Kimberley is set to host the fans

DOORS OPEN FOR T20 KNOCKOUT CUP GAMES

Cricket-lovers in Kimberley can look forward to being the first spectators to resume watching live cricket at the ground. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that they are finalising plans to have a crowd in attendance for the first time since the Covid virus spread uncontrollably through the country 19 months ago, at next week’s T20 Provincial Knockout Cup.

With government having now given permission for up to 2 000 spectators to be allowed as long as all Covid procedures and precautions are followed, cricket is likely to be the second sport to open its doors, after 2 000 vaccinated fans were able to watch Bafana Bafana beat Ethiopia 1-0 in their World Cup qualifier. The CSA T20 Provincial Knockout Cup resumes with the quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Diamond Oval.

“Chances are that we will have our first set of spectators for the finals,” a CSA spokesperson confirmed to The Citizen. “We are finalising the logistics and we should be making an announcement soon.”

Tuesday’s action sees South-Western Districts take on the Northerns Titans, and then Free State Knights, who used to have Kimberley as one of their home venues, up against Western

Province.

KZN Dolphins versus Eastern Province Warriors and Boland Rocks against North-West Dragons are the other quarterfinals, both to be played on Wednesday.

The semifinals will take place on Thursday and the final on Friday.

SA Rugby announced on Wednesday that fully vaccinated supporters will be allowed to attend both club and professional matches.

With the four franchises all overseas playing in the United Rugby Championship, the first senior professional rugby match to be open to spectators is likely to be on 6 November when the Carling Champion XV take on Kenya at Loftus Versveld.