Excitement and anticipation for the inaugural SA20 Auction is heating up as South African and international players look ahead to the historical event. 316 players from 14 different countries will go under the hammer at the Cape Town International Convention Center on Monday.
The six franchise teams have a R34 million-rand salary budget to complete their squads of 17 and will be going head-to-head to bid for local and international T20 talent on their multi-million-dollar shopping spree.
“The SA20 is what South Africa cricket has been waiting for,” Proteas batsman, Rassie van der Dussen said. “We have a deep talent pool, and this competition will showcase the depth in our squads while giving players an opportunity to live out their talent on an international stage. That is going to be brilliant. The standard of cricket in South Africa has always been up there and now the world will see it.”
England international and star T20 bowler, Tymal Mills, hopes to be making a mark on the competition come January 2023.
“It’s exciting to have the first auction of the SA20, I can’t wait to watch and hopefully I get picked up by a team,” he said. “Auctions are always events I look forward to; the anticipation and nerves of waiting to go to a team and not knowing where you are going to go. I have never played in South Africa professionally before and whatever the case may be, I would be excited to get out there in January to experience the SA20.”
The SA20 features a host of South Africa coaches with local experience and knowledge, which opens opportunities for local players to be snapped up for a big prize tag. Lance Klusener, Adrian Birrell and JP Duminy bring their South African expertise as they head up Durban’s Super Giants, Eastern Cape Sunrisers, and the Paarl Royals respectively.
Titans player, Sibonelo Makhanya, says if he is picked, he is looking forward to the opportunity to play with and against some of the best T20 players in the world.
“I’m so excited about my inclusion in the inaugural SA20 auction. It’s a special time for me and other players,” he said. “I am looking forward to the event and the prospect of potentially getting picked up and having the opportunity of sharing the field with experienced T20 International players.”
The auction will be broadcast live on SuperSport and on the SA20 website (www.sa20.co.za)
