CSA plans to give long-term player contracts to stop Kolpak move

Since 2004, South Africa has lost the maximum number of players to Kolpak deal, which allows players from countries which has free-trade agreement with any European Union (EU) member nation to play professionally in the UK, but two which hurt them in recent times were pacers Kyle Abbott in 2017 and Duanne Oliver in 2019 leaving the country. To end it once and for all, the former South African pacer and interim coach, who is currently serving as the Director of Cricket, admitted that the board is serious about retaining its talented players.

The South African selection policy currently has a clause where there has to be a minimum of five players of colour in the playing XI for every match. The "target", as it has been called, often had an adverse effect on the team. Even last year, Last year, Morne Morkel, who took the Kolpak deal after announcing international retirement, had warned the country’s cricket establishment to have a proper communication channel with players to intimate them where they stand in terms of selections and contracts. Van Zyl said the structures are in place and they are working on it to make it more effective.

“Obviously, it’s transition in terms of new players coming through but we still believe we are here to win. Although the team is transitioning from a personnel point of view, we have the skill and ability to compete on the field,” he said.