Now into its fourth year as a T20 tournament, the Jozi Cup could lay claim – as some cheekily do – as being South Africa’s original T20 event.
Whatever, it continues to help define the Lions as South African cricket’s can-do province, with the cup competition serving to satisfy communities across the province and provide a vibrant pipeline for local talent.
In its first year, in 2022, 18 clubs and 1200 cricketers featured across various age groups. Last year, there were 26 clubs and 1800 participants, which reflects the appetite for winter cricket in the traditional off-season.
Indeed, the sight of youngsters (and veterans) limbering up on often icy weekend mornings and getting down to business offers a curious sense of charm and camaraderie.
This year will be even bigger with 129 teams already entered, comprising over 1900 participants for the Jozi Cup which will start next month and run through June. By the time the finals are played, over 500 matches will have been contested.
It’s a logistical challenge, but somehow the volunteers at clubs the length and breadth of the province get it done. An assortment of players contest the various divisions, from under-11 through to seniors, also taking in men’s and women’s open tournaments, plus a blind and veterans division. For the first time, an under-13 girls division will be in place, yet another building block in the Lions’ ambition to establish women’s cricket as a force.
