South Africa’s 2020-21 domestic season will be shorter than usual with a reduction of fixtures for the franchise competition, as Cricket South Africa (CSA) seeks to cut costs following a tough 12 months.

The CSA is predicting losses of millions of Rands after losing sponsor, inability to sell two editions' worth of broadcast rights for the Mzansi Super League and loss-making incoming tours in the 2018-19 summer.

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As per CSA’s restructured domestic season, the franchise teams will play almost a third fewer league matches next season, while the two-tier system, of six franchise teams and 15 provincial affiliates, will remain in place with fewer matches.

A report in ESPNCricinfo suggests: “….and the pinch is being felt in the local game, which depends on CSA finances to operate.”

It is being reported that the six franchises will play a four-day first-class and fifty-over competition while the provincial teams will play three-day cricket, which will also be classified as first-class for all teams apart from Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and a fifty-over one-day competition.

Noteworthy, the discussions about the possible reform of the provisional and franchise cricket for the 2021-22 season are ongoing while the top T20 competition and the MSL are likely to continue with a possible curtailed fixture list.

However, the CSA has suspended all form of cricket for the 60 days due to global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the board was hopeful to be able to resume the play when the summer starts, in about six months' time, as South Africa's domestic season is expected to start in September.

(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)