On March 31, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced the list of centrally contracted players for the 2026-27 season. The most notable omission in the men's category was David Miller. The middle-order batter does not have a hybrid contract with CSA anymore which allowed him to pick and choose which bilateral series to play in.
Miller's omission may point towards his retirement from the international stage even though he had expressed his desire to play in ODI World Cup 2027 at home.
In addition to Miller, Rassie van der Dussen is another player who does not have a hybrid contract in the current list. Batter Reeza Hendricks could not make the list either alongside pacers Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams. The three pacers have missed series and tournaments due to their respective injuries. Anrich Nortje is not on the list as well.
The new additions to the contract list are Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke and Karabo Meso. Off-spinner Simon Harmer who wreaked havoc in historic Test series win on Indian soil has been rewarded with a hybrid contract.
South Africa men’s list of centrally contracted players
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, Simon Harmer (hybrid).
PONIs introduced
Meanwhile, CSA has introduced PONIs (Players of National Interest) for domestically contracted players who are in the pipeline to play at the international stage.
"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."
List of PONIs players -
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.