SWD CEO: We hope the Pro20 Cup will revive domestic T20 cricket in South Africa

Albertus Kennedy.

Division one and two teams will compete against each other in the Pro20 Cup during the 2026-27 domestic season in South Africa.

Previously, division one teams contested the T20 Challenge and division two teams contested the T20 Knockout.

South Western Districts have been grouped with fellow division two teams Limpopo, Border and Northern Cape – and division one teams North West, the Lions, Warriors and Dolphins – for the Pro20 Cup.

The other group comprises division two teams Mpumalanga, Easterns and the Tuskers alongside division one teams Western Province, the Knights, Titans and Boland.

“We hope that the Pro20 Cup will revive domestic T20 cricket in South Africa. We hope it will draw more attention and following,” SWD chief executive officer Albertus Kennedy told Club Cricket SA.

“In the past, we’ve seen division two teams upset division one teams, so there is always the opportunity for surprise results.”

First-class cricket in division two has become the 1st Class Shield. Matches will be contested across three days. Previously, matches were contested across four days in the 4-Day Domestic Series, division two. In division one, the 4-Day Domestic Series has been rebranded the 1st Class Series and retained four-day matches.

“We must understand why this new structure has been implemented – it transpired from a sustainability exercise conducted by Cricket South Africa,” added Kennedy.

“In a way, coaches are going to have to plan cleverly in division two, with back-to-back first-class and one-day cricket – teams, travel, logistics, etc. Also, it could happen that you play the one-day game on the same pitch that was used for the three-day game.”

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