By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Left spinner Keshav Maharaj, a key figure in South Africa’s World Test Championship victory, was named Cricket SA Men’s Player of the Year.
The judging period takes into account last year’s T20 World Cups – South Africa reached the final in both tournaments – the home summer and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Maharaj took 40 wickets in seven Tests between August 2024 and January 2025, including twin four-fors against West Indies, and five-wicket hauls in Chattogram and Gqeberha. He was also South Africa’s third-highest wicket-taker at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“Look, firstly it was very unexpected. But yeah, it’s very special to be acknowledged in a year that’s been a successful year for the Proteas brand, “Maharaj said.
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma also featured prominently on the night, scooping the Test Player of the Year and the SA Fans’ Player of the Year awards.
Recently retired Heinrich Klaasen, who was a standout performer in 50-over cricket, walked away with the ODI Player of the Year, while pace bowler Anrich Nortje claimed the T20I Player of the Year title.
In the women’s categories, Nonkululeko Mlaba was the big winner, taking home both the Player of the Year and T20I Player of the Year awards.
Mlaba’s 12 wickets at the T20 World Cup was the second-highest in the tournament, behind the haul by New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr. She also became the only South Africa woman to take ten wickets in a Test match with her haul of 10 for 157 against England in December, and is South Africa’s second-highest Test wicket-taker of all time.
All-rounder Annerie Dercksen was named ODI Player of the Year.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Pholetsi Moseki lauded the winners: “Last night we gathered to honour a truly remarkable season of cricket… We not only recognised individual brilliance, but also celebrated the profound depth of cricketing talent we continue to cultivate in South Africa.”