Proteas Test stars shine in opening round of domestic first-class action

By SABC Sport
14th September 2026

Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma shone with the bat in the opening round of the domestic first-class competition, but there was an injury concern for fast bowler Lungi Ngidi who hobbled off injured.

Lions vs Boland

Ricketon followed up his 49 in the first innings with 127 in the second innings while playing for Lions against the Boland at the Wanderers, while Proteas Test and ODI captain Bavuma struck 91.

South Africa U19 fast bowler JJ Basson also impressed for the Lions on first-class debut, taking 7-62 and 4-37 to finish with match figures of 11-99 in a game that eventually ended in a draw.

Titans v Dolphins

Ngidi took 1-28 in eight bowlers in the first innings for the Titans against the Dolphins at Centurion, but the paceman left the field midway through his eighth over in the second innings clutching his left leg.

The extent of the injury is not yet known with Ngidi expected to join the Proteas' ODI squad on Saturday ahead of the three-match series against Australia.

Marco Jansen looked in fine form for the Titans, taking 3-39 and 4-61, while Proteas Test spinner Simon Harmer struck 56 with the bat as the home team beat the Dolphins by an innings and 60 runs.

Donovan Ferreira, who has three ODI caps and 16 T20I appearances for the Proteas, scored the first century of the season in domestic cricket with 163 in the Titans first innings total of 421.

Keshav Maharaj got through a big workload for the Dolphins, bowling 32 overs to finish with figures of 1-111 but could not prevent his team from falling to a heavy defeat.

Cobras v Warriors

Tristan Stubbs would be disappointed that he did not capitalise on a good start while playing for the Warriors at Newlands in Cape Town, the Proteas batter making 46 in the first innings and following that up with 11 in the second innings against the Cobras.

Warriors captain Senuran Muthusamy scored 61 and then took 3-17 with left-arm spin in 11 overs, while Proteas Test wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne struck 43 for the Cobras.

David Bedingham, who is looking to be recalled to the Proteas Test side, was dismissed for just 5 in the first innings and was unbeaten on 23 when the game was eventually declared a draw due to bad weather.