The SA20 Auction is set to commence on 19 September 2022 at 14:00 local time. This is therefore the perfect time to have a look at some of the players who have entered and made the cut-off list for the auction.
But before we get to the players on the list, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- 318 players have made the cut-off
- Teams will have a total budget of $2 million (around R 34 million)
- Each squad can have up to 17 players in total, with a maximum of 7 overseas players
- 22 players have been pre-signed, leaving room for 80 players to be picked in the auction
- The price paid for players signed prior to the auction will be deducted from the budget
A quick recap of the players who have been signed before the auction
| Pretoria Capitals – Anrich Nortje – Miguel Pretorius | Joburg Super Kings – Faf du Plessis – Gerald Coetzee – Romario Shepherd – Maheesh Theekshana | Durban Super Giants – Quinton de Kock – Prenulan Subrayen – Jason Holder – Kyle Mayers – Reece Topley |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape – Aiden Markram – Ottniel Baartman | MI Cape Town – Kagiso Rabada – Dewald Brevis – Rashid Khan – Liam Livingstone – Sam Curren | Paarl Royals – David Miller – Corbin Bosch – Jos Buttler – Obed McCoy |
Now on to the player list for the auction which I have decided to divide into 5 main categories:
- Overseas
- SA capped
- UK-based SA players
- Uncapped potential
- Old warhorses
I will highlight players in each category I believe are deserving of a raised paddle come the 19th.
Overseas– 158 players (base price in brackets)
- Jimmy Neesham (R 1,7 mil)
- Eoin Morgan (R 1,7 mil)
- Adil Rashid (R 1,7 mil)
- Ross Taylor (R 850K)
- Mitchell McClenaghan (R 850K)
- Harry Brook (R 850K)
- Phil Salt (R 850K)
- Will Jacks (R 850K)
- Harry Tector (R 850K)
- Odean Smith (powerful batter who can bowl 140kph+ and get steep bounce, but his base price of R1,7 mil is even steeper. Teams shouldn’t be spending more than double that to acquire his services)
- Alzarri Joseph (R850K) (has serious pace, albeit not always controlled, and can hit a long ball)
Though there is room for 7 overseas players per squad, I would lean towards picking more local talent. There are a few good overseas options, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable bidding on 42 in total, keeping in mind that only 4 can play in an XI and that there are better local options as highlighted in the rest of the categories.
Hopefully, if the first year of the SA20 is a success it will draw in bigger T20 players, most of whom will be going to the UAE league for now, in years to come.
SA Capped
Inside circle
- Lungi Ngidi (R 850K)
- Dwaine Pretorius (R 850K)
- Tristan Stubbs (R 175K)
- Rilee Rossouw (R 850K)
- Reeza Hendricks (R 850K)
- Heinrich Klaasen (R 175K)
- Tabraiz Shamsi (R 850K)
- Keshav Maharaj (R 850K)
- Wayne Parnell (R 175K)
- Bjorn Fortuin (R 175K)
- Temba Bavuma (R 850K)
- Rassie van der Dussen (R 850K)
Outskirts
- George Linde (R 175K)
- Janneman Malan (R 850K)
- Kyle Verreynne (R 175K)
- Ryan Rickleton (R 175K)
- Lizaad Williams (R 175K)
- Beuran Hendricks (R 175K)
- Andile Phehlukwayo (R 850K)
- Sisanda Magala (R 175K)
- Marco Jansen (R 175K)
- Wihan Lubbe (R 175K)
- Wiaan Mulder (R 175K)
- Glenton Stuurman (R 175K)
- Theunis de Bruyn (R 175K)
- Senuran Muthusamy (R 175K)
- Daryn Dupavillon (R 175K)
- Dane Paterson (R 175K)
- Sarel Erwee (R 175K)
UK based SA players
- Marchant de Lange (England) (R 850K)
- Leus du Plooy (England) (R 175K)
- David Bedingham (still listed as a SA player) (R 175K)
- Dane Vilas (still listed as a SA player) (R 175K)
- Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands) (R 175K)
- Stephen Eskinazi (England) (R 175K)
Uncapped Potential – base prices R 175,000
- Donavon Ferreira
- Delano Potgieter
- Wesley Marshall
- Ferisco Adams
- Imran Manack
- Marco Marais
- Mitchell van Buuren
- Nandre Burger
- Duan Jansen
- Toni de Zorzi
- Jacques Snyman
- Andries Gous
- Sibs Makhanya
- Eathan Bosch
- Marques Ackerman
- Grant Roelofsen
- Aya Gqamane
- Diego Rosier
- Matthew Breetzke
- Lesiba Ngoepe
- Codi Yusuf
- Evan Jones
- Shane Dadswell
- Heath Richards
- Jean du Plessis
- Johan van Dyk
- Junaid Dawood
- Matthew Boast
- Bryce Parsons
- Jonathan Bird
- Hershelle America
- Eben Botha
Old Warhorses – base prices R 175,000
- Jon Jon Smuts
- Pite van Biljon
- Cameron Delport
- Aaron Phangiso
- Farhaan Behardien
- Christiaan Jonker
- Richard Levi
- Kyle Abbott
- Shaun von Berg
In total, this adds up to 85 players I feel are worth being bid on, though there are others who could also easily make a team. Remember that only 80 players will be lucky enough to make a side, so, unfortunately, as with any team-based competition, there will be players who will miss out. An auction also usually springs up a few surprises.
As I mentioned an extensive list, let me narrow it down to the 10 SA players whom I believe teams should go all out for:
- Tristan Stubbs
- Lungi Ngidi
- Rilee Rossouw
- Reeza Hendricks
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Sisanda Magala
- Donavon Ferreira
- Delano Potgieter
- Jon-Jon Smuts
The auction can be life-changing for some players, not only because of the money on offer, but also because of the opportunity to be seen on the world stage. The IPL owners will be keeping a keen eye out for any standout performers and with the ever-growing franchise circuit around the world, offers could start rolling in for those who take well to the limelight.
Let’s wait and see who goes under the hammer and over XXpectations.
