South African all-rounder Beyers Swanepoel left his domestic side Lions’ One-Day Cup final mid-way to fly to England.
'I am extremely disappointed in Beyers': Lions CEO
Swanepoel left the field around the 43rd over of the Titans’ chase, having completed his quota of 10 overs, where he picked up three wickets for 44 runs. Lions were not allowed to get a substitute fielder as his absence wasn’t caused by an injury or illness, and fielded with only 10 players for the remainder of the innings. When Swanepoel finished his tenth over, Titans needed 61 off seven overs with five wickets in hand; they got over the line by three wickets, with a ball to spare.
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The Lions will conduct an internal investigation to ascertain why there was no clear communication from the all-rounder about his plans to leave the game mid-way.
"I am extremely disappointed in Beyers,” Lions CEO Jono Leaf-Wright told Times LIVE. “This is not the kind of conduct we as the Lions expect from our players. He has let down his teammates and the union."
Swanepoel left to catch a flight to England from Johannesburg, presumably to join his county side, Worcestershire. Times LIVE also report that his teammates, including Lions captain Bjorn Fortuin, weren’t aware that he was leaving for the airport, and believed that he was going off due to a niggle.
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The coaching staff were reportedly informed of his plans to fly to England on the morning of the match, but they expected him to leave only after the game. The all-rounder picked up seven wickets in five games for the Lions in the One-Day Cup this season.
ESPNCricinfo have since reported that Swanepoel’s county participation is now in doubt, as his NOC remains unsigned. The Lions wish to proceed with it only after completing an investigation into his sudden departure. Worcestershire, who signed the all-rounder in December 2025 for “the entirety of the County Championship Division Two campaign”, begin their season on Friday, April 3.
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