Reeza Hendricks tops the billing at Betway SA20 Season 3 Auction

Fascinating rookie players being drafted in the new class

1 October 2024: Following a successful third auction in Cape Town on Tuesday, Betway SA20 has advanced to the next phase for Season 3. Six Rookie draft picks and the remaining thirteen spots were up for grabs at the auction, and the League received over 580 applications for them.

Cricket Reeza Hendricks, the SA T20 Cricketer of the Year, was the most sought-after selection; the fashionable right-hander will cost R4.3 million to MI Cape Town. 

MI Cape Town and the Pretoria Capitals engaged in a bidding war for Hendricks, a former player for the Johannesburg Super Kings, which the Newlands-based team ultimately prevailed in.

In addition, MI Cape Town brought born-and-bred Capetonian Dane Piedt (R175 000) back to Newlands and signed former Protea Colin Ingram (R175 000) as another top-order batsman.

In order to strengthen their chances of winning a historic three Betway SA20 championship crowns, Sunrisers Eastern Cape signed English seamer Richard Gleeson for R2.3 million and paceman Okuhle Cele for R175,000. Gleeson, who spent the previous season playing for the Super Giants in Durban, will now reside in St George's Park. 

Under their new coach Jonathan Trott, the Pretoria Capitals brought all-rounder Kyle Simmons (R175 000) and West Indies opener Evin Lewis (R1.5 million) to Centurion in an attempt to acquire top-order batsmen.

Allan Donald, a former Proteas fast bowling great, recently joined the coaching team of Durban's Super Giants. His effect was instantly apparent as the runners-up from the previous season, Shamar Joseph (R425 000), is a West Indies fast bowling sensation.

At their base pricing of R175 000, the Joburg Super Giants signed Wihan Lubbe and Evan Jones, while Paarl Royals' only selection of the evening was wicket-keeper batsman Rubin Hermann (R175 000). 

Graeme Smith, the commissioner of the Betway SA20 League, stated, "I think all six teams look very strong." "From the standpoint of the League, we hope to see all six teams competing. We have a great mix of fantastic international stars and some exceptional South Africans joining us for Season 3.

As a cricket competition, we hope to witness an annual improvement in the strength of the South African players. We have witnessed the IPL's success and the quantity of players available for selection for India. With someone like Ottneil Baartman, I believe we witnessed that improvement last year. He had a fantastic World Cup, and more players of that caliber are about to emerge. 

"I don't believe South African cricket has ever experienced an occasion where there is this much excellent cricket in a single month. Smith continued, "If you consider the matches that these six teams will play, it's something that will be unmatched."

After being drafted at the auction, Tristan Luus (MI Cape Town) and Dewan Marais (Paarl Royals), who both competed in the ICC U19 Men's World Cup earlier this year, brought great attention to the Rookie section once more.

In terms of the opportunities and journey, the Rookie component has been a wonderful value addition. This year, many Rookies were kept in the starting lineups, according to Smith. 

"A lot of young players are on the teams when you look at them as a whole. Some of those have demonstrated strong starts to domestic contests.

"They will now have the chance to compete against and pick up tips from the world's top players."

In just 100 days, the third season of the competition will begin on January 9, 2025, at St. George's Park in Gqeberha, when the defending champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, take against MI Cape Town. 

Complete List of SA20 Auction Purchases on Betway

MI Reeza Hendricks (R4.3m), Colin Ingram (R175 000), and Dane Piedt (R175 000) are in Cape Town. Luus Tristan (Rookie)

Evin Lewis (R1.5 million), Marques Ackerman (R800 000), Kyle Simmons (R175 000), and Keegan-Lion Cache (Rookie) are the Pretoria Capitals.

Rubin Hermann (R175 000) and Dewan Marais (Rookie) are the Paarl Royals.

Joburg Super Kings: Doug Bracewell (R175 000), JP King (Rookie), Evan Jones (R175 000), and Wihan Lubbe (R175 000).

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Okuhle Cele (R175 000), Richard Gleeson (R2.3m), Daniel Smith (Rookie)

The Super Giants of Durban are CJ King (a rookie) and Shamar Joseph (R425 000).