Cricket and Cape Society

Cricket and Cape Society is a critical and comprehensive historical examination of St Augustine Cricket Club, using it as a powerful lens to explore the intricate relationships between cricket, history, and South African society.
Many South African cricket histories and biographies have emerged over the years; however, no cricket historical narratives have examined the relationship between local cricket and international history. With extensive archival research, oral histories, and post-colonial theory, this book utilises a case study approach to explore the relationship between race, class, gender, national belonging and cricket in South Africa. Set against the backdrop of urbanisation, apartheid, and shifting social structures, it examines how the game reflected and resisted broader imperial and post-apartheid ideologies. The club's story becomes a powerful microcosm of South Africa's contested histories, offering fresh insights into how sport both shapes and is shaped by the socio-political landscape.
This book is ideal for scholars and students of history, sociology, sports studies, and African studies, as well as general readers interested in the cultural politics of sport.

List of contents

Introduction 1. Cricket in Cape Town, 1806-1992 2. A 'Civilised' and 'Civilising' Game 3. Pre-1991 Unification 4. Post-1991 Unification 5. Hassan Howa. Friend and Foe 6. Streets of Play 7. St Augustine Stories

About the author

Francois Johannes Cleophas is an associate professor in sport history at Stellenbosch University.

Product details

• Authors: Francois Johannes Cleophas
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 25.02.2026
• EAN: 9781041133957
• ISBN: 978-1-041-13395-7
• No. of pages: 286
• Series: Routledge Research in Sports History
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; cricket, SPORTS & RECREATION / History, HISTORY / Africa / South / Republic of South Africa, SPORTS & RECREATION / Cricket, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa, Sports teams & clubs, history of sport, African History, Sports teams and clubs