Heinrich Klaasen represented South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, he is notably absent from Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) central contract list for the 2025-26 season, which includes 20 players—two of whom have been offered hybrid contracts.
Klaasen had retired from Test cricket in January 2024 and held only a white-ball contract during the previous season. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter was part of the South African squads for both the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
The 33-year-old stalwart played only four Test matches before retiring from the longest format. However, he has represented the Proteas in 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is. Looking ahead, he has expressed his intention to prioritize his T20 franchise career. Cricket South Africa (CSA) also confirmed that discussions regarding Klaasen’s contract are ongoing, with a final decision expected soon.
Cricket South Africa Central Contracts for 2025–26
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled its central contract list for the 2025–26 season, with three new additions: Senuran Muthusamy, Kwena Maphaka, and Lizaad Williams. Contracts for David Bedingham, Wiaan Mulder, and Lizaad Williams have been upgraded for the upcoming season.
Senior players such as Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, and Kagiso Rabada continue to hold central contracts.
Full list of centrally contracted players for 2025–26:
Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.
Hybrid contracts: David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) today announced the Proteas Men’s contracted squad for the 2025/26 season.
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) April 7, 2025
CSA has awarded 18 national contracts and two hybrid contracts, which will run from 01 June 2025 – 31 May 2026. ⁰
With the introduction of hybrid contracts, David Miller and… pic.twitter.com/n2hIQYpLW6
Interestingly, apart from Klaasen, notable absentees from the list included Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi. Shamsi had opted out of the central contracts last season, while Nortje chose not to sign a deal with CSA during the previous contract cycle.
Meanwhile, Klaasen is currently representing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). So far, he has featured in five matches, scoring 152 runs at an average of 30.40 and an impressive strike rate of 168.89.