Heinrich Klaasen excluded from Cricket South Africa's men's central contracts list

Star wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has been excluded from Cricket South Africa's (CSA) central contract list for the 2025–26 season. This comes after Klaasen’s focus on T20 leagues worldwide, pointing at a potential change in his career priorities, although CSA confirmed that discussions regarding his future are ongoing and a final decision will be made in due course.

Klaasen, who retired from Test cricket in January 2024, was on a white-ball only deal during the previous contract cycle. With T20 leagues giving both financial and personal flexibility, it is believed that the 32-year-old is leaning towards a league-centric schedule. Meanwhile, other senior players like David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen have chosen a hybrid contract. These deals allow players to be available for specific bilateral series and ICC tournaments.

Notably, for the first time, contracts have been awarded to seam bowler Lizaad Williams, despite him recovering from knee surgery, allrounder Senuran Muthusamy, and 18-year-old left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka, who made his debut across all formats in the past season. Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, and Kyle Verreynne, who were granted mid-season upgrades in 2024–25, have been retained. Nandre Burger has also kept his spot despite being sidelined all season due to a stress fracture.

Meanwhile, the Proteas have a packed calendar ahead, including tours to Zimbabwe, Australia, England, Pakistan, and India, along with a home series against the West Indies. They will also feature in two major ICC events, the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s and the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.