Warriors (cricket team)

Eastern Province and Border both competed in the provincial Currie Cup from the 1890s until the creation of franchise teams in 2004. For both clubs, success was largely elusive throughout this period. Eastern Province's peak came in the mid to late 1980s with the team winning the series title in 1988–89, sharing the cup in 1989–90, and then a final outright win the following season in 1991–92. Four one-day titles, such as the Standard Bank Cup and the Nissan Cup, were also won during this time.

Border was one of the weakest cricketing teams in South Africa during the provincial domestic era. Border hold the record for the lowest aggregate score by a first class side in a match. During a Currie Cup match against Natal at Jan Smuts Ground in 1959–60, Border scored only 34 runs in the match - 16 in the first innings and 18 in the second innings. Border failed to win any first-class or List-A titles during the provincial era.

Following the 2004-05 domestic reforms, the provincial teams of Eastern Province and Border were merged to form the Warriors franchise. The Warriors were the most unsuccessful franchise between 2004–05 and 2020–21 in the 4-Day domestic series, failing to win a single title. The 2009–10 season was the most successful for the team, winning both the one-day title and the T20 cup. One more one-day title followed in 2017–18, however this was shared with the Dolphins.

Like many of the other franchises, sponsorship rights were granted for the beginning of the team name. Until 2015, the official name of the team was the Chevrolet Warriors.

In 2020, domestic cricket in South Africa was restructured once more and the six former franchise teams were dropped. In its place was a return to the more traditional two-division league format, with a total of fifteen professional teams competing. The previously semi-professional provincial cricket league has been absorbed, effectively forming the leagues second division. Promotion and relegation between the two divisions, not seen since the start of the franchise era in 2004, will return after 2023–24.

The former name of Eastern Province or even Eastern Cape could have returned during this time, however Eastern Province Cricket decided to maintain the brand recognition from the franchise era, with the new team continuing to be called the Warriors.

During the month of October each year, the side eschews their traditional black and electric green colours in favour of a bold pink playing kit to show their support of Breast Cancer Awareness as well as their fundraising efforts for Reach for Recovery.[1]

Players with international caps are listed in bold.

Name	Nat	Birth date	Batting style	Bowling style	Notes
Opening Batsmen
Edward Moore		(1993-03-17) 17 March 1993	Left-handed	Right arm off break
Batsmen
Christiaan Jonker		(1986-09-24) 24 September 1986	Right-handed	Right arm medium-fast
Marco Marais		(1993-10-17) 17 October 1993	Right-handed	Right arm medium-fast
Lesiba Ngoepe		(1993-04-14) 14 April 1993	Left-handed	Left arm orthodox
Yaseen Vallie		(1989-09-30) 30 September 1989	Right-handed	Right arm off break
Wicket-keepers
Matthew Breetzke		(1998-11-03) 3 November 1998	Right-handed		Opener
Gihahn Cloete		(1992-10-04) 4 October 1992	Left-handed	Right arm off break	Opener
Sinethemba Qeshile		(1999-02-10) 10 February 1999	Right-handed
Rudi Second		(1989-07-17) 17 July 1989	Right-handed	Right arm Off break
All-rounders
Thomas Kaber		(1992-06-14) 14 June 1992	Right-handed	Left arm unorthodox
Onke Nyaku		(1994-09-26) 26 September 1994	Right-handed	Right arm medium-fast
JJ Smuts		(1988-08-21) 21 August 1988	Right-handed	Left arm orthodox
Spin Bowlers
Jade de Klerk		(1999-02-24) 24 February 1999	Right-handed	Left-arm Orthodox
Seam Bowlers
Andrew Birch		(1985-06-07) 7 June 1985	Right-handed	Right arm fast-medium
Ayabulela Gqamane		(1989-08-30) 30 August 1989	Right-handed	Right arm fast-medium
Sithembile Langa		(1995-02-09) 9 February 1995	Right-handed	Right arm fast
Sisanda Magala		(1991-01-07) 7 January 1991	Right-handed	Right arm fast-medium
Anrich Nortje		(1993-11-16) 16 November 1993	Right-handed	Right arm fast
Lutho Sipamla		(1998-05-12) 12 May 1998	Right-handed	Right arm fast
Glenton Stuurman		(1992-08-10) 10 August 1992	Right-handed	Right arm medium
Basheeru-Deen Walters		(1986-09-16) 16 September 1986	Right-handed	Right arm medium-fast

The above list represents the Warriors squad for the 2019/20 season.