A middle-order batsman and occasional medium-pace bowler, Cyril Helfrich had his most successful season in 1950–51, when he was one of only five batsmen to score 500 runs in the Currie Cup.
[2] At the end of the season he played in a trial match to help the selectors choose the team to tour England that year, but he was unsuccessful.
[3] Helfrich was particularly successful in Griqualand West's matches against touring teams.
He top-scored for them in the match against MCC in 1948–49 with 71 in the first innings,[4] scored 77 against the Australians a year later,[5] and made a quick 55 not out in a run-chase against the New Zealanders in 1953–54.
[6] In his last first-class innings he made 23 when Griqualand West were dismissed for 69 by the Australians in 1957-58.