Standard Bank to sponsor South Africa men's team

Cricket South Africa have secured the financial backing of one of the largest financial institutions in the country, Standard Bank, who have signed on as the headline sponsor for the national men's team in all three formats. The bank replaces Castle Lager and Blue Label Telecoms, who are still expected to be involved in some capacity.

The new sponsor is not new to cricket. Standard Bank was previously one of the biggest backers of the game and had a 14-year period as the title sponsors of the ODI and T20 team (then called Pro20 in South Africa) which ended in 2011. Then, Standard Bank also sponsored the Pro20 domestic championship, a 20-over schools competition, CSA's high performance programme including the national academy, the schools development programme, and the national Under-13 cricket week.

However, that year the bank cut ties will all sports sponsorships including that of two of the country's most popular football clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. With the global economy deep in recession at the time, Standard Bank said they had to "reassess the costs of these sponsorships and the benefits for Standard Bank in the light of changed business needs".

The up-turn in world finances since then has put Standard Bank in a position to resume it's sports affiliations. A spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo that "a different economic climate" was the main reason for Standard Bank's renewed interest in the game. The four-year deal is limited to the sponsorship of the national team and not to any of the other areas Standard Bank was previously involved in.

It also comes with the debate continuing over banning alcohol advertising and sponsorships, particularly in sport, which is the category Castle Lager are in. In 2013, the Cabinet approved a draft bill to reduce the exposure of alcohol advertising, which had yet to be ratified by Parliament when it was withdrawn. In August 2015, the ruling African National Congress said if the draft bill proceeds it would have "devastating consequences for the sport and recreation sector", and chose to target regulating sales of alcohol instead. Castle Lager remain associated with the national rugby side, the Springboks.