Newlands’ Braam Mong was named SA20 Groundsman of the Season recently.
MI Cape Town were unbeaten at Newlands during the 2025 SA20 – and won the title.
Mong was groundsman when January 2024’s Test between South Africa and India at Newlands ended inside two days. The International Cricket Council deemed the Newlands pitch “unsatisfactory” at the time.
Mong and Newlands hosted another Test in early 2025, when South Africa beat Pakistan inside four days.
“After facing a challenging year as a result of the outcome of the Test against India in January 2024, Mong and his team made an exceptional turnaround to revert Newlands back to the ground it once was,” read a statement from Western Province Cricket Association chief executive officer Corrie van Zyl.
“We congratulate Braam and his support staff for this amazing achievement and we praise them for the commitment and dedication shown in their preparation throughout the winter and their skilled management of the outfield and the playing surfaces during the season, which assisted Newlands to regain its status as a premier venue for international and domestic cricket, fitting to its iconic status.”
Mong has succeeded Centurion’s Bryan Bloy as SA20 Groundsman of the Season. Bloy won the award in 2024, when the Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the SA20 title.
“The award is a testament to the consistent hard work and dedication that goes into preparing and maintaining the Newlands pitch. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that hard work recognised, and I’m grateful to build on last season’s success to once again deliver quality surfaces that players and fans can enjoy,” added Mong.