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 contested
1920–21 Western Province
1921–22 undecided
1922–23 not contested
1923–24 Transvaal
1924–25 not contested
1925–26 Transvaal
1926–27 Transvaal
1927–28 not contested
1928–29 not contested
1929–30 Transvaal
1930–31 not contested
1931–32 Western Province
1932–33 not contested
1933–34 Natal
1934–35 Transvaal
1935–36 not contested
1936–37 Natal
1937–38 Natal and Transvaal (shared)
1938–39 not contested
1939–40 not contested
1940–41 not contested
1941–42 not contested
1942–43 not contested
1943–44 not contested
1944–45 not contested
From 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 wickets
Transvaal v AIF – match drawn
Natal v AIF – AIF won by 310 runs
Natal v AIF – AIF won by an innings and 42 runs
Transvaal v AIF – AIF won by an innings and 14 runs
South Africa v AIF – AIF won by 8 wickets
South Africa v AIF – AIF won by an innings and 129 runs
Western Province v AIF – match drawn
The AIF team had players of the calibre of Jack Gregory, Herbie Collins, Bert Oldfield and Nip Pellew.
1st Test at Lord's, Durban – match drawn
2nd Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn
3rd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – Australia won by 10 wickets
England 1922–23
1st Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – South Africa won by 168 runs
2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – England won by 1 wicket
3rd Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn
4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn
5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – England won by 109 runs
England 1927–28
1st Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – England won by 10 wickets
2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – England won by 87 runs
3rd Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn
4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – South Africa won by 4 wickets
5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – South Africa won by 8 wickets
England 1930–31
1st Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – South Africa won by 28 runs
2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – match drawn
3rd Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn
4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn
5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn
1st Test at Kingsmead, Durban – Australia won by 9 wickets
2nd Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn
3rd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – Australia won by an innings and 78 runs
4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – Australia won by an innings and 184 runs
5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – Australia won by an innings and 6 runs
England 1938–39
1st Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn
2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town – match drawn
3rd Test at Kingsmead, Durban – England won by an innings and 13 runs
4th Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg – match drawn
5th Test at Kingsmead, Durban – match drawn
