The ancestral home of South African cricket, The Wanderers has been home to some of the greatest moments in South African cricket. The unforgettable ‘438 Game’ between South Africa and Australia was played in front of a sellout crowd of 30 000, and it still retains its status as the greatest one-day match of all time.
Affectionately known as the Bullring, the Wanderers in full voice is an intimidating place for the opposition – but a throbbing, vibrant place of joy for every fan. Blessed with one of the fastest outfields in world cricket, curator Evan Flint also produces fast, bouncy tracks that encourage exciting stroke-play.
This was the place where AB de Villiers exploded on Pink Day, smashing a 31-ball century. When the leather really flies, balls have been known to land up in the adjoining golf course. The scene is set for the Jozi night sky to be redecorated by some of the hardest hitting players in the T20 game. The Bullring cauldron is ideal for T20 cricket, and it is never ever quiet.
Bring. It. On!
SUPERSPORT PARK CENTURION
The sight of communal braai smoke wafting across the outfield, beyond to the sun setting over the speeding Gautrain is one that will never get old. Supersport Park has always been the ultimate family ground.
Massive grass embankments ensure that young and old can run around to their hearts content- in between overs, that is. You don’t want to miss a moment of the frenetic action. The DJ belts out the old-school tracks, the energetic souls at Castle Corner hand out sage advice – and the thousands crammed into the stands roar on every fine stroke or stunning wicket.
Supersport Park has been a fitting home to the Titans and their galaxy of stars, as they play a brand of relentlessly attacking cricket. There is always a sense of anticipation at Centurion because things tend to happen quickly. Brace yourself for big scores and even bigger sixes! No place makes the boerewors rolls better than this place, and the locals know and love their cricket.
KINGSMEAD
Summer nights in Durban call for cricket at one of South Africa’s great venues. Kingsmead sits just minutes from the Indian Ocean, bringing with it a cooling breeze – and respite from the searing conditions out in the middle!
The ground lends itself to big hits that can end up on the main road over the Western Stand! In 2007, India’s Yuvraj Singh christened Kingsmead as a T20 venue to never forget by smashing England’s Stuart Broad for six sexes in an over. Much like the tide, cricket proceedings at Kingsmead can change in a hurry – so don’t take your eyes off the action!
The original Castle Corner remains an institution at fine- leg, and many a visiting player has taken part in the banter that flies about almost as frequently as the ball. In recent years, the surface has encouraged slower bowlers, so beware of some of the world’s very best spinners coming into their own here. In between innings, take a trundle along the walk of champions, the gleaming new monument to all the incredible cricketers that have delivered outstanding performances at one of South African cricket’s most iconic venues. Don’t forget to try the Hollywood bunnies!
ST GEORGE’S PARK
South Africa’s oldest international ground, St George’s is also the home of the ultimate party. Here the band plays merrily on, cajoling the cricketers to deliver even more epic displays out in the middle.
In full voice, the grandstand is a wonderful place to watch from, at a venue deeply steeped in history and culture. The playing surface has always encouraged spin bowling, but there is also a rich tradition of fast bowlers coming through this vibrant intersection of talent.
This corner of the world is a conveyor belt for natural talent, and there is great anticipation for the next hero who will light up the Eastern Cape. The modern new lights make the venue a shimmering lighthouse of fun at night, and the arrival of the SA20 is sure to add to the sense of anticipation around St George’s.
Many a night in Gqeberha has ended in dramatic fashion on the field, with the straight boundaries targeted by the most explosive stars – such as David Miller, who has put several balls onto the main road! This is the home of cricket that clicks, and the band and its accompanying choir cannot wait to welcome the world to this special corner of the cricket world.
NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN
Indisputably the most beautiful ground in world cricket. Nestled in the leafy Southern Suburbs of the Mother City, Newlands is framed by the timeless mountains, woken from its slumber by the train station, and brought to vivid life by an infectious energy right around the ground.
It is never quiet, thanks to a choir of iconic voices rousing up the crowd, offering ‘a lolly to make you jolly’ or the best prawns in the stadium. The grass embankment has its own, unique set of characters, dressed up in anything from full match gear to the Hashim Army.
They love their cricket here, because they know their cricket. Surrounded by some of the most esteemed cricket nurseries in the country, Newlands has always been the North Star for many an aspirational young cricketer to play – and for every fan of the game to come and enjoy a day’s cricket.
Sweltering temperatures, a cavernous Members’ Stand, the helping breeze bouncing off the mountains, and the iconic oaks completing the scene, Newlands is truly the most Instagrammable cricket venue in South Africa. Prepare to fall in love, all over again.
PAARL
Nestled in the heart of South Africa’s wine region, this charming venue packs a massive punch for its size – especially when it comes to atmosphere and energy. The sun lingers deep into the evening, painting the evening sky into a kaleidoscope of optimism.
This is a cricket escape – just an hour away from Cape Town, but a world away in terms of serenity. Here, the ice-cream vendors have a joke for every match situation, and the pitch keeps every bowler interested. A very fast outfield – and massive square boundaries – only add to the drama that Paarl routinely serves up on match day.
If you are making your way out to wine country, make time to sample the local delicacies. Start your day with a memorable morning on the golf course, enjoy a sumptuous lunch at one of the world-class vineyards, before closing off a perfect day with SA20 cricket with a vibe like no other. Paarl. Perfect.