This article describes the history of South African cricket from the aftermath of the First World War in 1919 to the end of the Second World War in 1945. Domestic cricket from 1919 to 1945 Domestic first-class matches focused on the Currie Cup competition which, although it was the national championship, was not always contested because of travel constraints and other reasons. The Currie Cup was not held in seasons when there was a Test tour of South Africa, though it was held in 1931–32 when the South African Test side traveled to Australia and New Zealand. Until 1926 all cricket in South Africa was played on matting pitches. The first Currie Cup match to be played on a turf pitch was held at the Kingsmead ground in Durban in December 1926, between Natal and Border. The first Test matches on turf pitches were held during the English tour of 1930–31. By the end of the 1930s, all first-class matches in South Africa were played on turf pitches. Currie Cup winners from 1919–20 to 1944–45 Not contested: 1919–20, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1935–36, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1943–44, 1944–45. 1920–21: Western Province 1921–22: undecided 1923–24: Transvaal 1925–26: Transvaal 1926–27: Transvaal 1929–30: Transvaal 1931–32: Western Province 1933–34: Natal 1934–35: Transvaal 1936–37: Natal 1937–38: Natal and Transvaal (shared) Second World War From the outset of the war, South Africa was actively involved as a member of the Allies. The war brought austerity and cricket was considered by many to be frivolous in such circumstances. Only one first-class game was played in South Africa during the wartime seasons. This match took place during the 1942 New Year period at Newlands in Cape Town between Western Province and Transvaal. It ended in a draw. Western Province batted first and scored 237 in 79.1 overs. In reply, James Pickerill's 71 was the top score, and Reginald Lofthouse's 4–63 was the best return as Transvaal made 251 for 8 declared. Sidney Kiel top-scored in the match with 128 not out as Western Province declared on 236 for 8. This didn't quite leave enough time for a result and Transvaal had made 166–6 when stumps were drawn. International tours of South Africa from 1919–20 to 1944–45 Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) 1919–20 Western Province v AIF – AIF won by 2 wickets Transvaal v AIF – match drawn Natal v AIF – AIF won by