“The team management have requested that it would be beneficial to rest those players who have been involved in all the Test match and limited overs series since the start of the 2007-08 season,” said CSA CEO Gerald Majola. “And we (CSA) have acceded to that request.

“This is the only period in the next 18 months when the players will be able to take a two-week break,” he added, “and we must be mindful of the hectic period of international commitments ahead of us.”

The players to be rested are Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Andre Nel and Makhaya Ntini.

Dale Steyn, who has only played one Standard Bank Pro20 match and one MTN ODI will be released to the Nashua Titans for this weekend on the proviso that he only bowl 15 overs per day.  Shaun Pollock will also be released to the Nashua Dolphins for this weekend as he has not played in any of the Castle Test matches.

The rest of the nationally contracted players and national squad members will all be available for their franchises.

This Thursday’s fixture list for the SuperSport Series is: Paarl: Nashua Cape Cobras v Chevrolet Warriors; Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead: Nashua Dolphins v bizhub Highveld Lions;OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein: Gestetner Diamond Eagles v Nashua Titans.

Latest log positions: Gestetner Diamond Eagles 67.16, Nashua Dolphins 60.88, Chevrolet Warriors 40.46, Nashua Titans 28.98, bizhub Highveld Lions 28.92, Nashua Cape Cobras 28.60

The Proteas have meanwhile closed the gap between themselves and Australia at the top of the ICC ODI log from five points to four following their 2-1 MTN series win over New Zealand. The Black Caps remain third but are 13 points behind the Proteas.