The left-arm fast-medium bowler joined Essex in the winter of 2011 on a two-year deal from Somerset where he had been a successful member of their new ball attack taking 347 first-class wickets in his 6 years at the County Ground, following his move from Leicestershire.

Born in Cape Town and now 37 years old, Charl played two Tests and three ODI's for South Africa between 2000 and 2003. After spending one season with Leicestershire, he linked up with Somerset becoming their leading first-class wicket taker in 2006 with 66 wickets at an average of just over 25 in a season which included career-bests of 47 batting against Worcestershire and 7 for 44 against Gloucestershire. In 2007, he helped Somerset achieve promotion to Division I of the County Championship.

Tall and athletic, he claimed 47 wickets at an average of 34.65 in 14 County Championship matches in 2011 and in a first-class career spanning 224 matches, he has now taken a total of 827 wickets @25.83.

He is also a reliable performer in one-day cricket with 255 List A victims @27.81.