This article describes the history of South African cricket from the aftermath of the First World War in 1919 to the end of the Second World War in 1945.
Domestic first-class matches focused on the Currie Cup competition which, although it was the national championship, was not always contested because of travel constraints and other reasons. The Currie Cup was not held in seasons when there was a Test tour of South Africa, though it was held in 1931–32 when the South African Test side travelled to Australia and New Zealand.
1919–20 not contested1920–21 Western Province1921–22 undecided1922–23 not contested1923–24 Transvaal1924–25 not contested1925–26 Transvaal1926–27 Transvaal1927–28 not contested1928–29 not contested1929–30 Transvaal1930–31 not contested1931–32 Western Province1932–33 not contested1933–34 Natal1934–35 Transvaal1935–36 not contested1936–37 Natal1937–38 Natal and Transvaal (shared)1938–39 not contested1939–40 not contested1940–41 not contested1941–42 not contested1942–43 not contested1943–44 not contested1944–45 not contestedFrom the outset of the war, South Africa was actively involved as a member of the Allies. The war brought austerity and cricket was considered by many to be frivolous in such circumstances. Only one first-class game was played in South Africa during the wartime seasons.
This match took place during the 1942 New Year period at Newlands in Cape Town between Western Province and Transvaal. It ended in a draw. Western Province batted first and scored 237 in 79.1 overs. In reply, James Pickerill's 71 was the top score and Reginald Lofthouse's 4–63 was the best return as Transvaal made 251 for 8 declared. Sidney Kiel top-scored in the match with 128 not out as Western Province declared on 236 for 8. This didn't quite leave enough time for a result and Transvaal had made 166–6 when stumps were drawn.
Western Province v AIF – AIF won by 2 wicketsTransvaal v AIF – match drawnNatal v AIF – AIF won by 310 runsNatal v AIF – AIF won by an innings and 42 runsTransvaal v AIF – AIF won by an innings and 14 runsSouth Africa v AIF – AIF won by 8 wicketsSouth Africa v AIF – AIF won by an innings and 129 runsWestern Province v AIF – match drawnThe AIF team had players of the calibre of Jack Gregory, Herbie Collins, Bert Oldfield and Nip Pellew.
1st Test at Lord's, Durban – match drawn2nd Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn3rd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – Australia won by 10 wicketsEngland 1922–23
1st Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – South Africa won by 168 runs2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – England won by 1 wicket3rd Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – England won by 109 runsEngland 1927–28
1st Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – England won by 10 wickets2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – England won by 87 runs3rd Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – South Africa won by 4 wickets5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – South Africa won by 8 wicketsEngland 1930–31
1st Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – South Africa won by 28 runs2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – match drawn3rd Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn1st Test at Kingsmead, Durban – Australia won by 9 wickets2nd Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn3rd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – Australia won by an innings and 78 runs4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – Australia won by an innings and 184 runs5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – Australia won by an innings and 6 runsEngland 1938–39
1st Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – match drawn3rd Test at Kingsmead, Durban – England won by an innings and 13 runs4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn