By Estea Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Johannesburg: South Africa’s domestic cricket season is set for an exciting start, with several teams welcoming new players ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The opening round of the 1st Class Series begins on Thursday, with established stars and new signings ready to make their mark.
The defending champions, DP World Lions, have added Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee from the Momentum Multiply Titans.
Coetzee gives the Lions another international quality option with the ball and will be a valuable addition for bowling coach Allan Donald.
The Lions have also welcomed back former Proteas star Quinton de Kock, who returns to the DP World Wanderers Stadium more than a decade after leaving the club where his career began.
De Kock brings enormous experience with both bat and gloves and will be one of the biggest names in the domestic competition.
Titans add three key players The Momentum Multiply Titans have also been busy in the off season.
They have signed Eathan Bosch from the Dolphins, Sinethemba Qeshile from the Dafabet Warriors and Evan Jones from the Lions.
The Titans will hope the new additions can help them build on their Dafabet Pro50 title from last season.
Dolphins bring Roelofsen back
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins finished third in both the Pro20 and 1st Class Series last season and have responded by bringing Grant Roelofsen back to Durban.
The 30 year old batter left the Dolphins two years ago for Boland and enjoyed an impressive spell there.
He made franchise history by scoring 227 against North West Dragons, the highest first class score by a Dolphins player.
The Dolphins have also signed Ntando Zuma after the Moothee Ram Tuskers were relegated.
They have retained key players including Ottneil Baartman, Prenelan Subrayen and Khaya Zondo.
Knights ready for Division 1 return
The Flexbrands Knights are back in Division 1 after a remarkable 2025/26 season in which they won all three Division 2 trophies.
They have made eight new signings, including Jono Bird from Western Province, Junaid Dawood from the Titans and Lesego Senokwane, who returns to the Free State from Pretoria.
Boland turn to Brand
Boland will need to replace Roelofsen and have turned to former Titans batter Neil Brand. Brand brings plenty of experience and previously captained South Africa in two Test matches against New Zealand in 2024.
Boland have also signed experienced fast bowler Lizaad Williams, who returns to the province where his career began.
Dragons strengthen bowling attack The North West Dragons have added Daryn Dupavillon following the Tuskers’ relegation.
Juan James and Mthiwekhaya Nabe have also joined from Western Province. Nabe is expected to strengthen the Dragons’ bowling attack as they look to compete more strongly across the domestic competitions.
Warriors add experience
The Dafabet Warriors enjoyed a memorable 2025/26 season, winning the Pro20 title and narrowly missing out on the 1st Class trophy after losing the final to the Lions.
They have strengthened their squad with Sibonelo Makhanya from the Titans, Beuran Hendricks from Western Province, Andile Mokgakane from the Tuskers and Tladi Bokako from the Lions.
The Warriors have also retained international players Tristan Stubbs, Senuran Muthusamy and Jordan Hermann.
With so many new faces joining established stars, the 2026/27 domestic season promises plenty of competition from the opening round.