Wednesday, 8 April 2020
Lungani Zama is an international freelance sport and travel journalist, and a regular contributor to New Frame.
The Sharks captain started the year as a world champion, his challenge to lead the Durban franchise to Super Rugby glory. But Covid-19 had other ideas, forcing Am to contemplate a grim new reality.
Sport is a welcome escape from real life. But Covid-19 is spreading rapidly around the world and the communal nature of sports events, for players and fans, provides the perfect breeding ground.
The Tiger Cubs roared to glory at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, evidence of the changing landscape of the sport as new cricketing nations challenge the status quo.
The inspirational former Proteas captain may have left during a dark period in South African cricket but his captaincy was illuminated with bright days, especially against Australia.
The Proteas Women spinner is one of the most colourful characters on the team, creating a positive atmosphere in the changing room ahead of South Africa’s pursuit of history at the T20 World Cup.
The Springbok captain could have earned more money in Japan or the US, especially now being signed to a major management label. But he chose the Stormers and a chance at his first domestic title.
England humbled the Proteas on home soil with a 3-1 Test series victory. The poor SA performance reflected political turmoil off the pitch, but there are signs that they can bounce back.
Quinton de Kock’s cricketing brain has made him South Africa’s new ODI skipper. But if his batting genius is to win games on its own, first he must give up the keeper’s gloves.
Aphelele Fassi has dazzled in a short time, leading to a belief that he will soon join the list of rugby players who have graduated from the Shark Tank to the Springbok No. 15 jersey.
Japan and Nigeria will be playing in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup for the first time, giving a glimpse of cricket to come from these nations at a tournament known for launching careers.
South Africa need to tap into that day-five magic at the next cricket Test in Port Elizabeth, much like English allrounder Ben Stokes did at Newlands to take the series to 1-1 at the midway point.
The former Protea batsman took 13 children from the Gary Kirsten Foundation on a trip they will never forget, breaking bread with cricketing royalty and playing on some of the finest British pitches.
The administrative shenanigans of Cricket South Africa eclipsed the Proteas’ dismal performance in the Cricket World Cup, bringing the game to its knees.
The spinner regained his love for cricket in the Caribbean, where his eccentric celebrations were encouraged. It has led to a magical showing from Shamsi, with and without the ball.
The Proteas’ opening batsman has been typecast as a Test cricketer only, but he and those who have played with him know that Elgar has what it takes to be a star in white-ball cricket.
The Springboks are the toast of the country while the Proteas are drowning in despair. But the Boks were there not so long ago. Can the cricketers turn it around like their rugby brethren?
The Springboks’ Rugby World Cup triumph will have a lasting impact on a sport that is still viewed along the colour line. It lifted the mood of the country, but there are things that it won’t change.
The Proteas’ batting coach for their disastrous Indian tour was a man who’d been looking forward to playing Test cricket for his country, even though it didn’t play out that way for Amol Muzumdar.
The drubbing India has inflicted on South Africa, and the Proteas’ woeful display, have made this a cricket tour to forget. But it could prepare the newer members of the team for the future.
South Africa won the Blind Cricket World Cup in 1998, but the sport has fallen on tough times despite being a lifeline for players such as KwaZulu-Natal Blind Cricket president Ndu Nyawose.
The series in India is part of the South African national team’s preparations for the T20 World Cup. It comes at an exciting time for women’s cricket with its inclusion in the Mzansi Super League.