Kieron Pollard made his debut within the Super Kings franchise, serving as the central figure of the SA20 season five player auction held on Wednesday, October 7. The 39-year-old veteran all-rounder, long associated with the MI cricket family across various global leagues, was secured by the Joburg Super Kings for R1.5 million without facing any competition. Who spent years with the MI family playing for Mumbai Indians, MI Cape Town, MI Emirates and MI New York in different competitions, was snapped up unopposed by Joburg Super Kings, the 39-year-old veteran all-rounder. Retained players: Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Eathan Bosch, Jos Buttler (England), Gerald Coetzee, Devon Conway (New Zealand), Tony de Zorzi, Daryn Dupavillon, Simon Harmer, Evan Jones, Heinrich Klaasen (Wildcard), Liam Livingstone (England), Kwena Maphaka – U23, Aiden Markram, Sunil Narine (West Indies), Andile Simelane – U23, Kyle Simmonds, Kane Williamson (New Zealand). Retained players: Ottneil Baartman, JJ Basson – U23, Bjorn Fortuin, Rubin Hermann, Dan Lawrence (England), Keagan Lion-Cachet, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena – U23, Gudakesh Motie (West Indies), Delano Potgieter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius – U23, Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Thomas Rew (England), Asa Tribe (Jersey), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan), Kyle Verreynne, Hardus Viljoen.
The highest bid of the session was secured by South Africa U19 talent Jason Rowles, who signed with the Super Kings for R2.9 million. Utilizing their substantial auction budget, the franchise also re-signed Faf du Plessis for R2.7 million, alongside additions including Dayyaan Galiem, Blessing Muzarabani, and Andries Gous. The Super Kings completed their roster with four more picks: Faf du Plessis returned to the yellow kit for R2.7 million, aside from Pollard and Rowles.
MI Cape Town filled six roster spots, beginning their activity by signing Shimron Hetmyer. They also acquired Wiaan Mulder following a competitive bid against the Super Kings, alongside the return of Trent Boult and the additions of Daniel Smith, Lehan Botha, and Oliver Whitehead. Pretoria Capitals, acting late in the auction, secured Keemo Paul, Ackeem Auguste, Josh Breed, Temba Bavuma, and Rassie van der Dussen.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape utilized their remaining two slots to pick up Nandre Burger and Craig Overton. Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals opted not to participate in the auction, having already completed their squads following an increase in the salary cap to R42 million.
Joburg Super Kings
- Retained players: Jarren Bacher, Matthew de Villiers, Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, Dian Forrester, Akeal Hosein, Duan Jansen, Rilee Rossouw, Janco Smit, Prenelan Subrayen, James Vince
- Pre-signings: Jason Holder
- Auction buys: Faf du Plessis (R2.7m), Jason Rowles (R2.9m), Dayyaan Galiem (R375k), Kieron Pollard (R1.5m), Blessing Muzarabani (R500k), Andries Gous (R1m)
MI Cape Town
- Retained players: Corbin Bosch, Reeza Hendricks, Rashid Khan, Thomas Kaber, George Linde, Tristan Luus, Dane Piedt, Nicholas Pooran, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren
- Pre-signings: Will Jacks
- Auction buys: Shimron Hetmyer (R1.5m), Wiaan Mulder (R2.6m), Trent Boult (R1.5m), Daniel Smith (R200k), Lehan Botha (R200k), Oliver Whitehead (R200k)
Pretoria Capitals
- Retained players: Dewald Brevis, Connor Esterhuizen, Wihan Lubbe, Keshav Maharaj, Bayanda Majola, Lungi Ngidi, Bryce Parsons, Gideon Peters, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Lizaad Williams, Codi Yusuf
- Pre-signings: Phil Salt, Matthew Short
- Auction buys: Rassie van der Dussen (R500k), Keemo Paul (R200k), Ackeem Auguste (R200k), Josh Breed (R200k), Temba Bavuma (R200k)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
- Retained players: Matthew Breetzke, James Coles, Quinton de Kock, Lewis Gregory, Jordan Hermann, Marco Jansen, CJ King, JP King, Patrick Kruger, Adam Milne, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell van Buuren
- Pre-signings: Mitchell Marsh, Rishad Hossain
- Auction buys: Nandre Burger (R500k), Craig Overton (R1.5m)
Important Details
- Bought at the auction: Faf du Plessis (2,700,000), Jason Rowles (2,900,000), Dayyaan Galiem (375,000), Kieron Pollard (1,500,000), Blessing Muzarabani (500,000) and Andries Gous (1,000,000).
- Bought at the auction: Shimron Hetmyer (1,500,000), Wiaan Mulder (2,600,000), Trent Boult (1,500,000), Daniel Smith (200,000), Lehan Botha (200,000) and Oliver Whitehead (200,000).
