By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: SA20.
The Betway SA20 Season 5 Player Auction delivered a mix of established international stars and emerging South African talent, with 18 year old Jason Rowles emerging as the surprise headline act in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The Under 23 prospect sparked the fiercest bidding battle of the day between Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town before JSK secured his services for R2.9 million, making him the auction’s most expensive signing.
Rowles’ price tag underlined the growing value of South Africa’s next generation of cricketers, with the league’s franchises increasingly willing to invest heavily in young talent.
“Jason Rowles was the highlight of the day for me,” SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith said. “Seeing an 18 year old spark the biggest bidding battle of the day tells you how much the franchises believe in the next generation.”
The teenager was a finalist in the Schools SA20 last year and will now share a dressing room with some of the biggest names in T20 cricket.
The established stars were not short of attention either.
Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis returned to Joburg Super Kings for R2.7 million after attracting strong interest from MI Cape Town. The 42 year old will remain at the Wanderers, where he has played throughout the previous four SA20 seasons.
JSK also added West Indies great Kieron Pollard for R1.5 million, bringing one of the most decorated players in T20 history into their squad. Jamie Overton was subsequently confirmed as the franchise’s Wildcard player.
MI Cape Town made a statement of their own, paying R2.6 million for Proteas all rounder Wiaan Mulder and R1.5 million for West Indies power hitter Shimron Hetmyer.
New Zealand fast bowling great Trent Boult also returns to MI Cape Town, with 21 year old Oliver Whitehead added to strengthen their seam options.
Pretoria Capitals secured former Proteas batter Rassie van der Dussen for R500,000 as they look to go one step further after finishing runners up to Sunrisers Eastern Cape last season.
They will also have Proteas Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma in their ranks. The 36 year old returns for a third SA20 stint after playing a key role in Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s first two title victories.
Sunrisers, meanwhile, completed their 19 player squad with Proteas left arm seamer Nandre Burger and England all rounder Craig Overton.
The reigning champions now boast a formidable pace attack featuring Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Adam Milne and Lutho Sipamla.
The auction also underlined the competition’s growing international reach, with Joburg Super Kings signing USA international Andries Gous and Zimbabwe seamer Blessing Muzarabani.
“It’s also really pleasing to see so many Proteas players being picked up today,” Smith said. “A strong League and a strong national team go hand in hand, and today was a good example of that.”
All six franchises have now finalised their 19 player squads ahead of Season 5.
The new campaign begins on Sunday, 17 January 2027, when Sunrisers Eastern Cape host Pretoria Capitals at St George’s Park in Gqeberha in a repeat of last season’s final.