CSA is hopeful that the ban from hosting major cricket tournaments imposed by the national government will be lifted.

The former Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula took the decision to prevent SA from hosting cricket tournaments after transformation targets were not met during the 2015-16 season.

CSA then set more stringent transformation guidelines for the 2016-17 season to show their commitment to implementing the quota system. These guidelines stated that national teams must include an average of six players of colour of which two must be black African throughout the season. During the past season CSA announced that it had ‘exceeded’ these targets.

CSA also took the decision to work more closely with the Eminent Persons Group, an independent committee which compiles annual reports on whether transformation targets are being met by different sporting codes. The analysis of quota system implementation focused on cricket at school and club level.

CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat is ‘optimistic’ that the Eminent Persons Group will rule favourably when the committee release their annual transformation report on Tuesday.

‘We are optimistic of achieving good outcomes but we would not want to pre-empt anything at this stage. Regardless, we are committed to transformation and we will continue to engage with the ministry and other stakeholders to ensure we achieve our transformation goals,’ Lorgat told ESPNcricinfo.

It remains to be seen what newly-appointed Sports Minister Thembelani Nxesi’s stance on the controversial transformation topic is. His opinion will undoubtedly be a determining regarding SA’s bids to host future tournaments.