Wanderers Cricket Stadium

About Wanderers Cricket Stadium

Nestled in the leafy suburb of Illovo, Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg is regarded as the premier cricketing stadium in South Africa.

Did you know? When the first Test started at the Wanderers on 24 December 1956, the stadium became the third South African and 41st international ground to host Test cricket.

Nestled in the leafy suburb of Illovo, Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg is regarded as the premier cricketing stadium in South Africa; certainly Wanderers cricket ground is the largest test venue in the country with a seating capacity of 34 000 and 182 suites, leased by large corporate companies.

Test, one day and first class cricket matches are played here, and it also serves as the home ground of the Highveld Lions. Wanderers stadium was originally completed in 1956, whereupon it immediately witnessed the best test bowling performance ever by local cricketer Hugh Tayfield, who took 9 for 113 in the 4th test against England in 1956/57.

On re-entering international cricket in 1991, Wanderers got a complete revamp that allowed the large stadium to stage the likes of the Cricket World Cup 2003 final, and the matches of the first T20 Worldcup in 2007. The grounds have also been used for rugby matches, like that of the 1980 international between South Africa and South America, whilst Ellis Park was being rebuilt.

The cricket stadium just happens to be right next door to the Wanderers Golf course, which not only hosts top events on its 18-hole course, rated in the top 40 golf courses in South Africa, but has earned top accolades for its 19th hole - reputed to offer some incredible views over the course.

It isn't often though that South Africans are forced to choose between the cricket stadium and the golf course when supporting local champions. If anything, they complement one another perfectly.