Cronje gets a retainer of Rand 15,200 (US$3,305) a month along with Gary Kirsten, Brian McMillan, Daryll Cullinan, David Richardson, Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock. But an additional amount of Rand 50,000 (US$10,870) a year as captain of the team makes him the highest paid South African cricketer.
The contract between the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) and the seven cricketers is from May 1, 1997 to April 30, 1998. These seven cricketers are placed in A category by their board.
Twelve other cricketers have also been provided with a similar duration (11-month) contract by the UCBSA with Pat Symcox, Andrew Hudson, Jonty Rhodes and Paul Adams getting a monthly stipend of Rand 13,300 (US$2,890). They are placed in B category.
In Category C are Adam Bacher, Jacques Kallis, Brett Schultz, Lance Klusener, Herchelle Gibbs and Derek Crookes. The six get a monthly retainer of Rand 11,500 (US$2,500).
Fanie de Villiers, who captured 10 wickets for 105 runs in the only Test between Pakistan and South Africa at Johannesburg in 1994-95 besides scoring a rapid 66 not out, is in a special category along with paceman Craig Matthews. They duo get Rand 13,200 (US$2,870) a month for their six-month contract which expires on Dec 31, 1997.
While there is slab system in monthly stipends, all the players get an equal amount for playing a Test or a one-day international. The UCBSA gives Rand 11,250 (US$2,445) per Test and Rand 3,750 (US$815) per one-day international.
The UCBSA, besides pampering their players on monthly basis, have also announced lucrative cash incentives in the 1997-98 season. For victory in a Test, each player will get Rand 11,250 (US$ 815) while for victory in a Test series either over Pakistan or Australia or in the home series against Pakistan or Sri Lanka, there is a team bonus of Rand 500,000 (US$108,670). An additional amount of Rand 500,000 (US$108,670) will be equally distributed among the players if the South Africans won any two of the four Tests series they will be playing this season. There is also incentive for playing a drawn series. If South Africa draw this series with Pakistan followed by the series's against Australia and Pakistan (in South Africa), the team will get Rand 200,000 (US$43,478) each. For a drawn series against Sri Lanka on home soil, the South African cricketers will distribute Rand 135,000 (US$29,350) among themselves.
The South African authorities are giving equal importance to one-day cricket and have also announced cash benefits for the coming events this season.
For each one-day win, every member of the team will get Rand 1,250 (US$272) while for reaching the finals of quadrangular event in Pakistan and three-nation tournaments in Australia and at home soil, the South African side will get a team bonus of Rand 100,000 (US$21,740), Rand 150,000 (US$32,610) and Rand 150,000 (US$32,610) respectively.
For winning the quadrangular event in Pakistan, South Africa will get a win team bonus of Rand 200,000 (US$43,480) and will receive Rand 250,000 (US$54,350) each for tournament wins in Sri Lanka and at home. In case, South Africa won two out of three one-day tournament finals, they will pocket an additional Rand 250,000 (US$54,350).
The attitude of the South Africa authorities should be an eye-opener for the Pakistan cricket authorities.