Cricket News: The "Kolpak " loophole and South African cricketer's
Kolpak rule came into force in 2003 when the European Court of Justice ruled that anyone with a work permit from a country with an associate trading agreement with the EU had the same rights as a European worker
Rilee Rossouw of South AfricaA player becomes eligible for the deal when he gives up his right to play for his nation and is not classed as an overseas-player signing.
Cricket South Africa was seriously affected by Kolpak
The deal had many negative impacts on South Africa's cricket team. This was mainly because, against South Africa's weak currency, cricketers across the country tried to secure contracts in the county.
In late 2016, Stiaan van Zyl, Simon Harmer and Hardus Viljoen put their international careers on hold by signing Kolpak deals. A few days later, bowler Kyle Abbott and batter Rilee Rossouw announced their four and three-year contracts soon after their team's victory in the test over Sri Lanka. As an immediate effect, Cricket South Africa terminated contracts for the players and dropped them from the squad.
The decision of players, especially Rilee Rossouw, left coach and management extremely furious as the batter was being backed despite him scoring four ducks in six of the ODIs. Further, the board saw David Wiese following the lead of his fellow citizens, confirming his deal with Sussex.
Kyle Abbott, on the other hand, justified his decision to leave by quoting it as a decision based on his long-term financial security. He said, "it was purely a career decision, and I don't regret anything I did."
While South African cricket suffered a lot due to instability, the players enjoyed lucrative benefits by signing high-paying contracts with English counties that automatically disqualify them from representing the national team. As many as 45-plus players took Kolpak deals leaving South Africa cricket deprived of its quality talent.
2021: Termination of Kolpak deal
When the Kolpak deal terminated on January 1, 2021, it boosted South African cricket's attempt to keep its best talent at home and a chance to inject much-needed experience depth into their national team.
"With Kolpak gone it has closed the door for a lot of guys. That can only be good for South African cricket to keep the players here. The more experience and less watered down the (domestic) system the better," said South African bowler Kyle Abbott.