CSA snubs two superstar players from central contract, keeps two veteran players in hybrid list

After being left off of Cricket South Africa's 18-player core contract list, Heinrich Klaasen's chances of playing for his country may have gotten low. Klaasen, who retired from Test cricket in January 2024, is reportedly putting his T20 league career first. He was on a white-ball only contract during the previous cycle.

"Discussions regarding his future are ongoing and a final decision will be made in due course," the CSA stated in a statement. Last year, Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller, who were also on a white-ball exclusive contract, agreed to hybrid contracts that would enable them to "participate in specific agreed-upon bilateral tours and ICC events."

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All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy, 18-year-old left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka, and Lizaad Williams, who has been sidelined since knee surgery this year, were all on the 18-player contract list for the first time. In addition to Nandre Burger, who has not played a game this season due to a stress fracture, David Bedingham, Wiaan Mulder, and Kyle Verreynne were all kept after receiving what CSA referred to as "contract upgrades"—that is, being added to the central contract list halfway through the season.

SA men's contract list

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, Lizaad Williams

Hybrid contracts: David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen