Post on 22-Jan-2018
In South Africa, two sports
dominate the culture:
RUGBY and CRICKET
Cricket came to South
Africa under hostile
times in the early 1800s
when the British
occupied the country.
In 1876 the first domestic
tournament was held on
Port Elizabeth’s grounds.
In 1888, Sir Donald Currie
brought the first foreign
visiting team, England, to
South Africa’s soil.
He also brought the
Currie Cup - the
domestic series, now
called the Sunfoil Series,
which continues to serve
as the nation’s premier
cricket competition.
HIGHS AND LOWS OFTHE 1900S
The early part of the
1900s saw the game grow
domestically and
internationally but
virtually came to a
standstill during World
War II till it ended in 1945
Apartheid policies were
enacted in 1948 and for
fifteen years, the
international community
voiced their disdain, but
little other action was
taken till 1968.
Basil D’Oliveira, barred
from the playing the
game in South Africa for
being a “coloured” man,
moved to England and
joined their team.
In 1968, he
attempted to play
for England on
South African soil,
but was barred
once again.
This act of hatred
sparked South Africa’s
international ban for
over 20 years–officially
beginning in 1970.
THE MODERN ERA
February 11, 1990
saw Nelson Mandela’s
release from prison,
and the end of South
Africa’s dark
apartheid era.
With the policies finally
removed, the sporting
world soon welcomed the
Proteas (switching from
the Springboks moniker)
back into its fold.
2003 brought the World
Cup to the Rainbow
Nation’s shores. and in
2007, the Proteas’ drive
paid off as they earned the
sport’s top rank.
Although the nation still
waits for a World Cup
title, we take pride in the
sport representing the
progress of this now
prospering nation.
W W W . H E N R I S T E E N K A M P . O R G
TO READ FULL ARTICLE, VISIT