Faf du Plessis is optimistic the creation of a new Twenty20 Global League in South Africa will help prevent the country’s top cricketers leaving in search of greater financial opportunities.
The combination of a relatively weak economy and the lure of the English county game has seen a number of Proteas cricketers all call time on their international careers.
South Africa has a trade agreement with the European Union which means players in England are regarded as ‘home’ selections under the Kolpak rule.
The likes of Kyle Abbott, Rilee Rossouw, Dane Vilas, David Wiese, Simon Harmer, Hardus Viljoen and Stiaan van Zyl have all opted to play county cricket rather than continue to represent South Africa, sparking fears of a mass exodus.
While financial security has been the often cited reason, there have been concerns transformation targets designed to correct the legacy of apartheid, when non-white players were effectively barred from representing South Africa, could have played a part too.
But Test and Twenty20 captain du Plessis, who played for Lancashire under the Kolpak rule and has appeared in Twenty20 leagues around the world, said he hoped the new tournament would help provide opportunities currently only available outside of South Africa.
