Follow UsIt is not often that a team loses a game even before competing in it. But South Africa’s domestic side Warriors will not compete in the playoffs of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) One-Day Cup 2025, after failing to abide by the player reservation guidelines, also called transformation targets, set by the cricket board.
In one of their league matches on February 16, Warriors played a game with only two Black Africans in their playing 11, which was contrary to the mandated number of three. It was against the rules and the team did not seek any exemption nor did they file any explanation.
As a result, even after ending the league phase on 21 points and sitting third on the points table, they moved to fourth position and 16 points after their five points were deducted.
Their opponents from that game, the Dolphins, were awarded four points and, as a result, made it to second position in the points table and qualified for the playoffs. They will now host Titans (previously second and now third in the points table) in Potchefstroom.
"A monetary fine has also been included, with 50% payable before the end of the current financial year. The remaining 50% will be suspended for five years and will only be activated if a similar breach occurs within that period,” CSA was quoted as saying in a statement by ESPN Cricinfo.
Warriors were not the only team to miss the target of having three black African players in the playing out of the mandatory six players of colour. However, they gave explanations or sought exemption in advance for those matches.
The teams to miss the target were Titans, North West, Lions and Western Province.