South Africa's Cricket Stars Shine Bright at CSA Awards 2024-25

At the prestigious CSA awards for the 2024-25 season, South Africa's cricket talents took center stage. Keshav Maharaj, a left-arm spinner, and his counterpart Nonkululeko Mlaba were named men's and women's players of the year, respectively, showcasing exceptional skills throughout the cricketing calendar.

Maharaj's formidable performances included snapping 40 wickets in seven Test matches between August 2024 and January 2025. His achievements featured consistently impressive spells, such as four-wicket hauls against the West Indies and five-wicket hauls in Chattogram and Gqeberha. The 35-year-old also was South Africa's third-highest wicket-taker in last year's T20 World Cup, claiming 11 wickets.

Mlaba, at just 25, distinguished herself by grabbing 12 wickets in the last T20 World Cup, becoming the tournament's second-highest wicket-taker. She made history by being the only Proteas women's player to snatch ten wickets in a Test match, completing a remarkable innings with 10 for 157 against England in December 2024. Recognized as the women's players' player of the year, her outstanding achievements were underscored by Annerie Dercksen's recognition as women's ODI player of the year.

Adding to South Africa's remarkable year, Heinrich Klaasen was named ODI player of the year, while dynamic pacer Anrich Nortje was crowned T20 player of the year. The awards also highlighted the rise of young talents, with Kwena Maphaka named T20 Player of the Season and Dewald Brevis honored as Domestic Players' Player of the Year.

(With inputs from agencies.)