Joburg Super Kings made the biggest splash at the SA20 Season 5 auction, securing veteran all-rounder Kieron Pollard and South Africa Under-19 prospect Jason Rowles among six additions to their squad.
Pollard, 39, was bought for R1.5 million, marking his first move into the Super Kings franchise network after spending much of his T20 career with teams from the MI family. Rowles commanded the highest price of the auction, with Joburg Super Kings spending R2.9 million on the young all-rounder.
The Super Kings also brought back Faf du Plessis for R2.7 million, adding a familiar face to their squad. Dayyaan Galiem, Blessing Muzarabani and Andries Gous completed their auction business.
SA20 auction: Rowles attracts the biggest bid
The auction’s largest price went to Rowles, who has emerged through the South African Under-19 setup.
Joburg Super Kings entered the auction with the biggest purse and used it aggressively. Their six purchases included a mix of experience and youth, with Pollard and du Plessis providing considerable T20 pedigree alongside the younger Rowles.
Pollard’s move was particularly notable. The former Mumbai Indians star has been part of the wider MI setup across multiple leagues, including MI Cape Town, MI Emirates and MI New York.
His arrival gives Joburg another experienced campaigner as they prepare for the new SA20 season.
SA20 auction: MI Cape Town make six additions
MI Cape Town also had six places to fill and began their auction with Shimron Hetmyer, who was the first player nominated on the night.
They later secured Wiaan Mulder for R2.6 million after a competitive bidding battle with Joburg Super Kings. Trent Boult also returns to the Cape Town franchise, while Daniel Smith, Lehan Botha and Oliver Whitehead were added at lower prices.
Mulder’s late bid made him one of the notable purchases of the auction, while Boult’s return adds another established international name to the MI Cape Town attack.
SA20 auction: Capitals strengthen with Bavuma
Pretoria Capitals entered the auction with five slots available and completed their business with a combination of experienced international players and emerging talent.
Rassie van der Dussen, who had initially gone unsold during the marquee round, was brought back for R500,000.
The Capitals also signed Temba Bavuma, Keemo Paul, Ackeem Auguste and Josh Breed, with each of the latter three costing R200,000.
Bavuma’s addition gives the Capitals another experienced South African batter, while van der Dussen adds further depth at the top of the order.
SA20 auction: Sunrisers make two moves
Sunrisers Eastern Cape had only two vacancies and filled both.
Nandre Burger joined for R500,000, while English all-rounder Craig Overton attracted a R1.5 million deal.
Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals did not make any purchases. Both franchises had already completed their squads before the auction, following the increase in the SA20 salary cap to R42 million.
The auction therefore belonged largely to Joburg Super Kings, who combined a headline veteran signing in Pollard with the biggest purchase of the night in Rowles.
With the major squad gaps now filled, the focus shifts towards how the new additions fit into the teams ahead of the fifth season of the SA20.
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