Sky Blues well-represented in SA20 auction

The inaugural SA20 auction was held in Cape Town on Monday, 19 September and saw a total of 13 Momentum Multiply Titans bought by the six T20 teams.

Titans players sold in the auction, which went late into Monday, evening amassed a total value of R19 575 000; this excludes some of the big names which were presold before the auction.

The success at the SA20 auction is testament to the quality of players that have come through the Titans Cricket pipeline and further gone on to make a name for themselves nationally and internationally.

“It’s pleasing that our players have done well to get themselves a team in the SA20. The quality of the players and values they’ve gone for is the icing on the cake for us.” enthused Dr Jacques Faul, Titans Cricket CEO.

The Titans have a good track record of producing some of the best South African cricketers over the years and the inclusion of 13 players in the SA20 is another marker of the Union's success.

Along with players, Titans coaching staff will also be involved in the premier T20 competition. Head Coach Mandla Mashimbyi and consultant Richard Das Neves have joined the Paarl Royals as fast bowling and spin bowling coach respectively.

It’s the Titans' very own Lungi Ngidi who was the first player sold in the auction, going for R3.4M in Set 1 followed by Tabraiz Shamsi, R4.3M in Set 2, both players being picked up by Paarl Royals.

“I think one of the big things this competition will bring to South African cricket is the financial benefits for the players. It will also go a long way in exposing our domestic talent to an international market and also playing cricket at a higher level,” Dr Faul continued.

The auction was not without drama, when a bidding war ensued late-on for power hitter Donovan Ferreira.

The Pretoria Capitals and Joburg Super Kings entered into a tussle for the right-hander, but the Capitals weren’t allowed to continue due to the funds left in their purse.

In the end, Ferreira was picked up by the Joburg Super Kings for R5.5M.

“I’ve got no doubt that the Sky Blues flag will be flown high in the SA20 in January, I’m looking forward to seeing all the action unfold.” Dr Faul concluded.

Momentum Multiply Titans players set to play in the SA20 League in January 2023:

Aiden Markram (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Corbin Bosch (Paarl Royals), Dewald Brevis (MI Cape Town), Quinton de Kock (Durban’s Super Giants), Theunis de Bruyn – R1M (Pretoria Capitals), Lungi Ngidi – R3.4M (Paarl Royals), Tabraiz Shamsi – R4.3M (Paarl Royals), Lizaad Williams – R325k (Joburg Super Kings), Donavon Ferreira – R5.5m (Joburg Super Kings), Aya Gqamane – R175k (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Heinrich Klaasen – R4.5m (Durban’s Super Giants), Junior Dala – R175k (Durban’s Super Giants), Simon Harmer – R200k (Durban’s Super Giants)