The 2025 county cricket season will start in the United Kingdom this week.
Several South Africans will be involved in the County Championship and, later, the T20 Blast.
1. David Bedingham (Durham)
David Bedingham.
Bedingham joined Durham in 2020 – and was the leading run-scorer in the 2024 County Championship, division one. He collected 1,331 runs at an average of 78 – and hit six centuries. This included 279 against Lancashire.
“I grew both as a player and as a person in England. The conditions, meeting different people, the cricket style is different,” said Bedingham.
2. Kyle Verreynne (Nottinghamshire)
This will be Verreynne’s second season with Nottinghamshire. He averaged 248 for them last season after three not outs, including an unbeaten 148 against Warwickshire.
“I thought the competition was of a really good standard. When you’ve played international cricket, you still want to be tested at domestic level, so I really enjoyed adapting to English conditions,” said Verreynne.
3. Simon Harmer (Essex)
File image: Simon Harmer.
Harmer was the most prolific off-spinner in the 2024 County Championship, division one. He took 45 wickets at an average of 13.
“Essex gave me the platform to find myself again. Essex gave me the opportunity and the platform to rediscover what made me successful, leading me to becoming a match-winner for them and being comfortable with that,” said Harmer.
4. Colin Ingram (Glamorgan)
Ingram was the leading run-scorer in the 2024 County Championship, division two. He gathered 1,351 runs at an average of 90 – and hit five centuries and six half-tons. This included 257 not out against Leicestershire.
“I had an amazing season with many memories and milestones, and so to come back and challenge myself to do it all again, and be better, is one I’m really looking forward to,” said Ingram.
5. Kyle Abbott (Hampshire)
Kyle Abbott.
Abbott was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2024 County Championship, division one. He took 55 wickets at an average of 20. His tally included three four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket hauls.
“Abbott will continue his career at Hampshire having signed a one-year contract extension. He made his club debut back in 2014 and will enjoy a ninth season here,” read a statement from Hampshire.
6. Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Hampshire)
Pretorius will be with Hampshire for the T20 Blast. He played alongside England’s Joe Root in the SA20 earlier this year.
“It’s a real honour to play for Hampshire Hawks in this year’s Blast as my first experience of playing cricket in England. The team is full of exciting names who I look forward to playing alongside and sharing a dressing room with as we look to lift the trophy,” said Pretorius.
7. Dewald Brevis (Hampshire)
Brevis will add to experience in the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League with time in the T20 Blast. He will be team-mates with Pretorius at Hampshire.
“I’m hugely excited about joining Hampshire Hawks for the Blast. The team has a great history in the competition, and I look forward to being a part of that. It’s great we have Lhuan-dre with us as well and hopefully we can put on a good show and entertain the crowd at Utilita Bowl on our way to reaching finals day and lifting the trophy,” said Brevis.
8. Keith Dudgeon (Kent)
This will be Dudgeon’s first time in English county cricket. He will be team-mates with former Cape Cobras fast bowler Michael Cohen at Kent.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining Kent and help the side win matches. It’s a county with such a rich history and I’m looking to make a big impression. Playing county cricket is such a big deal for South Africans and I’m looking to take this opportunity with both hands. I’d like to thank the club for showing faith in me and to the supporters; you will get every inch out of me every day,” said Dudgeon.
9. Dane Paterson (Middlesex)
Paterson has moved from Nottinghamshire in the County Championship, division one, to Middlesex in division two.
“It’s an honour to be joining Middlesex. I will do my best to give Middlesex the best chance of getting promoted back to division one again – where the club belongs. I can’t wait to be playing at Lord’s – such a prestigious ground and I’m just really excited about the challenge that lies ahead,” said Paterson.
10. Matthew Breetzke (Northamptonshire)
Since last playing for Northamptonshire, Breetzke has debuted in ODI cricket – and broken a 47-year-old record.
“I’m delighted to sign with Northamptonshire for the 2025 season. I really enjoyed my time at the club this year. I think the team has a lot of potential to push for promotion as well as go a few steps further in the Blast and win it. I’m looking forward to helping the team and hopefully achieving many more victories along the way,” said Breetzke.
11. Migael Pretorius (Somerset)
Migael Pretorius.
Pretorius took 23 wickets at an average of 39 in the 2024 County Championship, division one. He also hit three half-centuries, including 95 not out against Nottinghamshire.
“I really enjoyed my time at Somerset in 2024 and I’m looking forward to joining up with the team again. There’s a really positive atmosphere around the club and I was impressed by the level of support that the players get at every game, both home and away. The team came so close to winning a trophy last year and hopefully I can help Somerset to get over the line in 2025,” said Pretorius.