South Africa have taken a big U-turn regarding the availability of its players for the World Test Championship Final against Australia starting June 11. The CSA will begin preparations from June 3, allowing the players to remain with the IPL franchises for the playoffs. Earlier, the Proteas clearly stated that all the WTC final-bound players will have to be in the country by May 26. However, the date has been changed after a conversation with the BCCI.

The Indian cricket board is restarting the IPL 2025 from May 17, with the final set for June 3.

“We are leaving it to the players to decide whether they want to return to India or not,” CSA’s director of national teams and high performance, Enoch Nkwe, said during a press conference.

“We have been clear that our players should return by May 26 as the WTC Final is our No.1 priority. We are in touch with the BCCI to ensure that all the parties are on the same page,” he added.

However, a report by the West Australian Today said that Nkwe had changed his stand.

“The players will start training for the WTC Final on June 3. We are discussing this, and we are focusing on the big game,” he said.

Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians), Corbin Bosch (MI), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings) and Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad) are in South Africa’s team for the mega match.

The playoffs will take place from May 29 to June 3, which means South Africa’s training for the Test against Zimbabwe will be delayed.