Cricket South Africa tie up with Castore

Castore join as Official Apparel Partner.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced that UK-based sportswear brand Castore will become their official kit supplier, starting from October 2021. The three-year deal will see Castore serve as the Proteas’ kit supplier until September 30, 2024.

As part of the deal, Castore will also be the official partner for the products for Cricket South Africa and will supply them not only to the team but to the staff as well. Along with that, Castore will also become Cricket South Africa’s official merchandising partner.

Castore has also announced that it will be making the Proteas kit from ‘unique technical fabrics’ to produce a ‘lighter, more flexible and durable’ kit with the goal of helping CSA improve performance through every thread.

Cricket South Africa’s Acting Chief Executive, Phlotesi Moseki stated:

“Castore is one of the big players in the world of sports technical apparel and they are involved around the world with such diverse sporting codes as Formula 1, cycling, football, athletics and swimming. As we all know most international cricket these days is played on the Asian sub-continent and its surrounding areas where climatic conditions are extremely challenging, and it is important that our players have the most comfortable apparel available to allow them to compete at their optimal level. Castore is a perfect fit for our national teams who all have major ICC events on the immediate horizon. We look forward to a fruitful and happy relationship over the next three years.”

Castore replaces US-based company New Balance that served as the Proteas’ kit supplier since 2015. Although New Balance had a deal with Cricket South Africa till 2023, a decision was taken to end the agreement two years prior. New Balance’s Country Manager in South Africa, Craig Bowen, stated that the decision was made after “reviewing current business and strategic imperatives”.

Castore’s founder, Tom Beahon, added:

“Adding to our wide range of teams and athletes with a team such as Cricket South Africa’s Proteas is a huge honour for us as a brand and we’re excited to see where the partnership will take us. The T20 World Cup is the perfect way to kick off our partnership, an exciting, forward-thinking concept still in its formative years whereby entertainment is ever-present.”

The South Africa deal adds to Castore’s growing sports portfolio, which already boasts the likes of McLaren, Rangers, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Castore also has individual deals with Jos Buttler, Andy Murray, English swimmer Adam Peaty and English rugby player Owen Farrell.