Cricket South Africa is still actively engaging with the Department of Sport to seek approval for a proposed England tour to the country.
Reports have suggested that, despite the conflict between the governing body and the department, the limited-overs tour, scheduled for November, could be confirmed soon.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the South African government is set to allow the tour to go ahead, despite the UK being deemed one of the high-risk countries with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic.
When asked for comment and whether the tour has been greenlighted, CSA twice in four days told SA Cricket magazine that it is still negotiating with government to get the go-ahead.
‘Cricket South Africa is still engaging with the various approval structures within government and as soon as there is certainty on whether or not CSA will host the English Cricket Board then CSA will release a statement,’ a spokesperson said.
Should the tour indeed go ahead, it appears that Minister of Sport Nathi Mthethwa’s plans to intervene at the governing body will be put aside, at least for now, after a breakdown in confidence between himself and CSA.
Last week, Mthethwa confirmed his plans to intervene at CSA after a lack of co-operation by board members to help stabilise matters at CSA.
It is strictly against the ICC’s constitution for governments to intervene at cricketing bodies across the world and could lead to severe sanctions including a ban from international cricket.
READ: SA on the brink of international ban
Eoin Morgan and his men are expected to arrive in Cape Town on 17 November, with the whole squad to quarantine at the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands. They will reportedly be allowed to train and prepare at the nearby Western Province Cricket Club.
Newlands in Cape Town and Boland Park in Paarl will host the three ODIs and three T20Is behind closed doors.
