attend school. This scholarship covers annual school fees, dormitory expenses, and additional costs.
SA20 Commissioner Graham Smith noted that rain Schools SA20 is a national development pathway that identifies and nurtures the country's best young players, crowning one champion each season. He added that the rain SA20 Derby Series holds a different significance: 'it is an opportunity to give a school and its community a day they will talk about for years, based on pride and mutual respect, rather than a table or a trophy.'
rain CEO Conrad Lee stated that thanks to this partnership, the operator was able to enter the cricket fanbase early. He explained: 'Cricket fans already associate rain with Betway SA20, so expanding these relationships into school cricket seemed like a natural next step.' He also emphasized that the company supported rain Schools SA20 due to its contribution to the next generation of players, while the Derby Series gives them a chance to participate in something different.
The full schedule of matches is available on schools.sa20.co.za. All games will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools 216 on DStv, the Schools SA20 YouTube channel, and SABC+.