South Africa
Cricket Travel Redefined

South Africa has been my cricketing home for the best part of two decades. I've watched Test matches at the Wanderers in 40-degree heat, celebrated New Year at Newlands with Table Mountain behind the bowler's arm, and driven the Garden Route between series. There is no better place on earth for a cricket tour.

The combination of world-class cricket, stunning landscapes, incredible food and wine, and genuine warmth from the South African people makes every tour unforgettable. Whether it's your first time or your tenth, I promise you'll leave planning your return.

This guide is built from years of personal experience — every hotel recommended, every transfer timed, every restaurant tested. It's the guide I wish I'd had on my first trip, and it's updated before every tour.

Entry Requirements

UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter South Africa for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure date and must have at least 2 blank pages available for entry stamps. Ensure your passport is in good condition — damaged passports can be refused at immigration.

Health & Vaccinations

Consult your GP or a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before departure. No vaccinations are legally required for entry from the UK, but Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus boosters are commonly recommended. If you plan to visit the Kruger National Park or Victoria Falls areas, malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised — these are active malaria zones. The main cricket cities (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Centurion) are not malaria risk areas.

Currency

The South African Rand (ZAR) is the local currency. As a rough guide, the exchange rate is approximately 22.2 ZAR to 1 GBP, though this fluctuates. We recommend bringing GBP and exchanging locally at banks or Forex bureaux for the best rates — avoid airport exchange counters. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Tipping is customary: 10–15% in restaurants, R20–50 for porters, R50–100 per day for safari guides. Note the cash import limit is ZAR 25,000.

Mobile Phones

Check with your UK provider about international roaming packages before departure — roaming charges can be significant. Alternatively, purchase a local SIM card on arrival (Vodacom or MTN are the largest networks). SIM cards are available at the airport and in shopping centres. Data packages are affordable and coverage is excellent in all major cities.

Drinking Water

Tap water in South Africa's major cities is safe to drink and meets WHO standards. At cricket grounds, we recommend carrying bottled water — it's a long day in the sun and you'll need to stay hydrated. Most grounds have water refill stations.

Weather

December to January is peak summer in South Africa. Expect temperatures between 26–34°C on the Highveld (Johannesburg, Centurion) with afternoon thunderstorms common — these usually clear within an hour. Cape Town is generally cooler (22–28°C) with a persistent south-easterly breeze. Pack light, breathable clothing, a decent hat, strong sunscreen (SPF 50+), and a light layer for evenings — it can cool down quickly after sunset.

Power Adaptors

South Africa uses Type M three-prong round-pin plugs at 230V. These are different from UK and European plugs. Buy an adaptor before you travel or at the airport on arrival. Most hotels can lend adaptors but it's best to bring your own.

Getting Around

Domestic flights connect all major cities efficiently. South African Airways (SAA), FlySafair, and Kulula operate frequent services. Johannesburg to Cape Town is approximately 2 hours by air. Centurion is 30–40 minutes from central Johannesburg by road. We do not recommend self-driving for first-time visitors — private transfers and pre-arranged transport are safer and more convenient. Ground transfers are included in most operator packages — check individual tour inclusions for details.

Johannesburg is your gateway to South African cricket. Base yourself in Sandton — the commercial heart of the city, centred around Nelson Mandela Square. It's safe, walkable (within the Sandton precinct), packed with excellent restaurants, and perfectly positioned for the Wanderers.

Things to Do

• Apartheid Museum — essential, moving, world-class (allow 3–4 hours)
• Soweto township tour — guided tours including Mandela House on Vilakazi Street
• Montecasino — entertainment complex with restaurants, cinema, and casino
• SA National Museum of Military History — fascinating collection near the Wanderers
• Lion & Safari Park or Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve — for a wildlife fix without the Kruger drive

The Wanderers Stadium

Capacity 34,000. Known as the "Bullring" for its electric atmosphere. The pitch historically offers pace and bounce — fast bowlers love it, and it regularly produces dramatic results. The ground is compact and every seat feels close to the action. The atmosphere during an England Test is exceptional — expect a healthy mix of Barmy Army and passionate local support.

Recommended Hotels

Transfers

The Wanderers is 15–20 minutes from Sandton by car. OR Tambo International Airport is 45–50 minutes from Sandton (traffic dependent — allow extra time during rush hour, especially Friday afternoons). Transfers are pre-arranged in most operator packages.

SuperSport Park sits 22 miles north of Johannesburg in the Centurion suburb of Pretoria. The Christmas Test at SuperSport Park is a highlight of any South Africa tour — the atmosphere is relaxed, festive, and uniquely South African.

Things to Do

• Centurion Mall — large shopping and dining complex adjacent to the recommended hotel
• Golf — several excellent courses within 20 minutes including Centurion Golf Estate
• Acrobranch — zipline and treetop adventure course, great for families
• Pretoria day trip — Union Buildings, Church Square, Voortrekker Monument (30 mins drive)
• Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve — Big Five experience 45 minutes south

SuperSport Park

A modern, intimate ground with grass embankments that create a relaxed picnic-style atmosphere. Bring a blanket, a cooler bag (check ground regulations), and settle in. The pitch tends to be batsman-friendly with good carry for pace bowlers. Capacity is around 22,000 and it rarely feels overcrowded. The Barmy Army traditionally set up on the grass banks — it's one of the most sociable cricket watching experiences anywhere.

Recommended Hotel

Transfers

SuperSport Park is 5 minutes by car from the Centurion Lake Hotel, or a pleasant 15-minute walk. OR Tambo International Airport is 30–35 minutes by road. Most guests base in Centurion for the Test and transfer to Johannesburg or directly to Cape Town afterwards.

Cape Town needs no introduction. Table Mountain, the Atlantic seaboard, world-class winelands 45 minutes away, and Newlands — arguably the most beautiful cricket ground on the planet. The New Year Test at Newlands is the jewel in the crown of any South Africa tour.

Where to Stay — Areas

• V&A Waterfront — the tourist hub with restaurants, shopping, and harbour views. Central and buzzing.
• Sea Point / Green Point — relaxed Atlantic seaboard neighbourhood with the famous promenade. Great restaurants, slightly less touristy.
• Newlands / Claremont — leafy southern suburbs, closest to the cricket ground. Quieter, residential feel with excellent wine bars and cafes.

Things to Do

• Table Mountain cableway — go early or late to avoid queues, weather permitting
• Cape Peninsula tour — Chapman's Peak, Boulders Beach penguins, Cape Point
• Cape Winelands — Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl (45 mins from the city)
• Robben Island — book well in advance, ferries sell out
• V&A Waterfront — restaurants, Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz MOCAA art museum
• Shark cage diving — Gansbaai or Simon's Town (seasonal, weather dependent)
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens — stunning gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain
• Long Street — Cape Town's famous nightlife and restaurant strip
• Sea Point Promenade — beautiful coastal walk, perfect for rest days

Newlands Cricket Ground

The most picturesque cricket ground in the world. Table Mountain rises directly behind the Kelvin Grove End, framed by oak trees and the slopes of Devil's Peak. Capacity is approximately 25,000 and it sells out for England Tests. The atmosphere on New Year's Day is magical — expect a sun-drenched, carnival-like day with South African braai culture in full swing.

Recommended Hotels

Transfers

Cape Town International Airport to the V&A Waterfront is 25–30 minutes. Airport to Newlands is 20–25 minutes. The Vineyard Hotel to Newlands Cricket Ground is 10–15 minutes by car or a pleasant walk through the leafy southern suburbs. Transfers are pre-arranged in most operator packages.

Bloemfontein — the "City of Roses" — is the judicial capital of South Africa, sitting in the heart of the Free State. It's a quieter, more traditional South African city with a surprisingly rich history: J.R.R. Tolkien was born here in 1892.

Mangaung Oval is a compact, friendly ground that offers a classic, unhurried cricket experience. The 2nd and 3rd ODIs provide a perfect opportunity to experience cricket in the Free State heartland before heading home or extending your tour.

Boland Park in Paarl hosts the 1st ODI — a beautiful ground set in the heart of the Cape Winelands, just 45 minutes from Cape Town. The drive through the Winelands is stunning, passing through Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Many guests combine this match day with a wine tasting tour, making it one of the most memorable days of the trip.

Paarl itself is a charming town with excellent restaurants and wine estates. Consider staying overnight in the Winelands for the full experience — Babylonstoren, Grande Provence, and Leeu Estates are all exceptional.

Victoria Falls

A short flight from Johannesburg takes you to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. We recommend a minimum of 2 nights to do it justice. Activities include helicopter flights over the Falls ("The Flight of Angels"), elephant-back safaris, white-water rafting on the Zambezi, sunset cruises, and bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge. Best combined with the Johannesburg leg of the tour.

Kruger National Park

The ultimate Big Five safari experience. Kruger is accessible from Johannesburg (5–6 hours by road or 1 hour by air to Hoedspruit/Kruger Mpumalanga). Stay at lodges near Hazyview or Kruger Gate for the best access. Hippo Hollow is a popular mid-range option. We recommend at least 2–3 nights for a proper safari experience. Best combined before or after the Highveld Tests.

Garden Route

One of the world's great road trips. From Cape Town or Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route winds through Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and beyond. Expect lush forests, dramatic coastline, adventure activities (bungee at Bloukrans Bridge, the world's highest), and some of the best oysters you'll ever eat in Knysna. Allow 3–5 days for the full experience. Best combined after the Cape Town Test.