Durban's Super Giants bolster SA20 squad with local firepower as Markram, Coetzee, Maphaka join ranks

Durban’s Super Giants have significantly bolstered their squad with some high-profile signings, including that of Proteas T20I captain Aiden Markram at the SA20 Auction held in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

After reaching the final in the second season, the Durban-based side endured a dramatic fall from grace in the third edition, finishing bottom of the standings with just two wins from ten round-robin fixtures earlier this year.

As a result, head coach Lance Klusener found himself under pressure, although the franchise opted to retain him for the fourth season, which is set to kick off on Boxing Day later this year.

Held at The Galleria Conference and Events Venue in Sandton, the auction saw the Super Giants come out firing, clearly determined to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming campaign.

In a surprising turn of events, the franchise made a bold play for Markram — a move few expected, with many anticipating the Proteas skipper to head to the Pretoria Capitals, who entered the auction with the largest purse.

However, the Super Giants stunned the room by aggressively bidding for the 30-year-old, eventually outduelling the Capitals with a bid of R12.4 million. Markram’s previous franchise, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, held a right-to-match clause and exercised it — forcing the Super Giants to raise their offer.

Ultimately, Durban sealed the deal with a record-breaking R14 million bid, ensuring they secured one of the country’s premier white-ball talents.

Among their other marquee signings were Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, acquired for a hefty R7.4 million, and promising youngster Kwena Maphaka for R2.3 million. They also secured local players Ethan Bosch (R1.75 million), Andile Simelane (R200,000), and Marques Ackerman (R200,000) to round out a well-balanced squad.

Defending champions MI Cape Town made arguably the smartest purchases of the auction, despite entering with the smallest purse. They managed to snap up Reeza Hendricks for just R500,000 — a staggering bargain considering he cost them R4.3 million at last year’s auction.

Last season’s runners-up and two-time champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, also made some big moves, signing Quinton de Kock (R2.4 million), Matthew Breetzke (R6.1 million), and Anrich Nortje (R5 million). However, they lost paceman Ottniel Baartman, who was snapped up by the Paarl Royals for R5.1 million as the Boland side sought to bolster their pace attack.

The biggest signing of the day belonged to the Pretoria Capitals, who secured young star Dewald Brevis for a record R16.5 million — making him the most expensive player in SA20 history.

Meanwhile, the Joburg Super Kings had a relatively quiet auction, with their most notable move being the acquisition of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder for R9 million.