CSA Announces 19-Player Central Contracts for 2026–27 Season

Cricket South Africa has announced central contracts for the 2026–27 season. A total of 19 players were selected, including four new players getting their first contracts: Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, and Dewald Brevis. Veteran spinner Simon Harmer has been awarded a hybrid contract, considering his longstanding association with the Essex County Cricket Club, with whom he’s been associated since 2017.

CSA names 19-player squad for 2026–27 contracts

Simon Harmer played a key role in South Africa’s historic Test series win in India last year. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has also given special contracts to some players under the “Players of National Interest (PONI)” category. As per the new policy, cricketers who could be future South Africa players will be picked from Division 1. These players will be part of South Africa A tours and perhaps even the national side.

“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,” CSA Director of National Teams and High Performance Enoch Nkwe said.

“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,” he added.

The contracts will run from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. During this time, South Africa will play home series against Australia, Bangladesh, and England, and an away series against Sri Lanka. The World Test Championship cycle will also be completed in this period, except for the final.

South Africa’s men’s central contracts 2026-27

Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham, Marco Jansen, Ottneil Baartman, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Simon Harmer (hybrid)

Players of National Interest (PONIs)

Nqobani Mokoena, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen, Connor Esterhuizen, Marques Ackerman, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Okuhle Cele, Dian Forrester, Bjorn Fortuin, Zubayr Hamza, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Nqaba Peter, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesego Senokwane, Lutho Sipamla, Tiaan van Vuuren, Codi Yusuf.