The national cricket team, the Proteas, called the North-West University “home” again when they used the university’s Sport Village in Potchefstroom as a base for their preparations.

The Proteas are playing against Sri Lanka in three one-day matches on the latter’s island home ground, after which three T20 matches will follow. Captain Temba Bavumba’s troops then face Australia in Abu Dhabi on 23 October, when they start their T20 World Cup campaign.

The Proteas used the Senwespark facilities adjacent to the Sport Village. This pitch is of course a familiar stomping ground to the Protea batsmen. In 2006 the Proteas swung their bats remorselessly to pile up 418 run for 5 wickets against Zimbabwe. In 2003 the conquering Aussies swung their bats in the World Cup at Senwespark in Potchefstroom. The Proteas, as well as many county and age-group cricket teams, regularly use the facilities at the NWU and Senwespark.