The start of the third edition of the SA20 is just over three months away, and the much anticipated auction was concluded on Tuesday.
The Durban’s Super Giants have covered all the bases, and on paper, they will be a force to be reckoned with next season.
The last two editions of the tournament have met and exceeded expectations, and as a result, more high-profile players will be making their way onto South African shores for what promises to be another exciting competition.
The KZN side have secured the services of well-travelled New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, as well as experienced English all-rounder Chris Woakes, to add to an already imposing line-up that includes Australia’s Marcus Stoinis and the Proteas duo of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klassen.
West Indian opening batter Brandon King will also make his debut appearance in the tournament, and he will bring his blitz power and Caribbean flair to the top of the order, while Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq comes in to offer his pace and variety.
The 20-year-old Warriors all-rounder CJ King was selected in the rookie draft.
The 2023/24 finalists have a perfect balance. They have assembled one of the strongest squads in the tournament, and could be in line to go one better than last season after falling short in the final against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 89 runs.
Skipper Kesh can't wait to welcome our newest additions to his home 💙 pic.twitter.com/i1fh3BoWOg
— Durban's Super Giants (@DurbansSG) October 1, 2024
The Durban-based side have also secured the services of former Proteas fast bowler Allan Donald, and he makes his SA20 debut as the bowling coach of the 2023/24 season runners-up.
He joins a number of former national team players, and is excited to share his experience with a pool of talent at his disposal.
“I have been a couch supporter; I can’t speak with any experience of what it’s like to be in this league,” Donald said post the auction.
“I said to Graeme (Smith, SA20 commissioner) after the first edition at Boland Park that this is one of the proudest days to be a South African, and seeing what is happening here and seeing the stadiums full makes you incredibly proud.
“It’s a wonderful feeling, and also joining up with two ex-teammates, Jonty (Rhodes) and Lance (Klusener), will be an even bigger thing. I’m extremely privileged to be a part of it, and I look forward to what lies ahead in January.”
LET. US. COOK.🔥💙 pic.twitter.com/ZoRt2lKKfI
— Durban's Super Giants (@DurbansSG) October 1, 2024
The Super Giants also brought in West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph after their failed attempt to get Richard Gleeson, and Donald is happy about his signing.
“We were looking at how we are going to get Glees; everyone is talking about him, and I have seen him bowl in the UK (United Kingdom).
“He’s very good at what he does in this format of the game. We lost out, and we quickly had to go again. Should we go for Josh Little? Or should we go for Shamar Joseph? And eventually it came down to the youngster (Joseph).
“You’ve got to have enough in your arsenal, and he’s a very exciting youngster. I saw him a couple of years ago when he won a Test match on the back of his own bowling against Australia.”
Durban’s Super Giants Squad
Brandon King (West Indies), Quinton de Kock, Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Chris Woakes (England), Prenelan Subrayen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Noor Ahmed (Afghanistan), Heinrich Klaasen, Jon-Jon Smuts, Wiaan Mulder, Junior Dala, Bryce Parsons, Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Marcus Stoinis (Australia), Shamar Joseph (West Indies), CJ King (rookie).