"Some of our boys were excited to watch cricket for the first time": Eric Tinkler – Manager, Cape Town City Football Club

Former South Africa footballer and the current manager of Cape Town City FC, Eric Tinkler, is an avid cricket follower and has a good knowledge of international cricket. The former South Africa football team coach has lauded the ongoing SA20 for bringing the crowd to the stadium.

Tinkler – the former South Africa football coach – brought the Cape Town City FC players to watch a game of MI Cape Town at The Newlands Cricket Ground and was mesmerized by the crowd turnout. 

When asked about their day out at the cricket stadium, Tinkler said they were enjoying it and revealed some of them were watching the sport for the first time in their life. 

“We had a training session this morning and we decided to bring the boys here for a little bit of a team-building exercise. We got a couple of boys that obviously had never seen a cricket match in their lives. You know, we've got a boy from Columbia and a boy from Venezuela. So we were sitting there and were explaining exactly what the rules of the game are to Cameroonians and a Congolese boy also, you know, they're not used to this type of sport, but they are really enjoying the occasion. And it's great,” he revealed.

Talking about the impact of the league on South African cricket, he said, “I think the fact that you got a lot of local players mixing with some of the biggest players around the world, and learning from them. It's about improving their development and we're starting to see the stadiums full again. I think that's been something that has been missing, really in our local cricket. And so far this tournament, the crowds have been absolutely phenomenal and I think that's, that's extremely important.”

When asked about his favorite team in SA20, the former footballer backed the local club MICT and hoped they go all the way and lift the trophy.

“Obviously, MI Cape Town they've been very good. I think the team is performing very well and they got some very good players. I'm hoping that they can go all the way,” he claimed.

Tinkler – who closely follows cricket – also revealed that he was excited to watch MICT's star pacer Jofra Archer live and even named some of his favorite cricketers participating in the tournament. 

“So many you know, Archer, I think he's a phenomenal bowler. First time I'm actually watching him live. I've always been a big fan of Kagiso Rabada, it’s great to see the speed at which he bowls, so I've also had to come and see him play today. I love watching (Rashid) Khan too, as a bowler he is an absolutely phenomenal spinner,” he stated.

The crowd at The Newlands Cricket ground has been incredible and have come out in large numbers to support their home team MI Cape Town. The inaugural game at the ground was completely sold out and the tickets to the remaining home games are going out rapidly.