Coetzee, Burger, Miller, Van der Dussen lose CSA contracts

Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams have been dropped from Cricket South Africa's (CSA) list of 18 contracted players announced on Tuesday, primarily due to injuries limiting their availability.

Since the last contract list in April last year, South Africa played 53 matches. Coetzee featured in eight T20Is, Burger in nine ODIs and six T20Is, and Williams in one ODI and five T20Is. Combined, the three fast bowlers were available for only 4.97% of the playing opportunities across those matches.

Burger’s omission comes after a standout performance for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings on Monday, where he took 2/26, including the wickets of Sanju Samson and Ayush Mhatre.

Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, and Rassie van der Dussen are also no longer on the central contract list. Hendricks played 12 T20Is, while Miller and Van der Dussen—both in their mid-30s—were previously on hybrid contracts introduced last year.

The only hybrid contract awarded this year goes to Simon Harmer, aged 37, likely in preparation for South Africa’s two-Test series in Sri Lanka in February and March, which is part of their World Test Championship title defense.

New additions to the men’s central contracts are Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, and Dewald Brevis.

With a busy home summer ahead—including eight Tests, nine ODIs, and three T20Is—and preparations for the 2027 World Cup, CSA has also named 20 "players of national interest," which include Coetzee and Burger.

On the women’s side, Eliz-Marie Marx is the only omission, and Karabo Meso the sole addition to the list of 15 contracted players.

Men’s contracted players: 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’s contracted players: 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.