The SA20 Season 5 Player Auction produced a captivating blend of proven international pedigree and exciting young talent as the four remaining franchises finalised their squads on Wednesday in Johannesburg.
It was only last year that he was participating in the Final of the rain Schools SA20 and today he will get to be a part of a squad consisting of some of the world’s best T20 stars. “It’s also really pleasing to see so many Proteas players being picked up today. A strong League and a strong national team go hand in hand, and today was a good example of that,” Smith added.
Pollard will bring his trademark power-hitting, game management and championship-winning pedigree to the Super Kings. That’s the pathway we set out to build, and it’s hugely encouraging to see it working,” he added. Pollard, the legendary T20 all-rounder, who is the all-time leading run-scorer in men’s T20 cricket history, was snapped up by Joburg Super Kings for $90,162 USD. “Seeing an 18-year-old spark the biggest bidding battle of the day tells you how much the franchises believe in the next generation. Three-times champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape once again showed their shrewdness at the auction table by completing their 19-player squad with the addition of Proteas left-arm seamer Nandre Burger and England allrounder Craig Overton. SA20 Season 5 gets underway on Sunday, January 17, 2027, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape hosting Pretoria Capitals at St George’s Park in Gqeberha in a repeat of last season’s final.
Meanwhile, SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said that Jason Rowles was the highlight of the auction for him.
