Back in the A Section of the Currie Cup, Rhodesia struggled to survive at the higher level, but their overall performance was better than it appeared on the championship table, where they did not earn a point. They were defeated outright three times in six Currie Cup matches, earning three draws, but were never able to take a first-innings lead. Despite earning no points, the South African authorities, temporarily at least, recognised the team's potential and did not demote them to the B Section.

The side was undergoing a period of transition, with only Colin Bland left of the five great Springboks of recent years -- and even he was in his final season for Rhodesia, although it was not known at the time. Bland was in his best batting form since the tour of England in 1965, although not quite back to his very best. He led an outstanding young fielding side which added colour to the competition, although their catching was not always in the same class as their ground fielding.

The batting was a little more reliable than was usual for Rhodesia in those years, with four batsmen averaging above 30, but it was not good enough to atone for a side still unable to find adequate replace-ments for Lawrence and Partridge. The bulk of the bowling was done by the two spinners, Jackie du Preez and John Traicos, but they generally came on to bowl when the opposition batting was already in command.

Eddie Parker was a frustration as an all-rounder. He looked capable of big scores but still frequently got himself out unnecessarily; his one great innings was that of 83 not out when Rhodesia were chasing a declaration against Transvaal in a match ruined by rain; he hit 26 runs in a glorious display of orthodox power hitting in the final over. His bowling was frequently wayward and posed little threat to the opposition. Roy McLoughlin looked capable of developing into a good pace bowler until an injury when batting cut short his season.

After a fairly encouraging start to the season, Rhodesia failed badly on their southern tour, and the low point was defeat in a friendly against North-Eastern Transvaal, whom they had replaced in the A Section. They were beaten twice by Eastern Province during the season and once by Transvaal, but they managed two fairly encouraging draws against Natal.

Bland finished top of the batting, with 463 runs at an average of 38.58. Also scoring over 300 runs were Jackie du Preez (364 at 33.09), Ray Gripper (348 at 26.76), Stuart Robertson (319 at 35.44) and Peter Carlstein (315 at 28.63). No batsman succeeded in scoring a century. The stylish left-handed Robertson was making his debut this season, and batted with the same grace, timing and consistency that was to characterise his career; unfortunately, he never fully overcame his tendency to get out when he should have been aiming for a really high score. Brian Davison played throughout the season, but was frequently too impetuous and lacking in concentration, tendencies which were also usually to characterise his Rhodesian career, to a greater degree than his career for Leicestershire.

At Police Ground, Salisbury; 9, 10, 11 November. NATAL 444 (T L Goddard 45, B A Richards 48, B L Irvine 72, B Versfeld 72, G C Heath 78, D Gamsy 76; J H du Preez 6/149) and 162/4 dec (B A Richards 59, B L Irvine 44*). RHODESIA 310 (P R Carlstein 50, K C Bland 82; T L Goddard 4/63) and 204/4 (R A Gripper 80, J K Clarke 40). Match drawn, Natal leading on first innings.

At Police Ground, Salisbury; 7, 8, 9 December. RHODESIA 375/9 dec (R A Gripper 33, A J Pithey 73, J H du Preez 89, E F Parker 83*; W R Kerr 4/63). TRANSVAAL 36/0. Match drawn without a decision on first innings (rain).

At Port Elizabeth; 26, 27, 28 December. RHODESIA 186 (P R Carlstein 55, P R McLoughlin 37; P M Pollock 4/57, S J McAdam 3/57) and 217 (J K Clarke 36, K C Bland 60, E F Parker 42; S J McAdam 4/39). EASTERN PROVINCE 322 (A M Short 80, A L Biggs 71, R G Pollock 54; P R McLoughlin 4/48) and 83/1 (A L Biggs 52*). Eastern Province won by nine wickets.

At Durban; 31 December, 1, 2 January. NATAL 321 (B A Richards 58, B S Groves 38, B L Irvine 85, D Gamsy 30, G C Heath 41; E F Parker 3/92, J H du Preez 3/116) and 210/3 dec (B A Richards 112*, B L Irvine 60*). RHODESIA 212 (R A Gripper 70, K C Bland 36, S D Robertson 59; P H J Trimborn 3/41, V A P van der Bijl 5/60) and 287/6 (J K Clarke 54, P R Carlstein 99, K C Bland 47, S D Robertson 55*). Match drawn, Natal leading on first innings.

At Johannesburg; 17, 18, 20 January. RHODESIA 295 (R A Gripper 38, S D Robertson 58, J H du Preez 91; G L C Watson 3/63,) and 144 (P R Carlstein 41; G L C Watson 3/37, D Mackay-Coghill 3/29, H R Lance 3/43). TRANSVAAL 423 (A Bacher 189, B F Bath 45, R K Muzzell 75, W R Kerr 33; J H du Preez 4/104) and 19/0. Transvaal won by ten wickets.

(Friendly) At Pretoria; 23, 24, 25 January. NORTH-EASTERN TRANSVAAL 298 (I W Finlay 90, C I Dey 41, G K Funston 33, J T Botten 35; E F Parker 3/64, G N C Peck 4/52) and 265/9 dec (G G M de Villiers 70, J T Botten 42; A J Traicos 6/66). RHODESIA 234 (R A Gripper 37, K C Bland 46; G K Funston 4/53) and 319 (S D Robertson 47, J D McPhun 58, K C Bland 54, J H du Preez 34, B F Davison 50; D F Becker 3/37, J S Pressdee 3/45). North-Eastern Transvaal won by 10 runs.

At Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo; 8, 9, 10 February. RHODESIA 252 (J D McPhun 39, A J Pithey 42, B F Davison 57; S J McAdam 3/28) and 181 (R A Gripper 32, S D Robertson 30; N W Mallett 5/55). EASTERN PROVINCE 344 (A L Biggs 33, R G Pollock 166, N W Mallett 54; A J Traicos 6/129) and 90/4 (A L Biggs 42). Eastern Province won by six wickets.

It is intended in the future to produce full scorecards, and also much more information about all cricket in Rhodesia during this season. At present, the next entry in this section is for 1969/70