Sunflower oil brand Sunfoil has agreed a two-season extension to its title sponsorship of Test cricket in South Africa.
The agreement with Cricket South Africa will cover the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, with an option to further extend the deal.
Sunfoil first entered into partnership with CSA in 2011-12 and through the relationship has launched cricket development programme the Sunfoil Education Trust. To date, over R3.5m (€222,000/$244,000) has been raised which has contributed to close to 20 disadvantaged students receiving full bursaries to attend cricket schools around the country.
The performance of South Africa’s players contributes to the fund, with Sunfoil donating R1,000 and R2,000 for every four and six hit by batsmen, along with R2,500 for every wicket during all home Test matches.
CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “The Sunfoil sponsorship impacts on all levels of our cricket from Test cricket to franchise and semi-professional cricket and right down to cricket development through the Sunfoil Education Trust.
“We are blessed to have sponsors who see the bigger picture of including a strong social responsibility initiative in their overall package.”
The 2016-17 Sunfoil season officially commences on Friday with the start of the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Durban.