Claremont Cricket Club first played in 1867 and was formally constituted in 1876. The first ‘home’ of the Club was on Palmyra Road, Claremont, adjacent to the railway station. This property was expropriated by the South African Railways and Harbours in the 1960’s and the Club moved to Constantia Sports Centre in 1970, where it remains to this day.
The Club is the third oldest club in the Western Province and the fourth oldest in South Africa. It has played a significant role in the administration of both its provincial and national collectives, dating from the formation of the Western Province Cricket Union in the late 1800’s, to this day. Claremont has, over the years, provided a number of senior members in leadership roles within these bodies.
Claremont has delivered a considerable number of provincial and international players to Western Province and South Africa, as reflected on the honours board in the Club’s pavilion. In addition, well known international players from different countries have played for and coached at our Club over the years. Various countries have prepared at our facilities for ICC events held in South Africa and for tours of the country, and continue to do so. Similarly, a number of England counties come to Claremont to prepare for their ‘new’ season.
Over the more than 150 years of the Club’s existence, many events of international significance and thus historical impact, have taken place. In the extensive history which follows this introduction, those events are the overarching backdrop to the history of our Club. Amongst others, the Boer War of 1899/1902 and the two World Wars, 1914/18 and 1939/45. South Africa’s sporting and economic isolation. Nelson Mandela’s freedom and the democracy which followed. Through all of these and other events, Claremont has overcome many challenges and remains at the forefront of club cricket in our province and country.
The reader of the history will be met with the events, names, deeds and historical significance referred to in the previous few paragraphs, whether on or off the field. Much of it is in considerable detail. Cricket is very much about detail! It is not just about Claremont and its opponents but goes beyond that to provincial and international levels. Thus, there are three volumes covering the history of our Club, which has existed over three centuries for more than 150 years. There are almost 1500 pages, references, a preface, the author’s acknowledgements etc.
The period of this recorded history closes as at the end of the 2021/2022 season. History moves on. Claremont enters the 2023/2024 at the time of writing, having won both Premier League formats in the 2022/2023 season and has been acknowledged by the Western Province Cricket Association as the ‘Club of the Season’.
Follow the link below to access ‘The History of Claremont Cricket Club’.