The spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Nonkululeko Mlaba took centre stage at the 2024/25 Cricket South Africa (CSA) Professional Awards held on Thursday 31 July in Johannesburg.
Pair named Men’s and Women’s Players of the year
Proteas Men’s and Women’s left-arm spinners Maharaj and Mlaba were named the Men’s and Women’s Players of the year respectively at a glittering ceremony held at Emperors Palace in East Johannesburg.
Maharaj received the award for a second time in his career, having first earned the honour in 2022, in recognition of his continued excellence across all formats and leadership within the national setup while 25-year-old Mlaba is a first-time recipient of the prestigious award.
Speaking to Telecom Asia, Maharaj was very grateful to have won the award.
Honestly, I really didn’t expect it because the other guys did some amazing things during the season but [I’m] so grateful and privileged to be able to receive the award.
Meanwhile Mlaba walked away with four awards on the evening. She also walked away with the Women’s T20 International Player of the Year, Women’s Players’ Player of the Year, and the Best Delivery Fuelled by KFC.
Other big winners – Temba Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen and Kagiso Rabada
Test captain Temba Bavuma was named Test Player of the Year following a standout season in which he finished as the team’s leading run-scorer and led South Africa to the final of the ICC World Test Championship where they beat Australia at Lord’s in June. He also received the Fans’ Player of the Year, as voted by the public.
Heinrich Klaasen was recognised as the Men’s One-Day International Player of the Year while Kagiso Rabada was recognised by his peers as the Men’s Players’ Player of the Year.
Other winners on the night
Other major winners in the men’s categories included Ottneil Baartman, who was named Men’s International Newcomer of the Year, Anrich Nortje took home the Men’s T20 International Player of the Year award, while Nandre Burger claimed the Best Delivery Fuelled by KFC for his dismissal of Mikyle Louis during the second Test against the West Indies in Guyana.
In the women’s categories, Ayanda Hlubi was honoured as the International Newcomer of the Year, and Annerie Dercksen received the One-Day International Player of the Year award. Dane Paterson was presented with the Makhaya Ntini Power of Cricket Award, which celebrates cricket’s ability to inspire and transform lives.
