GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route Badgers had mixed success in the opening weekend of the 2026/27 season.

After no play was possible on the first day of their three-day 1st Class Shield match against the Eastern Storm at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Yaseen Valli and his troops managed to draw the match and collect enough bonus points to top the log at 14.78 points.

The Badgers, who lost the toss and were put into bat, amassed 460 (all out in 133.5 overs).

Pheko Moletsane made an impressive century - 119 (186 balls; 2x6; 14x4). He received some good support from Modise Maloka (75), Nathan Engelbrecht (57) and Slade van Staden (56).

Amaan Khan bagged 4/62 and Tumelo Similane 3/134 for the home side.

The Easterns had reached 317/7 (129.5 overs) when bad light stopped play on the end of the third day. Jurie Snyman (86), Sabelo Mabuya (74*) and Amaan Khan (55*) were the top run-scorers.

In the Dafabet Pro50 Cup match on Sunday, the Badgers scored a competitive 285/8 (in 50 overs), with Moletsane (82* from 88 balls; 3x6, 4x4) again the top run-scorer. He received good support from the wicketkeeper/batsman Engelbrecht (79 from 91 balls; 1x6, 7x4) and Janneman Malan (41).

Jurie Snyman (3/41), Tumelo Similane (2/60) and Aryan Gopolan (2/56) were the pick of the bowlers for the Easterns.

A well-played century by Ronann Hermann (116) steered the Easterns (286/5 in 46.3 overs) to a five-wicket victory. Leo Sadler was the best bowler for the visitors with 2/56.

The Badgers will now travel to White River for their three-day fixture against the Mpumalanga Rhinos, starting on Thursday, and the white-ball encounter will be on Sunday.

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