Sadly, Rhodesia were not to play any more Currie Cup cricket before the Second World War. The main reason was that the competition from then on was decentralised; few South African provinces wished to make the long journey to Rhodesia, and the demands on the players' time and money on tour in South Africa were too great.

At last Rhodesia found representative honours in the South African team selected to tour England in 1935. Denis Tomlinson, born in Umtali (now Mutare), was selected as a leg-spinner who could bat, and was to make a Test appearance. Pace bowler Sandy Bell was living and playing in Bulawayo at that time, although Bob Crisp had departed to Western Province some years previously.

Immediately after the tour to England, the Australians visited South Africa, under the captaincy of Vic Richardson (Don Bradman being unfit). They visited Bulawayo in February, at the height of the rains, which ultimately spoilt the match. In the time that was possible the Rhodesians, with seven debutants, put up an encouraging performance and might well have avoided defeat had the match run its course, a feat no South African province had hitherto accomplished. They were without Tomlinson, recovering from the enteric fever which killed Jock Cameron after the tour of England, and Bell, absent with an elbow injury incurred while on tour.