CSA has also introduced a list of 20 men’s Players of National Interest (Ponis), who have been identified as next in line for selection. The Ponis are domestically contracted.
The biggest surprise is the omission of David Miller, who was on a hybrid contract last season. The nature of those arrangements are such that they allow players to discuss which bilateral series they will be available for while giving them the room to prioritise certain leagues. Last year, for example, Miller missed South Africa’s white-ball tour to Australia in August to play in the Hundred. Now, Miller has no contractual arrangement with CSA, suggesting an international retirement is imminent. Miller has played international cricket since 2010 and was part of the most recent T20 World Cup, though he did not indicate he was quitting the biggest stage just yet. He remains active on the league circuit.Top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen, a stalwart of the domestic game, has also been dropped from the hybrid contract list. Van der Dussen last played for South Africa on the aforementioned Australia tour, which could turn out to be his last. Fast bowlers Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams – who have all spent extended periods out injured but have returned to action – along with batter Reeza Hendricks and women’s allrounder Eliz-Mari Marx have also dropped off the contract list.
“With a busy and significant season ahead for both the men and women, it remains important that we continue building depth and strengthening our pipeline with PONIs, while remaining competitive at the highest level. We believe these groups give us a strong base to do that,” Patrick Moroney, CSA’s selection convener said in a statement. “Our Road to 2027 and Beyond strategy also informed the final choice of players who possess the level of talent and attitude required in achieving our strong ambitions of winning all major ICC events going forward.”
The new contracts will run from June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027 – a period which is set to be one of South Africa’s busiest. The men’s team will host Australia, England and Bangladesh for eight Tests, which make up the bulk of their 2025-2027 World Test Championship campaign, an away series in Sri Lanka, while also preparing for the ODI World Cup in late 2027. That explains the focus on red-ball player contracts, with Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma headlining the list alongside Test specialists David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne, and ODI players like Matthew Breetzke.
Anrich Nortje, who was part of South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad, missed out on a CSA contract•ICC/Getty Images
All of South Africa’s premier quicks including Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka are contracted but Anrich Nortje, who was part of the T20 World Cup squad, is not. Nortje opted out of a CSA contract two years’ ago as he battled a series of stress fractures that have limited his participation to the shortest format only.
On the women’s front, the most pressing engagement is the T20 World Cup in June-July before home series against India and Australia next year. Both will include one-off Tests. Meso, a young wicket-keeper batter, is the only new name amid an experienced core. Notably, former captain, Dane van Niekerk, who made an international comeback this season, has not been contracted though she is expected to be in line for selection for the T20 World Cup. Kayla Reyneke, the former under-19 captain who earned two Player-of-the-Match awards in her first four T20Is, is also not on the list but highly likely to have a long international playing future.
South Africa contract list
Men: Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne
Hybrid Contract:
Simon Harmer
Women: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt
Players of National Interest (PONIS): Marques Ackerman, Nandre Burger, Okuhle Cele, Gerald Coetzee, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Bjorn Fortuin, Zubayr Hamza, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Nqobani Mokoena, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Nqaba Peter, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesego Senokwane, Lutho Sipamla, Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen, Tiaan van Vuuren, Codi Yusuf
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s senior correspondent for Africa and women’s cricket