Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Sisanda Magala, Wayne Parnell, and Keegan Petersen were conspicuously absent from the list of contracted men’s players announced by CSA on Tuesday.
While their exclusion seems justifiable given their recent performances, the case of Anrich Nortje, who shares their absence, raises questions.
De Kock, once a stalwart across formats until December 2021, now focuses solely on T20Is.
Elgar, known for his prowess in Test cricket, has retired.
Magala, Parnell, and Petersen had limited appearances in South Africa’s matches last year, reflecting their diminished roles.
Nortje, a versatile performer, participated in only a fraction of the games due to a lumbar stress fracture, sidelining him from September 10 last year until March 7 this year.
Despite his setbacks, at 30, he remains a formidable force in cricket, boasting impressive statistics across formats.
His recent stint with Eastern Province in the CSA T20 Challenge showcases his readiness for competitive action, even amidst personal milestones like becoming a father and joining Delhi Capitals.
However, despite his capabilities and ambitions, Nortje’s absence from CSA’s contracted list indicates a strategic decision to prioritize T20 cricket, with plans to transition to ODIs later in the year.
This shift in focus may signal the end of his Test career, though he remains committed to international cricket.
As Nortje gears up for potential participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, other players like Kyle Verreynne and David Bedingham, who have demonstrated their worth through consistent performances, find themselves overlooked.
Nonetheless, newcomers like Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi have secured contracts, while Andile Phehlukwayo marks a return to the centrally paid ranks.
On the women’s front, the contracted list sees minimal changes, with notable additions like Ayanda Hlubi and Eliz-Mari Marx.
However, the absence of Shabnim Ismail, who has retired, leaves a significant void in the lineup.
CSA’s contracted players for the 2024/25 season:
MEN
| Player Name |
|---|
| Temba Bavuma |
| Nandre Burger |
| Gerald Coetzee |
| Tony de Zorzi |
| Bjorn Fortuin |
| Reeza Hendricks |
| Marco Jansen |
| Heinrich Klaasen |
| Keshav Maharaj |
| Aiden Markram |
| David Miller |
| Lungi Ngidi |
| Andile Phehlukwayo |
| Kagiso Rabada |
| Ryan Rickelton |
| Tabraiz Shamsi |
| Tristan Stubbs |
| Rassie van der Dussen |
The women’s contracted squad expanded from 15 to 16 players, with Dolphins fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi and Titans all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx securing their inaugural contracts.
WOMEN
| Player Name |
|---|
| Anneke Bosch |
| Tazmin Brits |
| Nadine de Klerk |
| Lara Goodall |
| Ayanda Hlubi |
| Sinalo Jafta |
| Marizanne Kapp |
| Ayabonga Khaka |
| Masabata Klaas |
| Sune Luus |
| Eliz-Mari Marx |
| Nonkululeko Mlaba |
| Tumi Sekhukhune |
| Chloe Tryon |
| Delmi Tucker |
| Laura Wolvaardt |
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