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Lots of first-class cricket
Domestic cricket
Cobras vs Dolphins cricket
© Clive Reid
Did you know?
South African cricket star, Herschelle Gibbs, was 16 years old when he made his first-class debut for Western Province.
The 6 South African domestic cricket franchises are the Sunfoil Dolphins (Durban), Nashua Mobile Cobras (Cape Town), Nashua Titans (Pretoria), Bizhub Highveld Lions (Johannesburg), Chevrolet Knights (Bloemfontein) and Chevrolet Warriors (Port Elizabeth and East London).
The T20 Domestic Series is the most exciting local cricket competition in South Africa, with many matches selling out.
Several years ago, marketers introduced the concept that so many sixes were hit during this competition, that all spectators should wear brightly coloured hardhats as a safety measure. This is just one of the many gimmicks associated with the T20 Domestic Series. Others include dunking a spectator every time a boundary or wicket occurs, professional dancing and music, and interactive competitions during the matches.
Many top international cricketers sign up with South African teams for the T20 Domestic Series, with recent examples being Sanath Jayasuriya, Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, Owais Shah and Chris Tait.
There is also a 50-over-a-side franchise competition, known as the 1 Day Cup. These matches are also colourful, vibrant affairs.
For more astute cricket fans who prefer the longer version of the game, there is the SuperSport Series, which is a 4-day league involving the 6 franchises.
Provincial domestic cricket is played throughout the summer, with teams usually playing a 3-day match, followed by a limited overs game (40 per side). Most of the pitches used for franchise cricket are fast and bouncy, offering an excellent contest between bat and ball.
Some exciting talent is discovered in this division of cricket, particularly in developing areas.
Visit the Cricket South Africa website for the season’s fixtures and make a plan to watch a domestic cricket match in whichever city it is you are visiting. Meet some local cricket fans and enjoy the atmosphere, even if you aren’t bothered about which team wins.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Cricket South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)11 880 2810
Email: proteas@cricket.co.za
What will it cost
Tickets to franchise matches generally cost between R15 and R80, depending on the type of match.
Length of stay
T20 Domestic Series matches usually take less than 4 hours.