Cricket SA struggles to compete with Kolpak for player loyalty
Of the 60 players who have gone that route since 2004‚ 70% have been South African
Kolpak stalks SA cricket like the grim reaper himself‚ wielding a scythe made of shiny pounds sterling and rattling the bones of insecurity. What can Cricket SA do to keep their players out of the monster’s clutches? Not enough to rid themselves of this drain on their human capital‚ most of whom have used up years of resources only to be made offers they cannot — or do not — refuse. Duanne Olivier‚ who has been a star performer in SA Test attack this summer‚ became the latest example of the trend by signing a three-year contract with Yorkshire. Of the 60 players who have gone that route since 2004‚ as many as 42 of them — 70% — have been South African. And there will be more. It is an open secret in cricket circles that a particular player was upset about missing out on selection not because he was desperate to earn a Test cap but because‚ until he did‚ he was ineligible to agree a Kolpak deal. Asked what Cricket SA plans to do to stem the tide‚ CEO Thabang Moroe‚ speaking from the ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.