The Fasken Time Cricket Festival will return to St David’s Marist Inanda from 3 to 6 September 2026, bringing together 12 of South Africa’s leading school cricket teams for a unique pre-season competition.
Now in its ninth competitive edition, the festival is designed to prepare young cricketers for the new season by testing their tactical awareness, resilience, leadership and ability to perform in the longer format of the game.
Unlike traditional limited-overs cricket, matches are played over two days with a minimum of 110 overs bowled per day. Teams may use 13 players while only 11 batsmen are permitted per innings, allowing coaches to rotate fielders and develop players across different roles.
Festival Director and St David’s Director of Cricket Dave Nosworthy said the competition aims to teach valuable lessons beyond technical ability.
Time cricket teaches lessons that cannot always be learnt in a shorter format. It is about strategy, tactics, patience, resilience and learning how to compete in the right spirit,” said Nosworthy.
The participating teams include St David’s Marist Inanda, St Stithians College, King Edward VII School, St John’s College, Jeppe High School for Boys, Waterkloof Hoërskool, Noordheuwel Hoërskool, Clifton School, St Andrew’s School, St Charles College, Middelburg Hoërskool and the Lions Cricket Invitational XI.
Around 156 players, 28 coaches and managers, 12 umpires and six scorers will take part, while SuperSport Schools will provide live-streaming coverage throughout the festival.
Individual excellence will also be recognised through the Batsman of the Festival, Bowler of the Festival and Player of the Festival awards.