Cricket South Africa

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Cricket South Africa
Cricket South Africa.svg
SportCricket
JurisdictionNational
AbbreviationCSA
AffiliationInternational Cricket Council
Affiliation dateJune 29, 1991 (1991-06-29)
HeadquartersJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
PresidentBeresford Williams (resigned)[1][2]
ChairpersonLawson Naidoo[3]
CEOPholetsi Moseki (acting)[4]
DirectorGraeme Smith
Men's coachSouth Africa Mark Boucher
Women's coachSouth Africa Hilton Moreeng
SponsorBetway, Momentum, Sunfoil, KFC, New Balance, Castle, Powerade, Bidvest, Ticket Pro, SuperSport, BitCo, Coca-Cola, Virgin Active, Momentum Health, SABC Sport, Kemach JCB, Ram Couriers, Springbok Atlas, Phizz[5]
ReplacedUnited Cricket Board of South Africa
Official website
www.cricket.co.za

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is the governing body for professional and amateur cricket in South Africa. In 1991, the separate South African Cricket Union and the South African Cricket Board merged to form the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB), ending enforced racial separation governance in South African cricket. Cricket South Africa was formed in 2002, and initially ran parallel to the UCB, before becoming the sole governing body in 2008. As an affiliate of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), and a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), CSA administers all levels of cricket in South Africa, including the national teams in all three formats for both men and women.

History[]

Organised cricket has been taking place in South Africa since the British first introduced the sport in the 1880s. England were the first tour side to visit South Africa in 1888-89, playing its first Test match at Port Elizabeth and becoming the third Test playing nation.[6] Since 1890, various national bodies have formed and governed cricket in South Africa along separate racial lines. Regularly playing against England, Australia and New Zealand through to the 1960s, in 1970 the ICC imposed an international ban on South Africa in response to its policy of apartheid and its refusal to field non whites and play non white teams. When the ban was applied, South Africa was arguably the best team in the world and cut short the Test careers of hugely talented players, some of whom later emigrated and played for other nations.[7]

During South Africa’s expulsion from international cricket, a number of different organisations ran domestic cricket depending on the various racial groups. The South African Cricket Association (SACA) administered white players, with the South African Cricket Board of Control (SACBOC) and the South African African Board (SAACB) administrating the different non-white racial groups.[8] The effect of the cricketing boycott had a significant impact on the domestic game. Standards, attendances and participation were all falling, and the game had been revolutionised by the World Cup and World Series, in which South African cricket was being deprived of these financial rewards. By 1976, in a dramatic turn away from government policy, the three organisations agreed to establish one single board to govern South African cricket and that all future cricket would be played on an integrated and purely meritocracy basis regardless of race or colour. Termed ‘normal’ cricket, it was hoped this would enable re-admission to the ICC, however, the new South African Cricket Union (SACU) was rejected by many non-white players who saw it as a feeble gesture within the wider context of apartheid. The South African Cricket Board (SACB) was organised to administer cricket for those non-whites that refused to join the SACU.

As South African cricket continued to be excluded, ‘Rebel Tours’, international teams coming to South Africa to play, were organised by the SACU during the 1980s to keep the game alive.[9] Despite intense disapproval of national cricket boards, governments and the ICC, seven tours were staged in South Africa between 1982 and 1990. Players joining ‘rebel tours’ ran considerable risks to their own careers and reputations. Many faced ostracization within their country, as well as bans from playing cricket when they returned home. As an incentive, at a time when cricketers were not paid a great deal, the SACU offered substantial sums of money to entice rebel teams to play. Teams from England, Australia, the West Indies and Sri Lanka played 19 Tests and numerous One Day Internationals between them against the Springboks.[10]

In June 1991, the United Cricket Board of South (UCB) was established following the unity process and the amalgamation of the SACU and the SACB, finally bringing to an end to racial segregation within South African cricket. In July, South Africa was readmitted as a full member of the ICC, playing its first sanctioned international match since 1970 against India in November and their first Test match against the West Indies in April 1992.

In 2002, Cricket South Africa (CSA) was formed and operated in conjunction with the UCB. CSA was responsible for and administered the professional game, and the UCB oversaw amateur cricket in South Africa. In 2008, CSA and the UCB merged, reportedly for tax reasons, with CSA becoming the sole governing body for both professionals and amateurs.[11]

In recent years,  Cricket South Africa has faced a huge amount of internal upheaval and disorganisation that has significantly damaged the reputation of South African cricket at home and abroad, as well as even threatening ICC membership.[12] In December 2019, CEO Thabang Moroe was suspended pending the outcome of an independent forensic audit. In July 2020, acting CEO Jacques Faul and President Chris Nenzani resigned from their positions with less than a month left on their contracts. Kugandrie Govender was later appointed acting CEO, becoming the first woman to hold the position. In August, Moroe was formally dismissed from CSA on the grounds of ‘serious misconduct’ during his tenure, with the Government threatening to intervene if CSA did not re-establish order amongst themselves.[13] Throughout this time, CSA had refused to publish the final non-redacted Funduszi Report that had investigated alleged wrongdoing and negligence dating back to 2016 within the organisation.[14]

In September 2020, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) announced that they had suspended Cricket South Africa due to ‘maladministration and malpractices’, and had taken over cricket operations in the country. By the end of October, Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced a new interim board at CSA, chaired by Zak Yacoob. In response however, the Members Council of CSA have refused to acknowledge the new board and Sascoc jurisdiction. As the effects of COVID-19 endangered the survivability of the game, it was announced that the new acting CEO Kugandrie Govender herself would be suspended, pending the outcome of a hearing into allegations of misconduct during her time as Chief Commercial Officer, as well as acting CEO.[15] The interim board also removed Omphile Ramela as a director, citing alleged disruptive behaviour to the board's progress.[16]

Since the first reports came to light of the severe mismanagement, misconduct and malpractices of CSA under Thabang Moroe, the organisation has come under heavy criticism from sponsors, players, and the wider cricket community over governance issues. The International Cricket Council has announced it could suspend South Africa due to government interference in the sport, which is against ICC rules.[17] Zimbabwe Cricket has twice been suspended for political intervention by the ICC, most recently in 2019.[18]

As of January 2021, Cricket South Africa’s acting CEO is Pholetsi Moseki, the former Chief Financial Officer, and the third CEO since the beginning of 2020. The interim board under Zak Yacoob has been granted a one-month extension to their original three-month mandate, giving them until February complete their work of resetting Cricket South Africa.[19]

Organisation[]

Structure[]

CSA is currently governed by two internal organisation structures with a joint purpose of delivering responsible administration of the game, as well as to nurture sustainable growth and business investment for South African cricket.

The Board of Directors of CSA is generally composed of 12 directors that are elected to serve a three year term, each director however is eligible to have that term extended by another three years. The Board currently contains seven non-independent directors - those involved in cricket - and five independent directors that are employed to bring outside experience on legal, accounting and business matters to CSA. Strategic direction, formulation of policy and management of daily operations is the primary responsibility of the Board of Directors, and is performed through the governance framework of CSA committees and internal control procedures.[20]

The Members Council is the highest authority within CSA, and is currently composed of 14 Presidents of the affiliated Provincial cricket unions. Two Provincial Presidents are also themselves elected as President and Vice-President of CSA. All major decisions taken by the Board of Directors must be debated and ratified by the Members Council. Throughout, close consultation is kept with the South African Cricketers Association (SACA), who represent the interests and welfare of the players.[20]

CSA’s current interim Board of Directors, chaired by Zak Yacoob, has been in place since the mass resignation of all Board Directors in October 2020 following the decision by the suspension of CSA in the wake of repeated allegations of serious misconduct and malpractices.[21][22] With their tenure lasting until February 2021, it has been announced by the interim Board that they are proposing an end to the current arrangement of two separate structures within CSA, and that the Board of Directors be made the sole seat of authority going forward. To ensure the independence of the CSA organisation, it has also recommended that more independent directors join the board.[23] Currently, seven Provincial Presidents are non-independent directors on the board, as well as serving on the Members Council, potentially leading to large scale conflict of interests with CSA decision making.[24]

Transformation[]

CSA maintain that their continued vision is to ensure that cricket is supported by the majority of South Africans, and that the game is available to all.[25][26] Although a previous racial quota was repealed in 2007, since 2016 ‘transformation’ targets, although highly controversial, have been set by CSA in order to ensure that more South Africans of colour achieve greater representation at the national level.[27] The percentage of black African players required in a team currently stands at 25%, up from 18% the previous season. In 2021-22, this will increase to 27% and in 2022-23, it will sit at 33%. Overall, the numbers of players of colour required will increase to 63% by 2022-23, from the current 58%. National teams must field six players of colour, of which at least two must be black African. These quotas however are for an average across the course of a season and are not enforced for individual matches.[28] A further memorandum had stated from August 2020  that white consultants would no longer be appointed by CSA unless a person of colour could not be found during the recruitment process. In January 2021, it was announced by the interim board that all previous transformation targets adopted by CSA, including the affirmative action against hiring white consultants, would be suspended for the foreseeable future.[29]

National Teams - The Proteas[]

Main articles: South Africa national cricket team and South Africa women's national cricket team

Men's[]

Test: Having hosted and played their first international first-class game against England in 1888-89, South Africa developed into a competitive team by the start of the 20th Century.[6] Arguably being the best team in the world 1952 when the ICC imposed an international ban, since readmittance in 1991 South Africa have reasserted themselves as a strong team. Although at times holding the number one position in the international rankings, they have only had one success in an ICC organised tournament, the 1998 Champions Trophy. As of 2021, the Proteas are ranked fifth in the world.[30]

ODI: Playing their first One Day International against India soon after readmittance in 1991, South Africa have reached the ODI World Cup Semi-Finals four times, most recently in 2015, but never progressed further. With a current win percentage of 63%,[31] the team’s wider fortunes have also fluctuated and currently sit fifth in the ODI rankings, although have previously been number one.[32]

T20I: South Africa played their first T20I against New Zealand in 2005. Much like the other national squads, the T20I teams fortunes have varied and have been close to silverware. Appearing in 6 T20 World Cups, the Proteas have been semi-finalists twice, most recently in 2014. With a current win rate of 56%,[33] they are also ranked fifth in the world as well as previously being number one.[34]

Women’s[]

Test: Making their debut in 1960 against England, the women’s team did not play any international fixtures between 1972 and 1997. Despite being the oldest form of women’s cricket in South Africa, the Proteas have played just 12 Test matches, with the most recent being in 2014 and winning only one. With a win rate of only 8%, T20 has taken on a far more prominent and financially rewarding role, almost ending women's Test cricket as a viable entity.[35]

ODI: The women’s team played their first One Day International against Ireland in 1997, and have a current win rate of roughly 50% over nearly 200 matches.[36] Playing in six Women’s World Cups, the Proteas have been semi-finalists twice, in 2000 and 2017, although never progressing further. South Africa are currently fourth in the ICC World ODI rankings.[37]

T20I: The Proteas’ first T20I was in 2007 against Australia, and have since played over 100 matches. Competing in 6 Women’s T20 World Cups, South Africa have been semi-finalists in 2014 and in 2020. Ranked fifth in the ICC table, South Africa have a T20I win rate of 44%.[38][39]

Domestic Competitions[]

CSA organises and oversees a range of domestic competitions within the country. The CSA Four-Day Franchise Series, formerly the Currie Cup, is the main domestic four day first class cricket competition in South Africa, with the Momentum One Day Cup being the premier List A competition, and the CSA T20 Challenge as the T20 Contest. In 2004-05, the format of South African domestic cricket was radically altered with the traditional eleven provincial teams being remodelled into six new franchise clubs that are entirely professional. These changes occurred across limited overs, as well as first class domestic cricket. The eleven provincial teams continue to play in the separate semi-professional CSA Provincial Competitions, across all three formats, however no longer represent the top level of cricket in South Africa.

For the 2018 season, the previous competition of T20 Contest, that had become the non-starting T20 Global League, was renamed the Mzansi Super League.[40] In a change from the previous T20 domestic competition, the Mzani Super League features six new franchise teams that represent different South African cities.[41]

In announcements from April 2019, it is reported that CSA aim to undergo a major overhaul of South African domestic cricket. The current six-team franchise system is set to be dissolved, with a new format of 15 first class teams playing in two divisions, determined by promotion and relegation. Both divisions will play four-day and limited overs cricket, with two separate T20 tournaments. Division 1 teams will compete in the current Mzansi Super League, along with a separate knockout T20 competition with Division 2.[42]

CSA believes that the new format will provide more possibilities for players to compete at a high standard just below international cricket, in turn providing a wider talent pool for the national selectors. It is hoped that wider selection of teams at the highest domestic level will help increase playing opportunities of all races, particularly those currently underrepresented.[43]

For women, CSA Provincial Cricket is currently the top level of cricket in South Africa, however it remains semi-professional like the male equivalent.[44] Since 2019, South African women have played in the Women's T20 Super League. Further developing the women’s game at a high level, CSA have said that the competition will allow top performing players from across the under-19s and provincial cricket to continue and improve domestic standards, as well as ultimately strengthening the national limited over sides.[45]

Development, Youth and Grass Roots[]

Cricket South Africa offers numerous programmes that cover all aspects of the development of the amateur and professional game, for both men and women. From school projects, to introduction of hard ball cricket, through the semi-professional and fully professional franchise system, and then the pinnacle of international cricket.[46]

As the majority of South African schools do not have the necessary support infrastructure in place, CSA provides regional and district programmes, often via their Performance Centres. KFC Mini-Cricket is usually the first introduction to cricket that South African boys and girls enjoy. Starting at the ages of four to thirteen, more than 126,000 school children have participated in the programme, while the number of coaches and schools participating has increased to nearly 14,000 and 7,000 respectively.[47]  

National inter-provincial tournaments are played at under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels for boys, and at under-15 and under-19 levels for girls. Through the Talent Acceleration Programme, the best players can be identified, particularly disadvantaged cricketers, without any bias against their background or circumstance. Numerous initiatives are available that provide financial support for deprived young cricketers, through the Sunfoil Education Trust (SET), the Momentum Bursary Trust, and the SASCOC Bursary Programme. From Youth to International progression, CSA nourishes talent through multiple Provincial and Regional Academies, as well the National Academy and the High Performance Centre.[48]

Finances and Sponsorship[]

In the preceding years before Covid-19, CSA had reported a declared loss of R200m for the 2018-19 financial year, and profit of R50m for 2019-20.[49] Due to the pandemic, as well as organisational instability, CSA forecasted major losses of R654m (£32m) by the end of its four year in 2022 due to the effect on hosting tours, introducing the Mzanzi Super League, and restructuring the domestic game.[50] Whilst the SA Cricketers Association puts that figure closer to R1bn (£50m), CSA now project a revised figure of R400 (£19m) due to tours going ahead and new sponsorship agreements. So far, CSA has not undertaken any job or pay cuts and has reported cash reserves of R800m (£39m).[51] Although facing a tough financial period and COVID consequences, CSA have agreed a major broadcast deal with Star India in November 2020 for a reported R1.5bn (£72m) over the next four years to 2024. Another arrangement with South African broadcaster SuperSport is set to be negotiated before April 2021, alongside potential new sponsorship deals and existing television rights.[52]

In September 2020, the financial services giant Momentum confirmed that it would not seek to renew its sponsorship agreement with CSA, affecting the ODIs, the franchise one-day cup, the national club champions, the under-13, under-15 and under-17 competitions and initiatives. Momentum will however continue to sponsor the national women’s team under 2023, but have stated they will continue to advise CSA to resolve its administrative plight as a matter of urgency. Momentum is the not the only major sponsor to separate from CSA since the start of its instability crisis in December 2019.[12] Standard Bank have opted not to continue their support for the national Test team, as well as the CSA development programmes.[53] The sunflower oil producer Sunfoil, who had sponsored the first-class four day competition, similarly decided not to renew their sponsorship in 2019.[54]

See also[]

References[]

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Sources
  • Wisden Cricketers Almanack

External links[]

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