Cricket South Africa (CSA) has acknowledged the concerns raised regarding the depleted Proteas Test squad announced for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Notably, the New Zealand series overlaps with the SA20 competition, where most of the contracted South African Test players will play. SA20 is the brainchild of CSA and the league is seen as critical to the organization's future financial health.

The scheduling conflict is a result of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2023-2027, which was finalized in 2022 before the SA20 league's schedule was set.

Despite the recent development, CSA has emphasized its commitment to Test cricket, which it considers as the pinnacle of the sport.

“The Board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) notes the concerns about the composition of the Test squad that will be traveling to New Zealand later this month. We reassure the fans that CSA has the utmost respect for the Test format as the pinnacle of the game we love,” CSA’s statement read.

“The dates for this tour were set when the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2023-2027 was finalized in 2022. The window for the SA20 had not been determined at that stage. Once it became apparent that there would be a clash, we made every effort to find another mutually suitable time slot for this 2 Test series in consultation with New Zealand Cricket. Regrettably, the constraints imposed by the global cricket calendar rendered this impossible, as the games must be played before April 2025 as part of the World Test Championship,” the statement added.

South Africa will play two-Test series against the West Indies, Bangladesh (both away), Sri Lanka, and Pakistan (both at home) in 2024.

“CSA remains fully committed to international cricket and to strengthening the SA20, a tournament that was initiated by us to help grow and sustain the game,” CSA’s statement concluded.

South Africa’s 14-member squad for the upcoming two-Test tour of New Zealand includes as many as seven uncapped players.

Uncapped Neil Brand will lead the Proteas in the Kiwiland, with only three players from the squad currently playing India travelling with the team.

South Africa Test squad for New Zealand tour: Neil Brand (captain), David Bedingham, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin, Zubayr Hamza, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Keegan Petersen, Dane Piedt, Raynard van Tonder, Shaun von Berg, and Khaya Zondo.