Maphaka receives first Proteas contract, Heinrich Klaasen's international future in doubt

By Nasri Alexander
7th April 2025

Kwena Maphaka has received his first Proteas contract while Heinrich Klaasen is still in negotiations with Cricket South Africa (CSA) about his future in international cricket.

Teenage fast bowler Maphaka has made his international debut in all three formats over the last six months and is one of three players in the 18-man national central contract list.

Fast bowler Lizaad Williams and spin allrounder Senuran Muthusamy has also received Proteas contracts for the first time, which will run from 1 June 2025 until 31 May 2026.

Klaasen only signed a white-ball contract last year which allowed him to be available for T20 franchise leagues around the world.

A statement from CSA said: "Discussions regarding Heinrich Klaasen's future are ongoing, and a final decision will be made in due course."

David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen has signed hybrid contracts that will allow the two batters to participate in specific agreed-upon bilateral tours and ICC events.

Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne all earned contract upgrades during the home summer and have been retained for the upcoming season.

Left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin and allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo were the two players who lost their national contracts from those last year.

The national contracts will cover a busy season for the Proteas with the World Test Championship final in June as well as bilateral tours away to Zimbabwe, Australia, England, Pakistan and India, as well as a home series against the West Indies.

Director of National Teams and High Performance Enoch Nkwe said: "All of these players have been contracted with the importance of the next World Test Championship cycle and the 2027 Cricket World Cup on home soil in mind.

"The hybrid contracts take into consideration the dynamic nature of modern-day cricket and will provide David and Rassie with the opportunity to contribute to the team during specific bilateral tours and ICC events.

"An exciting season awaits as we compete for the WTC mace and look to take one step further in next year's T20 World Cup. We wish all the contracted players the very best for the year ahead."

Proteas contract list: Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams

Hybrid contracts: David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen