The Dolphins have signed Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje for this season’s T20 Challenge.
Nortje, whose previous appearance in South African domestic cricket was for the Warriors, has not played professional cricket since April 2025. That was for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
Nortje is not contracted by Cricket South Africa and has not played for the Proteas since June 2024.
“From a personal perspective and a group perspective, it’s going to be great to get back out on the park. I’m always positive, always motivated and excited, but when you get towards the end of injury rehabilitation you want to get going because you know what is around the corner,” said Nortje.
“So, the last week or two have probably been more frustrating than the other months. It has always been about trying to see the positives and working towards a new goal of being better than I was before, so I’m really happy where I am now and it’s all about getting out there and getting some games under my belt.”
“Dolphins head coach Quinton Friend added: “It’s massive for us as the Dolphins to rope in a bowler of Anrich’s calibre. He’s done some really special things on the international stage, in the IPL and in the SA20, so we know that he’s coming with a lot of experience.
“T20 cricket is one of the formats that he’s very good at and it’s hugely exciting having someone like Anrich Nortje in our squad for the T20 competition.”
The Dolphins ended last season’s T20 Challenge in last position. They won two and lost five matches. Their first match of this season’s T20 Challenge will be against the Tuskers at Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday.
“Anrich is a proven match-winner at international level and will be a crucial part of the Dolphins squad for the competition,” concluded Dolphins chief executive officer Heinrich Strydom.
“He is looking to make a return from injury and we’re excited that he chose the Dolphins to relaunch his career after a long period out with injuries. It’s fantastic to have our youngsters learn from someone like Anrich who has experience playing in T20 leagues around the world.”
Ryan Maron.
Meanwhile, fielding coach Ryan Maron will work with Western Province during the T20 Challenge.
This is Maron’s first formal role in South African domestic cricket since working with South Western Districts in the Africa Cup several years ago.
More recently, Maron has worked with Afghanistan and the West Indies in international cricket – and the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League.
The Lions are the reigning T20 Challenge champions. They beat the Titans in last season’s final.
