Lions and Dolphins ⁣Named South⁤ Africa Cricket Champions

updated June 03, 2025

The lions ⁢and Dolphins have been⁣ declared cricket champions in South ⁣Africa after the coronavirus ⁣pandemic prematurely ended both the first-class and one-day cricket competitions. acting Director of Cricket Graeme Smith recommended awarding the titles based on standings, a suggestion approved ‍by Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) board.

The Lions clinched the first-class title, while the Dolphins secured the one-day⁤ cup. The only franchise competition completed in the 2019/20 summer was the Mzansi Super League (MSL), won ⁢by⁤ the Paarl rocks.

⁢ ⁤ However,the future of⁢ the MSL is in doubt. CSA ⁣struggled to secure television rights for the tournament’s first two seasons, absorbing approximately ⁤$6.8 million‍ in costs annually. Sources indicate the ‍MSL may ⁣be discontinued ⁣if ⁤it continues to strain‍ CSA’s finances. Discussions are ongoing to ‍determine the next steps for the league. The‍ search for sponsors is also underway after the‍ country’s flagship four-day ⁣competition ran without⁢ a corporate sponsor for the second consecutive season.
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Despite ⁤Enoch Nkwe’s departure to ⁢the national side ⁣in September 2019, the Johannesburg-based Lions maintained their dominance in the four-day format. Under new⁣ coach Wandile Gwazu,the Lions won ⁣four of their eight matches,surpassing all⁢ other franchises.

The Dolphins’ one-day cup victory occurred under the leadership of Imraan Khan. As champions, the Dolphins will receive 40% of the prize money, ‍sponsored by Momentum, a⁤ financial services company. The‍ remaining funds⁣ will be ⁤divided among the Lions, Warriors, and Knights, who ⁢would have participated in the semi-finals.

⁤ At the provincial level, the first-class three-day competition and provincial one-day⁤ cup titles were jointly awarded. Easterns and Kwa-Zulu Natal share the three-day cup, while free State and Northern Cape are joint one-day cup winners.
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⁤ ⁤ Smith stated that using average points per game was the fairest method to⁢ determine final⁣ standings in provincial competitions were teams played unequal numbers of matches.
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⁣Western Province won‍ the women’s ⁢provincial T20 league, finishing atop the “Top ⁤6” group. North West secured the fifty-over competition title, edging out‍ Western Province by one point.

What’s next

CSA will ⁢continue to evaluate the financial⁣ viability of the MSL and seek sponsorship opportunities to⁢ ensure the sustainability of south⁤ Africa ‍cricket.