Every franchise in South Africa is to get a one-off payment of R350 000 to pay for the extra black players demanded by Cricket South Africa in their new quotas directive.

CSA have decided that every franchise must increase the number of players of colour to six, and ensure that three are black African in the new season (2015-16), increasing the quota by one.

Teams playing in all semi-professional matches will stay at the current requirement of least six players of colour and a minimum of three black African players.

 The Board has also resolved to make available a one-off subsidy of R350 000 per franchise to set off the costs of contracting an additional Black African player. This is designed to assist franchises who may have already completed the contracting of players for the 2015-16 season and will not be repeated in future seasons.

Earlier, the South Africa Cricketers’ Association had considered legal action because, they said, there had been no consultation, and they were concerned about the financial effect of recruiting extra players at such a late stage, after contracts had been finalised.

‘We are clear that the Affiliate and Franchise Presidents, CEOs and their coaches have the direct responsibility to increase the pool of black players,’ said CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat. ‘Our previous initiatives have shown success and we are committed to achieve representation for all our people and remain the best team in the world’.

He noted that many franchises had already exceeded the requirements: The Highveld Lions who have already clinched the Sunfoil Series going into the final round have regularly fielded four black African players and they have all been selected on merit; the Dolphins have fielded five black African players at various stages of the same competition; the Titans, have fielded three black African players.