Cricket South Africa has been given the go-ahead by the South African government to host England in a limited-overs tour in November.

CSA received confirmation from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture on Wednesday to welcome Eoin Morgan’s men in three ODIs and three T20Is in Cape Town and Paarl from 27 November to 9 December.

The tour will highlight the first international match for the Proteas since their final ODI against Australia in Potchefstroom in March.

‘This is a wonderful boost for cricket,’ said CSA acting chief executive Kugandrie Govender.

‘Although all the matches will have to be played behind closed doors, I am sure that our Proteas fans will rally behind South Africa’s favourite team as they always do, but just on alternative digital and social media platforms.

‘The fact that England are the current World Cup champions will add tremendously to the two series and will give our own players every motivation to perform at their very best to challenge the reigning champions.’

England’s arrival in South Africa will be a major financial boost for the governing body, with confidence levels between itself and the department of sport seemingly at an all-time low and Minister Nathi Mthethwa indicating plans to intervene at the body.

‘I would like to express CSA’s sincere gratitude to the Departments of Sport, Arts & Culture, Home Affairs and Health, for the support they have given us to make this return to international cricket in our country a reality, while maintaining that health and safety for all remains the number one priority,’ added Govender.

English Cricket Board CEO Tom Harrison also expressed his delight for the English team to conduct their first international tour since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

‘We are looking forward to touring South Africa. I would like to personally thank Cricket South Africa for their efforts in ensuring this tour goes ahead and their diligent work to create an environment that is safe for our players and staff. They are working tirelessly to pull together a bio-secure plan in Cape Town and Paarl.

‘We owe it to the sport that we do everything we can to keep international competition progressing during this pandemic.

‘Series against the Proteas are always exciting and intense. We saw that earlier this year in South Africa and we can expect the same this time around,’ he said.