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CSA Reports R238 Million Profit For 2024–25: What Drove It, Where It’s Going

The Cricket Standard Desk
September 21, 2025
4 min read
Cricket South Africa reports a R238 million profit for 2024–25, driven by broadcast, ICC funds, sponsors, and India T20Is, with upgrades ongoing for 2027.
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CSA Reports R238 Million Profit For 2024–25: What Drove It, Where It’s Going

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has posted a net profit of R238 million for the 2024–25 financial year, marking a second straight year in the black after three years of losses. The profit is smaller than last year’s R815 million, but still meaningful in a season where the only profitable incoming tour was a four-match T20I series against India.

Key Numbers At A Glance

  • Net profit: R238 million (approx US$13.7m)

  • Prior year profit: R815 million (approx US$45.6m)

  • Broadcast and viewership revenue: R707 million (approx US$40m) driven by 1 billion views across 107 countries

  • ICC distributions: R378 million (approx US$21m)

  • Sponsorships: R125 million (approx US$7.2m) from seven new partners

  • Major expense: Professional cricket operations R1.3 billion (approx US$75m) including player salaries, match hosting, and facilities

  • Cash reserves: R1.42 billion (approx US$82m)

Income from the SA20 was not itemised in this reporting cycle.

How CSA Made A Profit With Few Lucrative Series

  • India’s four T20Is: The India tour was the primary profit engine from match revenues and broadcast pull.

  • Smart revenue mix: CSA balanced a lean home season (with Sri Lanka and Pakistan series typically loss-making) through broadcast deals, ICC disbursements, and an expanded sponsor roster.

  • Cost control and reserves: Keeping a tight grip on operating costs and holding strong reserves helped cushion volatility in the home schedule.

Why The Profit Fell From R815m To R238m

Last year’s result included exceptional tailwinds: a bumper event cycle, stronger broadcasting inflows, and recovery effects post-pandemic. This year was more “normal,” with fewer high-revenue tours and a heavier cost base in professional operations, plus event-independent expenses (salaries, venues, and upkeep).

Stadium Upgrades For 2027 Men’s World Cup

CSA’s integrated report confirms upgrades ahead of co-hosting the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with Zimbabwe and Namibia.

  • Wanderers and SuperSport Park: New high-definition LED floodlights

  • St George’s Park: Refurbished seating and a new scoreboard

  • Drop-in pitches: Development ongoing across the country

The goal is to create a lasting legacy—facilities, youth development, environmental accountability, and national pride—not just a one-off tournament bounce.

The 2025–26 Cricket Calendar And Trade-offs

To protect financial health and focus on 2027 preparations, CSA’s home international slate is lean this summer:

  • No home men’s Tests this summer

  • WTC title defence starts away in Pakistan next month

  • All-format tour of India follows

  • SA20 starts on Boxing Day

  • Only men’s internationals at home: five T20Is vs West Indies in Jan–Feb 2026

  • The WTC mace goes on a country-wide trophy tour to keep Test engagement alive despite no home fixtures

What The Numbers Mean For South African Cricket

  • Financial stability: Two consecutive profits plus R1.42b in reserves give CSA cushion to invest in infrastructure, pathways, and the women’s game.

  • Revenue concentration risk: India series remain disproportionately lucrative. CSA’s push for more sponsors and global viewership (1 billion in 107 countries) helps diversify, but tour composition still matters.

  • Cost discipline: Professional cricket operations are CSA’s biggest expense. Continual efficiency in hosting and scheduling will be key to sustaining surpluses in “average” seasons.

  • SA20’s strategic role: While not itemised in this report, the league is vital for domestic growth, talent retention, and long-term commercial stability.

Strategic Priorities Before 2027

  • Lock in broadcast and sponsorship value for the World Cup window.

  • Complete stadium upgrades and accelerate drop-in pitch readiness.

  • Support domestic pathways and women’s professional structures to widen elite depth.

  • Keep Test cricket visible through creative fan engagement (trophy tours, content, SA A fixtures) in a lean home-Test year.

  • Maintain reserves strength to buffer low-revenue seasons.

Bottom Line

CSA’s R238 million profit shows a viable model even in a mixed touring year: anchor one big series, diversify income with global media reach and sponsors, control costs, and invest in future-ready infrastructure. With 2027 on the horizon, the finances, upgrades, and planning point to a board trying to balance today’s books with tomorrow’s legacy.