CSA announces Proteas contracts for 2026/27: Maiden deals for Brevis and Baartman as World Cup prep intensifies

Cricket South Africa (CSA) revealed on Tuesday the Proteas men and Proteas women who will be nationally contracted for the 2026/27 season.

The contracts, which will run from 1 June this year to 31 May next year, include special hybrid contracts as well as contracts handed to Players of National Interest (PONI).

As such, the Proteas men have contracted 18 players, plus an additional hybrid contract in Simon Harmer. Dolphins seam bowler Ottneil Baartman and Titans all-rounder Corbin Bosch have earned their maiden national contracts, alongside batters Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis.

The women’s team, meanwhile, has added wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso with her first national contract, after the 18-year old featured heavily for the senior team over the last 12 months.

“These groups of players have been recognised for their performances and contributions over the past 12 months, while also taking into account the upcoming international schedule,” director of national teams and high performance Enoch Nkwe said, via a statement on Tuesday.

“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.”

The Proteas Women are currently contesting a three-match ODI series in New Zealand, which they lead 1-0 after winning the first ODI over the weekend. They are set to play the second ODI on Wednesday morning (start 12am) before they finish the series on Saturday.

They will, however, be more concerned with preparing for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, starting in mid-June. In their recent five-match T20I series against the White Ferns, the Proteas were outplayed to lose 4-1. They have an opportunity to build some momentum in the coming weeks when they host their Indian counterparts in a five-match T20I series, starting on 17 April.

The Proteas Men, meanwhile, are preparing to host the Cricket World Cup in South Africa next year. A tentative window in October has been opened for the showpiece event, which will arguably see fierce competition in the squad for places.

They also have a significant South African summer loading with a tour from Australia incoming, as well as a visiting England to look forward to over December. Bangladesh are also scheduled to tour South Africa in November.

CSA 2026/27 Contract Lists

Proteas Men’s Contracted Squad: 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.

Proteas Women’s Contracted Squad: 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.