On Monday, Cricket South Africa made an important announcement regarding the list of players who have been given central contracts. The list features 18 players, but many fans were surprised to see that star batter Heinrich Klaasen’s name was missing. Meanwhile, David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen were given hybrid contracts, which is a new arrangement that allows them to participate in certain tours and ICC events.
According to a report from ICC, CSA is still discussing Klaasen’s situation, and they’re working to figure out the details with him. Klaasen is currently playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, so it’s likely that once he’s done with that, they’ll come to a final decision about his contract.
Looking at the list of contracted players, some big names are included for the period from June 2025 to May 2026. Players like Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, and Kagiso Rabada are set for another exciting year.
Several players got their first central contracts too, which is pretty exciting. Lizaad Williams, a right-arm fast bowler, Senuran Muthusamy, a left-handed all-rounder, and Kwena Maphaka, a young left-arm quick, all made the list. It’s always nice to see fresh talent being recognized and given a chance to prove themselves.
Bringing up Klaasen again, he recently made a solid contribution by scoring 46 runs in a tough group match during the T20 World Cup against Bangladesh in New York. That performance was really important for his team, as it helped the Proteas secure a nail-biting win by just four runs.
The hybrid contracts for Miller and van der Dussen are part of CSA’s effort to adapt to the fast-paced changes in the cricket world. Enoch Nkwe, who is CSA’s Director of National Teams and High Performance, mentioned that these new contracts provide an opportunity for players to play in agreed-upon tours and ICC events, which reflects how modern cricket is evolving.
Looking ahead, South Africa has some big matches lined up, including the World Test Championship Final against Australia, which will take place at Lord’s in June. They’ll also face some significant challenges like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, set to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Plus, there are tours planned for Zimbabwe, Australia, England, Pakistan, and India, along with a home series against the West Indies.
Here’s a peek at the complete contracted squad: Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, and Lizaad Williams. And of course, David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen are on those hybrid contracts. It’s shaping up to be an exciting time for South African cricket fans!
