Coetzee, Burger, Miller, Van der Dussen lose CSA contracts
Whatever you do, don't get injured. It might cost you your contract. Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams know the feeling after being axed from CSA's list of 18 contracted players that was announced on Tuesday.
South Africa have played 53 matches - seven Tests, 12 ODIs and 34 T20Is - since the previous list was named in April last year. Coetzee was in eight of them, all T2OIs, while Burger appeared in 15; nine ODIs and six T20Is. Williams featured in an ODI and five T20Is. Combined, the three fast bowlers were able to latch onto only 4.97% of the available playing places in those 53 XIs. All were undone by injuries.
Burger's fate follows his star turn for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Monday. He uprooted Sanju Samson's off stump with an inswinger and had Ayush Mhatre caught behind next ball with a fearsome bouncer that veered close to the batter's head. Burger took 2/26 in his four overs to help dismiss CSK for 127. Rajasthan won by eight wickets with 47 deliveries unspent.
Reeza Hendricks, David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen were the other casualties from CSA's lineup. Hendricks's share of the 53 games was a marginal dozen T20Is. Miller and Van der Dussen were the inaugural recipients of the hybrid contracts that the board introduced last year. Now 36 and 37 years old, they might have seen the writing on the wall.
The only hybrid contract awarded this year is to Simon Harmer, who is also 37. But with two Tests in Sri Lanka looming in February and March - matches that could be important in South Africa's bid to defend the WTC title they won last year - Harmer is surely being lined up to partner Keshav Maharaj in the spin department.
This year's additions to the contract list are Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis. Which might lead some to wonder whether CSA have eyes only for new players whose last names start with B. That said, all are decent picks who have made an impression since the last batch of players were contracted.
With South Africa scheduled to play eight Tests, nine ODIs and three T20Is at home this summer, and preparations for the 2027 World Cup in the country, Zimbabwe and Namibia in full swing, CSA have taken the precaution of also naming 20 "players of national interest". Coetzee and Burger are among them.
There is much less coming and going on the women's side of the equation. Eliz-Marie Marx is the only omission and Karabo Meso the only addition to the list of 15.
Squads:
Men: 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.
Players of national interest: 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.
Women: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt.
