Jacques Faul explains financial impact of no Test cricket this summer

The stadium, which is usually the stage for the coveted Boxing Day Test, will instead be one of the hosts for the SA20 tournament with its first match taking place on the 27th.

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport, Faul says there will be significant losses incurred due to this change in the traditional international calendar.

"In terms of revenue, you lose out on your food and beverages income, and of course gate income. Our sponsors will also get far less exposure on TV."

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The SA20 will fill in the gap for the cricket lovers with the competition commencing on December 26 but will not help much in terms of the finances, according to Faul.

He says they will actually lose money because they still would have had it early next year even if the Test cricket was played first.

Pressed for the exact figures in terms of the money they would be losing out on due to this, Faul could only say that the specific opposition determines the profits made.

South Africa will host both Australia and England next summer, which is sure to boost the income brackets for major venues all over the country.

He says that although Test cricket gives them much more coverage and overall income, there is space for it to co-exist along with the SA20 as has been the case in the previous three seasons.

"Hosting six days of SA20 cricket generates a much larger income for us compared to having five days of test cricket when it comes to the gate. However, our branding gets covered during SA20, so you also have to take into account that the exposure we receive for five days of test cricket is better than what we get from the SA20."