Cricket

Cricket at the University of Fort Hare dates back to the early 1900s.

Despite the sport being used as a means of segregating black and white players during the apartheid years, the institution continued to produce batsmen and bowlers of the highest calibre.

The advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994 brought new opportunities for players from the rural Eastern Cape to make their mark in the game.

Some of those who have gone on to represent their province or country include Jerry Ngqolo, Ayabonga Khaka, Nobulumnko Banethi, Zintle Mali and, most recently, wrist-spinner Nqaba Peter.

The university’s cricket club is known as the Fort Hare Forties and its dugout is filled with both men’s and women’s players who compete in various leagues within the broader Border region.

The institution is also home to the University of Fort Hare-Cricket South Africa Academy, run in partnership with CSA and Border Cricket.

The Academy aims to create a clear pipeline for talented rural cricketers and is open to all qualifying individuals around the country wanting to play the game professionally.

The Krish Mackerdhuj Cricket Complex, erected in 2004, includes a first-class level oval, superb net facilities, two junior fields, sight screens and a storage area.

The field hosted the Emerging Pakistan team in a triangular tournament against the Forties and an UFH-CSA team during their tour of South Africa in 2023.