The full list of domestic contracted players provides a glimpse into an exciting 2026/27 season, with anticipation building across South African cricket.
Ahead of Thursday’s opening round of the 1st Class Series, both new acquisitions and retained players will be eager to hit the ground running.
Defending champions in the red-ball competition, the DP World Lions, have bolstered their squad even further with the arrival of Gerald Coetzee from the Momentum Multiply Titans. His addition brings a new dynamic to their bowling attack, with international experience providing added firepower for bowling coach Allan Donald to work with.
Another ‘new’ face at the DP World Wanderers Stadium is Quinton de Kock, who returns to where his career first started for the first time in more than a decade. De Kock’s track record is well documented, and he brings years of proven success with both bat and gloves, making him a marquee signing for the Lions.
The Momentum Multiply Titans have moved to strengthen their squad with the additions of Eathan Bosch from the Dolphins, Sinethemba Qeshile from the Dafabet Warriors and Evan Jones, who returns to familiar surroundings at SuperSport Park from the Lions, as they look to build on their Dafabet Pro50 title from last season.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins finished third in both the Pro20 and 1st Class Series in 2025/26 and have responded by bringing back batter Grant Roelofsen from Boland. The 30-year-old left the Dolphins two years ago and enjoyed a successful spell with Boland, where he also recorded the highest first-class score in the franchise’s history with his 227 against North West Dragons.
They have also brought in Ntando Zuma following the Moothee Ram Tuskers’ relegation, while retaining key players such as Ottneil Baartman, Prenelan Subrayen and Khaya Zondo.
The Flexbrands Knights return to Division 1 cricket this season after a historic 2025/26 campaign in which they secured a clean sweep of trophies in Division 2.
They have brought in no fewer than eight new players, headlined by Jono Bird from YesPlay Western Province Cobras, Junaid Dawood from the Titans and Lesego Senokwane, who makes his return to the Free State capital from the Pretoria outfit.
Having lost Roelofsen to the Dolphins, Boland will look to former Titans man Neil Brand to fill the gap. In Brand, they have secured an experienced campaigner who also captained South Africa in two test matches against New Zealand in 2024.
Seam bowler Lizaad Williams also returns to where it all began for him with the Titans. Well-travelled in both domestic and international cricket, Williams brings experience and depth to the Boland squad.
The North West Dragons have also benefited from the Tuskers’ relegation with the acquisition of Daryn Dupavillon, while Juan James and Mthiwekhaya Nabe both arrive from Western Province.
Nabe’s move is part of the team’s efforts to strengthen their bowling department as they look to compete more strongly across all domestic competitions.
The Dafabet Warriors had a memorable 2025/26 season, clinching the Pro20 trophy and coming within a whisker of their first red-ball title after narrowly losing the final to the Lions.
In an effort to strengthen their ranks even further, they have brought in Sibonelo Makhanya from the Titans, Beuran Hendricks from Western Province, Andile Mokgakane from the Tuskers and Tladi Bokako from the Lions.
They have also retained the likes of Tristan Stubbs, Senuran Muthusamy and Jordan Hermann, all of whom bring international experience to the side.