New Delhi, Nov 7 (NationPress) Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is prepared to rejoin the Durban's Super Giants (DSG) for the upcoming 2026 edition of the SA20, stepping in for Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. According to ESPNcricinfo, Taijul, who was signed by DSG for R500,000 (around USD 28,858) during the mega auction in September, is anticipated to miss the tournament’s fourth season. His absence has paved the way for the seasoned New Zealand batter to make his comeback to the franchise.

Williamson previously played for DSG in the 2025 SA20 season, marking his inaugural season in the tournament. He was the team’s top run-scorer, accumulating 233 runs in eight innings with an impressive average of 46.60 and a strike rate of 118.87. Despite his performance, he was released after the season.

The team faced challenges, finishing at the bottom of the table, but Williamson’s batting consistency was a rare highlight in their otherwise lackluster campaign. His return indicates that DSG is eager to bring stability and experience to their batting order as they strive for improvement in the 2026 season.

Williamson’s re-engagement in the SA20 further enhances his growing participation in franchise cricket globally. Recently, he accepted a role as strategic advisor to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL.

This year, he made his debut in The Hundred and returned to the Vitality Blast after a seven-year break. His flexible contract with New Zealand Cricket enables him to explore more overseas opportunities.

In a significant shift in his career, Williamson recently declared his retirement from T20 internationals, mere months before the 2026 T20 World Cup. In the SA20 2026, he will join forces with stars like Noor Ahmad, Sunil Narine, and Jos Buttler, as DSG aims to present a stronger challenge. The tournament kicks off on December 26, with DSG set to host MI Cape Town on December 28 in Durban.