And that means cricket season is back. Long, hazy days, picnics on the grass banks and bumper action in the middle.
The 2024/25 domestic season kicks off with Cricket SA T20 Challenge starting on Friday, with defending champions the Lions facing near-neighbours the Titans at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
On Saturday, the newly-promoted Knights will host North West Dragons at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
The opening round will conclude with the Cape derby as Western Province host Boland, while the Warriors take on last season’s finalists the Dolphins at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Independent Newspapers’ Zaahier Adams and Ongama Gcwabe, who will be keeping you up to date with all things cricket for the duration of the summer, spoke to an influential player from each of the eight teams about their prospects for the new season ahead.
What is the biggest strength of your team?
Mitchell van Buuren, Lions: I would say the amount of high-quality players we have. The depth at the Lions is top-class. Also, we have the experience of winning trophies before.
Neil Brand, Titans: Our depth and our balance is what puts us in good stead and we have a lot of international experience in the team.
Jiveshan Pillay, Warriors: It’s our youth. We have a lot of exciting young players that play fearless cricket. I think that buys into how the Warriors want to play.
Prenelan Subrayen, Dolphins: Our ability to gel as a team when the chips are up and down.
Clyde Fortuin, Boland: A good mixture of experience and youth. We have the likes of Pieter Malan and Shaun von Berg who have played for South Africa, and very keen youngsters, local talent coming through.
Beuran Hendricks, Western Province: The amount of adaptable players we have in our camp.
Wihan Lubbe, North West Dragons: We’ve got guys who can win games single-handedly, especially T20 cricket.
Dane Piedt, Knights: The balance of experience and youth.
Who is your toughest opponent and which venue is the most intimidating to visit?
Van Buuren, Lions: The Titans and Centurion.
Brand, Titans: The Warriors have been really good in the last few years. Durban is tough to visit. I’ve never really enjoyed playing there; hopefully that changes this year.
Pillay, Warriors: That would probably be the Lions, they played really well last year. It will be interesting to see how they go without their national players this year, so that’s a nice challenge for us. Place to go … I’d probably say Durban.
Subrayen, Dolphins: That’s a hard one. If you look at the restructuring of all the teams in Division 1, every game is going to be tough. A place for us to visit has always been Bloem. The Knights are coming in as underdogs and they will definitely want to prove they are back for a reason.
Fortuin, Boland: The Lions have been strong over the last few years. They play well at the Bullring. They know how to play there.
Hendricks, WP: Going up north will be our biggest challenge. The Lions took the title last season and will have confidence going into this year, while Centurion being a high scoring venue will be challenging.
Lubbe, Dragons: The toughest opponent is the Lions. It’s a derby game for us as well because we have been part of the same union for a long time.
Piedt, Knights: Potchefstroom used to be a tough place to tour. Toughest opponent? You always get a good game in Pretoria against the Titans.
Which youngster in your camp is ready for a breakout season?
Van Buuren, Lions: Everyone knows Kwena Maphaka, but he’s already gone!
Brand, Titans: Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Steve Stolk … take your pick.
Pillay, Warriors: JP King. He is one to watch out for this season.
Subrayen, Dolphins: Bryce Parsons. He’s really flourished as a cricketer, and matured as an individual.
Fortuin, Boland: We’ve also signed Gavin Kaplan from Western Province and we are hoping he can bring that form to Boland.
Hendricks, WP: Abdallah Bayoumy. The work ethic and hunger he’s shown through the winter to improve his fitness and skills has been on another level.
Lubbe, North West: Caleb Seleka is the one to watch.
Piedt, Knights: Dian Forrester
What makes your coach unique in the way he mentors the team?
Van Buuren, Lions: Overall we have a high-quality coaching staff, who have all been involved at the highest level of international cricket. (Head coach) Russell Domingo’s man-management is also of a very high standard.
Brand, Titans: Mandla (Mashimbyi) is very laid back. The whole coaching staff has been great this pre-season, so it’s good for the environment.
Pillay, Warriors: Our coach Robbie P’s (Peterson) coaching philosophy and the way he comes across to the players creates a major buy-in from all the players. He’s played international cricket, for a lot of T20 franchises in the world, and brings a lot of experience to our dressing room.
Subrayen, Dolphins: Quinny (Quinton Friend) is new in his role as head coach, but I think the way he converses with players both on and off the field has shown that he has a good understanding with the players.
Fortuin, Boland: Ontas (Justin Ontong) is always approachable. He’s played the game at the highest level, so he can relate to all the players. Anyone can always go to our squad regardless of anything.
Hendricks, WP: I think the relationships he’s built since he’s been here and the calmness he brings into the change room makes coach Salieg (Nackerdien) unique.
Lubbe, Dragons: Craig (Alexander) is a straight shooter but it comes from a good place. If you get criticism from his side, it's with good intention.
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