South Africa announce new season contracts, Miller omitted

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced their list of contracted players for the 2026–27 season ahead of a busy schedule. A total of 18 men’s and 15 women’s central contracts have been awarded. Offspinner Simon Harmer has also been given a hybrid contract.

The most talked-about aspect of this year’s contracts is the inclusion of five new faces. Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis and Karabo Meso have earned national contracts for the first time. CSA has also released a list of 20 Players of National Interest (PONI), who are considered the next in line for national team selection.

However, the biggest surprise is the omission of experienced batter David Miller. Having been on a hybrid contract last season, Miller has not been offered any form of contract this time. This has intensified speculation that his international career may be nearing its end. The left-hander, who has been playing international cricket since 2010, was part of the most recent T20 World Cup squad but has not yet made any official announcement regarding retirement.

Top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen has also been dropped from the hybrid list. Having last represented South Africa on the Australia tour, uncertainty now surrounds his international future as well. Additionally, injury-affected players Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams, along with batter Reeza Hendricks and women’s allrounder Eliz-Mari Marx, have also missed out on contracts.

In a statement, CSA selection convener Patrick Moroney said the decisions were made to strengthen squad depth ahead of an important season. He also noted that their long-term vision, including ambitions to win major ICC tournaments beyond 2027, played a key role in finalising the list.

The new contracts will run from June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027. During this period, South Africa’s men’s team will host Australia, England and Bangladesh for a total of eight Tests, forming a crucial part of the World Test Championship. They will also tour Sri Lanka and prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The contracted list includes regular names such as Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma, along with David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen. While all premier fast bowlers have been included, T20 World Cup squad member Anrich Nortje remains without a contract, having previously opted out due to recurring injuries.

For the women’s team, the immediate focus is the T20 World Cup scheduled for June-July, followed by home series against India and Australia. Karabo Meso is the only new inclusion, while the squad largely retains its experienced core. Former captain Dane van Niekerk has not been contracted but is expected to be in contention for World Cup selection.