Written by Richard Yule, Managing Director, International Cricket Tours
The highly-anticipated England men’s tour to South Africa is fast approaching and it’s about time cricket fans were given the opportunity to visit (or return) to this wondrous destination. Whether it is spectacular scenery, dynamic culture or a dizzying array of safari encounters South Africa really does deliver unforgettable experiences.
Cape Town
Cape Town in particular is one of my personal favourite places to visit. So what better location to begin my swift reconnaissance mission in preparation of the forthcoming tour? First on the itinerary is, of course, the iconic Newlands Cricket Ground. It’s a rainy and gloomy winter’s morning in central Cape Town as we depart for the stadium. As if by some climatic sorcery we suddenly leave behind us the mist and cloud that engulfs the city. As we enter the suburbs, we are met with blue skies and bright sunlight. The sunglasses are adorned and the smiles widen, this is more like it!
Newlands is all but in a winter slumber with the only signs of life being a slew of construction workers struggling to look busy. However, the calm gives us free reign to wander around this legendary venue. Similar to many older cricket grounds Newlands has a disjointed array of grandstands, pavilions and grass banks surrounding the playing area. Curiously one section of the ground is an office block. It is worth noting that a good portion of the seats are exposed with little or no shade (check out our seating and hospitality options).
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Dominating all this, and the venue’s saving grace, is the magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain. In terms of world cricket locations there are few vistas that rival this view.
Back to Cape Town which is now emerging from its cloudy cocoon. Even in the depth of the winter season the city bustles and throngs with sightseers and locals going about their business. For visitors to Cape Town the charming V&A Waterfront remains the place for shopping and dining. All of our featured tour hotels are within walking distance or a short taxi ride away from the 500+ shops and 80+ restaurants. Top tip, Ubers are cheap and plentiful within the city. There are regular boat trips from the Harbour that provide phenomenal views from the sea. Frequent ferries depart to Robben Island so you can follow in the footsteps of the great Nelson Mandela. And, if you want the bird’s eye view of the Cape Peninsula in all its awe-inspiring glory there are also helicopter trips from the Waterfront itself.
Beyond the V&A Waterfront there are a plethora of sightseeing options. Boulders Beach, Cape Point, the Winelands, Kirstenbosch Gardens and it’s difficult to forget the imposing natural landmark of Table Mountain itself. The cable car transports those unwilling or unable to tackle the mountain on foot for the truly magnificent views from the summit.
Escaping the magnetic draw of Table Mountain I take the 45-minute drive to Paarl cricket ground where the ODI series tour will commence. The ground is attractively undeveloped if you are an enthusiast of cricket played in a more traditional setting. Grass banks dominant the viewing area with two modest size stands interrupting the surrounding green oval. Framed by Paarl Mountain the venue has a dramatic amphitheatre-like setting. Those staying on for this match after Cape Town will revel in the change of pace (no cricket pun intended) and location.
ODI cricket in The Winelands
Thirty minutes down the road is the historic town of Franschhoek, our intended base for the first ODI. If you have been lucky enough to visit Franschhoek before, you will agree it is a lovely corner of the world. Literally, as Franschhoek means ‘French Corner’. Ragged and compelling mountains command the skyline in almost every direction. Their piedmont slopes adorned with ordered lines of grapevines, attesting to another excellent reason to visit Franschhoek, wine! As well as wine tasting Franschhoek has an idyllic Cape Dutch style town centre with boutique shops, bars and cafes well worth spending some time. Saturdays are especially good time to visit as this is Franschhoek market day. It features local street food, handmade crafts, and live music in the shade of the historic local oak trees.
Johannesburg and Pretoria
With some reluctance I leave this tranquil oasis for the urban sprawl of Johannesburg/Pretoria. As a destination to visit for cricket purposes I highly rate Johannesburg as it fulfils the Test match mantra. Let me explain, the Test match mantra is (watch) cricket, eat, sleep then repeat (for up to 5 days). Great stadiums in both the Wanderers and SuperSport Park for the cricket. Affordable top class city restaurants and hotels complete the fundamental requirements of a cricket tourist. In addition to the cricket, I found the Soweto and Apartheid Museum tours to be both enjoyable and educational.
My trip concludes here, in Joburg, but as I depart this fascinating and enticing country I always feel there is so much more to discover. I’m counting down the days until December.
We still have limited availability for this tour if you wish to join ICT in South Africa.
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