Once teammates, now rival coaches, Robin Peterson and Rory Kleinveldt clash in Gqeberha
CSA Four-Day Series
Robin Peterson is confident that the current ODI squad is experienced enough to deliver good performances at the World Cup. Robin Peterson is confident that the current ODI squad is experienced enough to deliver good performances at the World Cup. Picture: Shaun Roy BackpagePix
Image: Shaun Roy BackpagePix
The Cricket South Africa Four-Day Series will kick off the 2025/26 domestic season this week, with the opening round of fixtures scheduled to take place across the country.
Last season’s joint-winners, the Titans, will be travelling to Paarl to take on coach Justin Ontong’s Boland.
The Titans’ newly appointed head coach, Rivash Gobind, will be hoping to start his tenure on a positive note as he leads the 'Sky Blues' for the first time since his appointment.
On the other hand, Ontong will be hoping to secure a good start at home, having made several key player signings over the winter.
Perhaps the biggest clash of the opening round will be the one taking place down at St George’s Park Cricket Stadium in Gqeberha, where the Warriors will host Western Province.
What makes this clash fascinating has more to do with the two men in charge of the two teams, former teammates and now rival coaches, Warriors’ Robin Peterson and the newly appointed Province coach Rory Kleinveldt.
Peterson has proven his coaching credentials over the last few years, having turned the Warriors into a respectable unit in domestic cricket, while Kleinveldt returns to the South African domestic scene, having spent time coaching in County Cricket in the United Kingdom.
To close off the opening round, the North West Dragons will host the Tuskers at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom. The Tuskers return to Division One cricket following an impressive 2024/25 season in Division Two.
The Pietermaritzburg side has made some serious signings over the winter, including that of former Proteas all-rounder Wayne Parnell and fast bowler Hardus Viljoen, as they aim to solidify their spot in the country’s top-flight division.
The Dragons released a number of players over the winter but have brought in promising players, including all-rounder Dian Forrester, as they will be looking to start the season well.
The Johannesburg-based Lions, last season’s joint winners, and the Durban-based Dolphins will get their campaign started on the second of October when the second round of fixtures gets underway.