The sixth edition of the popular Varsity Cricket tournament will see eight teams vying for the 2022 title between 3 and 5 October at the University of Pretoria.
They say a change is as good as a holiday and after a two-year break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the new short and sharp format is sure to be a major hit amongst cricket fans that will converge on Tuks for the Festival of Varsity Sports.
A bumper three days of Varsity Cricket awaits the competing universities where momentum, fitness and squad depth will play a large role in deciding the winner.
Defending champions Tuks are eyeing their fifth title in six attempts. Victory will be even sweeter if they can accomplish it on their home ground, after previously taking the spoils in Potchefstroom. NWU are the only side that has been able to break Tuks’ dominance in the competition, having beaten the Pretoria-based side by four wickets in 2017.
Here is what you need to know about 2022 Varsity Cricket.
Tournament format
Each team will play three matches in a round-robin format, which replaces the log format used in previous editions of Varsity Cricket.
The top two teams from each of the two pools will qualify for the semi-finals on 4 October, with the winners progressing to the final on 5 October.
There will also be playoff matches for third to eighth places to determine the final positions for universities.
Participating teams
Teams are divided into two pools of four.
Pool A: Maties, UWC, UJ, CUT
Pool B: Tuks, NWU, UCT, Madibaz
Time and fixtures
The opening match on 3 October is a mouth-watering clash between old rivals Tuks and NWU.
A Cape derby between UWC and Maties will also light up the first day of action.
Previous winners and notable players
2015: Tuks beat Maties
2016: Tuks beat UWC
2017: NWU beat Tuks
2018: Tuks beat NWU
2019: Tuks beat UJ
Since the start of Varsity Cricket in 2015, eight players have represented the Proteas at international level. This list includes Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Janneman Malan, Wihan Lubbe, Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, Zubayr Hamza and Bjorn Fortuin.
Players that have participated in Varsity Cricket and who have represented South African or competed at franchise level:
Tuks: Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Jacques Snyman
NMU: Edward Moore, Anrich Nortje, Onye Nyaku, Solo Nqweni, Stefan Tait
NWU: Marques Ackerman, Wihan Lubbe, Andre Malan, Janneman Malan, Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rapulana
UFS: Corne Dry, Leus du Plooy, Michael Erlank, Andries Gous
UJ: Grant Roeloefsen, Delano Potgieter, Yaseen Valli
Maties: Isma-eel Gafaldien
Featured games will be broadcast live on SuperSport and you can see the fixtures HERE.
The Festival of Varsity Sports will continue with Varsity Hockey on 5, 6 October and 7s Rugby on 7, 8 October proudly brought to you by Suzuki and FNB.
by Wouter Pienaar
