Cricket was first established by the British almost 200 years ago, though it was not until 1888-89 that the first tour by a Test side from England took place.  Port Elizabeth was the venue for the first Test match, South Africa becoming in the process the third Test playing nation.

Cricket is widely played throughout South Africa in both cities and rural areas. We recommend a tour which begins in one of the vibrant cities, moves through the rural areas and finishes back in the city, allowing your club to get the full South African experience. The rural areas are vast plains with farms rich in indigenous wild game.

Cricket clubs established by the British settlers who arrived in 1820 are found in these areas and are still run by the farming communities, who take pride in maintaining these beautiful country grounds. It’s not uncommon to chase away antelope who have taken a liking to the sweet grass at cover point before being able to get the days play under way. Cricket in these areas however is really made unique by the massive sense of open space around the grounds. Players get to see how city cultures differ from farm cultures in the harshness and excitement of Africa.

After its suspension from international cricket in 1970 South Africans developed an obsession for the domestic game which saw matches like the Boxing Day clash between Western Province and Transvaal develop into a ferocious clash between two of the countries top sides. It was during this period of isolation that club cricket flourished. Players of international standard such as Graeme Pollock, Mike Proctor, Eddie Barlow and many others could be seen playing for their clubs most Saturdays and Sundays when not representing their provinces in the fiercely contested Currie Cup. It was under these conditions that many clubs grew in number and popularity and the love for the game was spread throughout the schools.

As a result, today South Africa has a well established club setup throughout both the larger metro and rural areas. Most clubs boast well maintained pitches and outfields complete with country club facilities. Today however it is unlikely one would bump into one of the current international players on the club circuit as due to South Africa’s re admittance into International cricket, these players are heavily involved in both domestic and international matches.

Blessed with such natural beauty it is not surprising that South Africa boasts such an exceptional selection of golf courses. For all the splendour of Newlands in the late afternoon session, the MCG (Mill Cricket Ground) outside Bedford in the Eastern Cape with the mountain rich in African bush as the backdrop and the old Mill as the clubhouse, this lovely country ground certainly provides a contrasting beauty all of its own.

So whether one is enjoying a game on the oval at Constantia Uitsig set deep in the heart of Cape Towns vineyards, or on the immaculate oval at aSante Sana, the Game Reserve surrounded by the imposing Bankburg Mountain range that serves as a natural amphitheatre, followed by a game drive in an open topped Land rover through some 15000 hectares of indigenous bush to see an abundance of buck, Rhino, giraffe, elephant and buffalo, cricket in South Africa is more then a game but rather an experience to be savoured.

Sample Cricket tour itinerary to South Africa

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