
Can SA end trophy drought?
JOHANNESBURG - The Proteas have 65 million more reasons to end the county's trophy drought when they face Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's next month.
The ICC announced the official prize money, for the much-anticipated clash, with the winners walking away with $3.6million (R65m).
During the week, coach Shukri Conrad announced the 15-player squad who will represent South Africa in the final.
Cricket analyst Lungani Zama believes the ultimate goal is to get a probable squad in 2027 to get a chance to win the trophy.

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The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Former Proteas cricketer convicted in T20 match-fixing scandal
Former Proteas, Lions and Titans player Gulam Bodi was the first to be convicted and sentenced. A 43-year-old former Proteas cricketer has been convicted on a charge of corruption linked to the 2015–2016 T20 Ram Slam match-fixing scandal. Ntateko Ethy Mbhlati appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court this week, where he was found guilty of match fixing and sentenced. This brings to four the number of former players who have been convicted and sentenced in relation to the T20 match-fixing scandal. Match fixing In 2016, an anti-corruption official at Cricket South Africa (CSA) received information about allegations of match fixing by a former player. The former player approached several South African cricket players to participate in a scheme to fix three 2015 and 2016 T20 Ram Slam matches. A preliminary investigation revealed that at least six cricket players were approached by the former player and bookmakers from India to participate in the match-fixing scheme. On 26 October 2016, the anti-corruption unit at Cricket South Africa reported the matter to the Hawks' Serious Corruption investigation team for further investigation. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said that the successful investigation led to the arrest and conviction of three cricket players in 2018 and 2022. ALSO READ: Former SA cricket players arrested for match-fixing scandal Investigation 'On 18 November 2024, Mbhalati was arrested, and in the same month, both [Lonwabo] Tsotsobe and [Thami] Tsolekile were also apprehended. Mbhalati appeared in court on several occasions until his recent conviction. 'The court sentenced Mbhalati to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence during the period of suspension, ' Mogale said. Other Proteas Mogale said Tsotsobe and Tsolekile's cases are still ongoing, and they will make their next appearance in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 2 October 2025. A former Proteas, Lions and Titans player, Gulam Bodi, was the first to be convicted in this case, receiving a five-year imprisonment sentence in October 2019, after he admitted to charges of attempting to fix matches in the same series. Bodi acted as an intermediary for international betting syndicates, approaching certain players with a view to engaging in fixing activities during the competition. ALSO READ: Former Lions cricketer Jean Symes sentenced for match-fixing


The South African
15 hours ago
- The South African
Former Proteas coach Rob Walter named New Zealand boss
Former South Africa coach Rob Walter has been named as New Zealand's new coach, across all three formats of the game. The 49-year-old South African takes up the Black Caps job from the middle of June, and will lead the side on their upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Walter was an early favourite for the job, after he quit his South African post leading their One Day and T20 sides in April. It was revealed Walter never stopped living in New Zealand during his time with South Africa, commuting from his home in Hawke's Bay, where he lives with wife Heather and their two sons. 'The Black Caps have been a successful and highly-regarded team on the world scene for some time now and it's a real privilege to be given the chance to add to that,' Walter said. 'It's an amazing opportunity to work with such a talented group of players and support staff through a period of time in which so many global events, as well as massive bilateral series, will be contested.' Walter's contract means he will lead the Black Caps to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, as well as three major ICC tournaments, including the 2027 World Cup. NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink said Walter was a world class coach with outstanding pedigree. 'His success in New Zealand's domestic game, combined with his recent achievements on the global stage with South Africa, makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Black Caps.' Walter previously coached the Otago Volts in New Zealand's domestic competitions from 2016 until 2021, before moving to Hawke's Bay and briefly coaching the Central Stags. In January 2023, he took up the job as South Africa's head coach in white ball formats, leading South Africa to the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, and semifinals of the 2023 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy. He replaces Gary Stead, New Zealand's most successful coach, who leaves his role at the end of the month. Stead hoped to stay on as the Black Caps' Test coach, but New Zealand Cricket opted for one coach across all three formats. He won the World Test Championship in 2021, and made three white ball finals during his seven year tenure. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse


Eyewitness News
16 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
2 former Proteas back in court in October as match-fixing case continues
JOHANNESBURG - Two former Proteas, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Thami Tsolekile, will be back in the Palm Ridge Commercial Crimes Court in October as the high-profile match-fixing case against them continues to unfold. The case dates back to a 2015-2016 Ram Slam T20 tournament, where a network of former cricketers allegedly worked with illegal bookmakers to fix match outcomes for cash. This week, former fast bowler Ntaketo Mbalati became the fourth ex-player to be convicted. He was handed a five-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to corruption. Hawks investigators said the scheme involved at least six players who were approached by a former Protea and Indian syndicates to fix key moments in domestic games. "Corruption undermines the integrity of sport and the Hawks are determined to safeguard the values of fairness and professionalism in all of society. We thank Cricket SA for their co-operation and commitment to addressing this scourge," said Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale. Tsotsobe and Tsolekile were both banned by Cricket South Africa in 2016 after an internal probe but now face criminal charges, alongside former player Jean Symes. The case has been postponed to 7 October.