Cricket South Africa has awarded batsman Rassie van der Dussen a national contract.

Van der Dussen relished a fine stretch of form during the 2019 World Cup and consequently qualified for the revised threshold for nationally contracted players for the 2019-20 season.

He has taken the contract left vacant by fast bowler Duanne Olivier, who became a Kolpak cricketer in the United Kingdom.

‘Rassie’s promotion is thoroughly justified on the back of a brilliant debut season at international level and has also served as an inspiration to all aspiring cricketers at domestic level of what can be achieved by showing top-class form on a consistent basis,’ said CSA chief executive officer Thabang Moroe.

‘I am also happy to announce that Sinalo Jafta is currently one point away from a similar upgrade among our women’s players. Should she be selected for their upcoming tour of India and play in at least one match, she will qualify for a full 12-month contract.’

Van der Dussen was named International Newcomer of the Year at the CSA awards earlier this month, and played for the Vancouver Knights in the Global T20 Canada recently. The Knights lost the final to the Winnipeg Hawks, who had former Proteas batsman JP Duminy.

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