The South African Cricketers’ Association have told players the structure of domestic cricket across the country will remain the same next season.
South African domestic cricket returned to provincial from franchise competition in 2021.
In 2023, the Knights were the first to be relegated from division one to two in the new system.
This year, the Tuskers will likely be promoted to division one again, while one of Western Province, the Warriors, Dolphins or North West will be relegated to division two. The Lions, Titans and Boland have all but retained first division status.
“A number of players and agents have been in contact with SACA given the recent newspaper reports of an imminent change to the domestic cricket structure. This communication serves to correct a number of misconceptions and provide players with important information as to the challenges cricket is facing,” SACA chief executive officer Andrew Breetzke wrote in a memo to players.
“The discussions on the domestic structure have revolved around three possible scenarios – an eight-team structure, 10-team structure, or the status quo of 15 teams.
“Please take note that there will be no changes in the domestic structure for the 2025-26 season. No decisions have been made as to the future structure of the game.
“The position of the SACA executive committee is the sustainability of cricket in South Africa is not only about the structure of the domestic game, it must cover all aspects of CSA’s cost base.”
Dolphins and Knights.
The Titans or Dolphins will meet Boland in this month’s One-Day Cup, division one, final. The Tuskers and Border will contest the One-Day Cup, division two final.
The Lions currently occupy first position in the 4-Day Domestic Series, division one, and the Warriors are in last position. Northern Cape currently occupy first position in the 4-Day Domestic Series, division two, and Easterns are in last position.
The Lions won this year’s T20 Challenge – and the Dolphins ended in last position. The Tuskers won this season’s T20 Knockout – and Border ended in last position.