Joburg Super Kings Squad and Schedule SA20 2027: Full Squad

An 18-Year-Old Record Buy and Kieron Pollard: Inside Joburg Super Kings' New Look

Who did they sign?

Joburg Super Kings made 18-year-old all-rounder Jason Rowles the most expensive player of the auction at R2.9 million. They also signed Kieron Pollard (R1.5 million) and bought back Faf du Plessis (R2.7 million).

Who is the new coach?

Albie Morkel has taken over as head coach from Stephen Fleming, who stepped away in July.

How did they do last season?

They reached the playoffs but lost the Eliminator to Paarl Royals. Joburg have never reached an SA20 final.

When is their first match?

Monday, January 18, 2027, away to Paarl Royals at Boland Park (5:30 PM local, 9:00 PM IST, 10:30 AM ET).

The Story: A New Direction in Johannesburg

Joburg Super Kings are the Johannesburg sister team of the Chennai Super Kings, one of the most successful sides in the IPL. In the SA20, though, they have mostly disappointed. They have never reached a final, and last season ended with a 36-run defeat to Paarl Royals in the Eliminator.

For readers new to the competition: the SA20 is South Africa's franchise T20 league. Six city-based teams play each other twice, 10 games each, and the top four reach the playoffs. In T20 cricket each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries), so a match lasts about three and a half hours.

So Joburg went for a reset. In August they released Faf du Plessis, their captain for the first four seasons and the franchise's leading run-scorer, along with Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger. Then came a change of coach, with former Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel replacing Stephen Fleming.

At the October 7 auction, the plan became clearer: young talent, big-name experience, and a familiar face back at the Wanderers.

The Talking Points

Jason Rowles, the Record Teenager

The headline buy was Jason Rowles, an 18-year-old left-handed batter who bowls left-arm spin. Joburg won a bidding war with MI Cape Town to sign him for R2.9 million, the highest price of the whole auction.

Rowles was South Africa's leading run-scorer at the Under-19 World Cup, with 280 runs in five innings at an average of 70. SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith called him "the highlight of the day for me."

Faf Is Back

Two months after letting him go, Joburg bought Faf du Plessis back for R2.7 million, again beating MI Cape Town in the bidding. Now 42, du Plessis is one of only four players to have scored an SA20 hundred. The franchise has not yet confirmed who will captain the side.

Pollard Joins From the Rivals

Kieron Pollard, a long-time Mumbai Indians stalwart who had played for MI Cape Town, switched to Joburg for R1.5 million. The 39-year-old is one run short of 15,000 T20 runs, a mark only Jos Buttler has reached.

Holder and an Overseas Core

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder was Joburg's big pre-auction signing. He joins fellow overseas players Akeal Hosein, James Vince and Leus du Plooy, with Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani added at the auction.

Who Left

Wiaan Mulder went to MI Cape Town for R2.6 million after Joburg released him, and Nandre Burger joined Sunrisers Eastern Cape for R500,000.

The Full Joburg Super Kings Squad

18 players listed. Joburg's wildcard place had not been confirmed at the time of writing.

Auction Buys

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Players to Watch

Jason Rowles: The record buy. An 18-year-old who bats left-handed and bowls left-arm spin.

Faf du Plessis: The franchise's all-time leading run-scorer is back for a fifth season.

Kieron Pollard: One of T20 cricket's great finishers, closing in on 15,000 runs.

Jason Holder: A tall all-rounder who bowls tight overs and hits hard lower down.

James Vince: Top-scored with 47 in last season's Eliminator and remains a key batter at the top of the order.

Rilee Rossouw: A powerful left-hander who can take on any attack.

Joburg Super Kings Fixtures (Local, IST and ET)

All matches are in South Africa. Five are at home at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, and five are away.

Home games in bold. Local time is South Africa Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). ET is US Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5). Every start falls on the same calendar date in all three zones.

The fixture pattern: Joburg open with two away games in the Western Cape, then play four of their last six at home. The two Gauteng derbies against Pretoria Capitals come back to back on February 5 and 7.

Playoffs (If They Qualify)

Two playoff games are at the Wanderers, so a third or fourth-place finish could still mean home advantage on the road to the final.

Stat Corner

The Season at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Joburg Super Kings coach for SA20 2027?

Albie Morkel, who replaced Stephen Fleming.

Is Faf du Plessis playing for Joburg Super Kings?

Yes. He was released in August but bought back at the auction for R2.7 million.

Who was the most expensive player at the SA20 2027 auction?

Jason Rowles, bought by Joburg Super Kings for R2.9 million.

When do Joburg Super Kings play their first match?

Monday, January 18, 2027, away to Paarl Royals at Boland Park, at 5:30 PM local, 9:00 PM IST and 10:30 AM ET.

Have Joburg Super Kings won the SA20?

No. They have not yet reached an SA20 final.

Related Guides and Series Coverage

📋 SA20 2027 Full Schedule, Fixtures and Venues

📋 Paarl Royals Squad and Schedule for SA20 2027: Joe Root Returns as Miller's Royals Chase a First Final

📋 MI Cape Town Squad and Schedule for SA20 2027: Boult Returns as Mulder and Hetmyer Join Rashid's Side

📋 T20 Cricket Explained: Rules, Format and How It Works