BLOEMFONTEIN: The Free State Cricket Union president, Xander Snyders, has been elected to serve as a non-independent director on the board of Cricket South Africa (CSA). This followed his election together with Johannes Adams of the Western Province Cricket Association at the CSA’s annual general meeting (AGM) held in Johannesburg on 20 September.
The initial tenure will be a three-year term.
Those elected are reportedly armed with the appropriate balance of knowledge, skills, experience, diversity, and independence to discharge governance duties and responsibilities objectively and effectively.
The meeting saw the following persons elected as independent directors: Mohamed Iqbal Khan, Pearl Maphoshe and Mahlako Maleka.
The national cricket governing body reported on its successful performance for the fiscal year spanning 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024.
According to the federation, the 2023-’24 season was one of resilience and progress for the CSA, providing a stable foundation for the future.
On the field, South African cricket has experienced moments of pride and excellence, with both men and women delivering competitive performances. The men’s and women’s national teams and U19 players displayed strong performances at ICC events, with the Protea men finishing top of the test rankings to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025. Similarly, the continued professionalisation of the women’s game through the appointment of a permanent head coach marked a landmark achievement.
Financially, the CSA achieved a net profit of R238 million, supported by broadcast income, ICC distributions, sponsorships, ICC events and investment income.
This was largely driven by the international tour calendar, as well as the addition of seven new partners and official suppliers during this period, representing significant financial investment in the Proteas brand.
Other notable highlights included:
■ The CSA continues to operate 70 cricket development hubs across all nine provinces, impacting 457 players.
■ The Net Promoter Score increased to 6,65 from 5,9 in the previous year.
■ A total of 1 billion viewers in 100 territories across the world were reached, earning R707 million in broadcast rights revenue for the CSA.
■ The CSA partnered with the National Youth Service Programme (NYSP), providing opportunities for over 3 000 beneficiaries.
■ A number of 791 coaches obtained CSA Level 1 to Level 4 certificates for coaching children (primary schools and club cricket), right up to high performance coaching.
■ Cricketing infrastructure was upgraded across multiple affiliates, including major projects like the transformation of Boland Park into a mixed-use estate and the redevelopment of Newlands Cricket Ground.
■ Infrastructure upgrades was commenced for projects at host venues for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Maphoshe, chairperson of the CSA board, remarked that the just-ended season was a period of renewal and momentum gain for the CSA.
“We witnessed the resurgence of our men’s national team, the continued excellence of our women’s teams, and the rise of new talent from our development pipeline. These successes reflect the hard work of players and coaches and the impact of a more stable and supportive system.
“Good governance is the foundation of any credible and resilient institution. For the CSA, it is essential to restore public trust, enabling long-term sustainability, and delivering on our mandate to serve the game at every level. Strengthening governance has therefore remained a central focus of the Board.
“The upcoming 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup represents an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the best of South African cricket. Preparations are already well underway. This tournament must be more than a sporting event. We are focused on ensuring it leaves a meaningful legacy through infrastructure improvements, youth development, environmental accountability, and shared national pride. The board is providing active oversight to ensure that every decision made by the Local Organising Committee Board is grounded in good governance and long-term value.”
Rihan Richards, president of the CSA, said the performance achieved by the CSA during this period was encouraging, as it delivered more than planned.
“I wish to thank all our affiliates, board members, and CSA leadership for their hard work and dedication during the year. To our partners, including the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and SASCOC, thank you for your ongoing support.
“To the fans, players, and match officials across the country: Your energy and commitment inspire everything we do. To the staff at the CSA: Your efforts consistently drive our progress and ensure we remain focused on building a stronger and more inclusive future for cricket.”
