Mpumalanga have given full contracts to left-arm seamer Themba Maupa and wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir Kathrada for the 2025-26 domestic season in South Africa.
Maupa and Kathrada played for Mpumalanga last season, but were not contracted at the time.
Zakir Kathrada.
Mpumalanga have also signed all-rounder Aubrey Swanepoel from the Knights.
Swanepoel has played first-class cricket for 17 years, but not since December 2024.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity, a new adventure for me, going to meet new people, make lifelong friends, and play the best cricket I can play,” Swanepoel told OFM.
“I still feel that I have a couple of years left in me, so I just want to thank Free State and the Knights for the three years I’ve been with them.
“It’s been a really great three seasons, but time has come for me to move on. So, I’m looking forward to meeting my new family, the Mpumalanga Rhinos, and for the opportunity they can give.
“They’ve played a good cricket brand the past season, so just I am looking to grow as a cricketer there. I think a player is never too old to learn, so I’m going to White River openminded and to play the best cricket that I can.”
Mpumalanga have lost all-rounders Nonenela Yikha and Jurie Snyman. Yikha has moved to Northern Cape and Snyman has returned to Easterns.
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