What does cricket sound like in Afrikaans?
Coming up to the South Africa Tests in England, we present a quick glossary
Compiled by Firdose Moonda
04-Jul-2017
Oh dear, these two will never reach their kolfkampies • AFP
There's only one South African, Keaton Jennings, in the England Test squad but there are dozens playing on the county circuit and plenty behind the scenes. Add to that the recent history of Saffers turning Poms - eight newly capped Test players signed Kolpak deals at the start of this season - and the cricket lingo must be crossing the boundary too. To prepare for the upcoming four-Test series we've put together a dictionary with some of the words you might hear over the next six weeks.
First, the basics:
Krieket
Pronounced: Krii-ket
Pronounced: Krii-ket
Kolwer
Pronounced: Coal-ver
Literal Translation: Batter
In English: Batsman
Pronounced: Coal-ver
Literal Translation: Batter
In English: Batsman
Snelbouler
Pronounced: Snell-bowler
Literal translation: Speed bowler
In English: Fast bowler
Pronounced: Snell-bowler
Literal translation: Speed bowler
In English: Fast bowler
Draai-bouler
Pronounced: Dry-bowler
Literal translation: Turn bowler
In English: Spin bowler
Pronounced: Dry-bowler
Literal translation: Turn bowler
In English: Spin bowler
Paaltjiewagter
Pronounced paal-kie-wagghh-ter
Literal translation: Small-pole watcher
In English: Wicketkeeper
Pronounced paal-kie-wagghh-ter
Literal translation: Small-pole watcher
In English: Wicketkeeper
Skeidsregter
Pronounced: skates-regghh-ter
Literal translation: Separate judge
In English: Umpire
Pronounced: skates-regghh-ter
Literal translation: Separate judge
In English: Umpire
Kolfkampie
Pronounced: Colf-kamp-y
Literal translation: Batting camp
In English: Crease
Pronounced: Colf-kamp-y
Literal translation: Batting camp
In English: Crease
Nulletjie
Pronounced: Nil-le-kie
Literal translation: Baby zero or little zero
In English: Duck
Pronounced: Nil-le-kie
Literal translation: Baby zero or little zero
In English: Duck
And now a few more specific terms:
Nag Uiltjie
Pronounced: Nagghh-eil-kie
Literal translation: Night owl
In English: Nightwatchman
Pronounced: Nagghh-eil-kie
Literal translation: Night owl
In English: Nightwatchman
Wegbreekbouler
Pronounced: Vegghh-breek-bowler
Literal translation: Getaway bowler
In English: Offspinner
Pronounced: Vegghh-breek-bowler
Literal translation: Getaway bowler
In English: Offspinner
Goelbal
Pronounced: Ghoel-bal
Literal translation: Magic or ghost ball
In English: Googly
Pronounced: Ghoel-bal
Literal translation: Magic or ghost ball
In English: Googly
And here's one we all remember because it was part of incriminating messages sent by a certain Englishman about one of his team-mates:
Doos
Literal meaning: Box
Also used as a profanity in the same line as "idiot" (and other, ruder, terms)
Literal meaning: Box
Also used as a profanity in the same line as "idiot" (and other, ruder, terms)
And then there are the fielding positions:
Gangetjie
Pronounced: Ghh-ang-e-kie
Literal translation: Small hallway
In English: Gully
Pronounced: Ghh-ang-e-kie
Literal translation: Small hallway
In English: Gully
Slagyster Posisie
Pronounced: Slagghh-ayster-po-zees-ee
Literal translation: Slaughter-rron position
In English: Short leg
Pronounced: Slagghh-ayster-po-zees-ee
Literal translation: Slaughter-rron position
In English: Short leg
Vlak weg
Pronounced: Flak-vegghh
Literal translation: Shallow away
In English: Silly mid-off
Pronounced: Flak-vegghh
Literal translation: Shallow away
In English: Silly mid-off
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent