At least six players of black origin will be included in future assignments for Proteas, the South African national cricket team in measures aimed at ensuring the national team is not dominated by whites.

South Africa, the game’s powerhouse and one of the leading nations globally adopted the new regulations at the Cricket South Africa (CSA) annual general meeting held on Saturday, in Johannesburg.

Under the new regulations, there will be a minimum of 18 percent and 54 percent black African and black players doing duty for the national team in all International Cricket Council (ICC) – sanctioned competitions throughout the season, AFP reported.

“This is a natural progression in Board’s determination to drive transformation aggressively as part of CSA’s policy to make cricket a truly national sport accessible to all. What is really encouraging is that the Proteas, who are our flag bearers, are already achieving these targets and in some cases exceeding the targets we have just set, Chris Nenzani, CSA President said.

The rules had been in place for three years in the provincial and franchise cricket leagues in the African cricket giants, but it is the first time they are being introduced into the national side.

There will be an average maximum of five white players in the 11-member national team and at least two black African players selected for any assignment.

The move comes three months after Fikile Mbalula, the Sports Minister announced that rugby, cricket, netball and athletics were not going to host international events until they complied with the racial quota system, Mail & Guardian Africa reported.

Several critics dismissed Mbalula’s decision as a political ploy and one that would give non-performing black African sportsmen and women the chance to walk into the national team even when they do not merit selection.

South Africa sporting scene has for years been blotted by allegations of racial discrimination in the selection of national team players, since it became independent in 1994.

In 1970, ICC suspended the Rainbow nation due to its apartheid rules which allowed only white players to represent the nation.

Before the Rugby World Cup last year, Oregan Hoskins (former president of South African Rugby Union) was forced to write an open letter to the nation, urging it to support the Springboks at the global event, BBC reported.

This came after critics said several good black players had been undeservedly left out after only eight were named in the 31-man team.