Is Maphaka the Next Big Star in the SA20 Auction?

New Delhi, Aug 13 (NationPress) Former Proteas all-rounder Chris Morris has expressed his insights regarding the upcoming SA20 season 4 player auction, set for September 9. He highlighted that emerging pacer Kwena Maphaka could ignite fierce bidding wars, while also identifying Aiden Markram as one of the key players to watch.

The 19-year-old Maphaka made a remarkable debut with a sensational spell of 4-20 against Australia in the first T20I on Sunday. This outstanding performance earned him the distinction of becoming the youngest bowler from full member cricket nations to achieve four wickets in a T20I match, breaking the previous record held by Wayne Parnell, who was 19 years and 318 days old when he accomplished the feat against the West Indies in 2009.

"I believe Kwena Maphaka will be central to a bidding frenzy. Dewald Brevis is another hot prospect, especially since he hasn’t been retained. Rassie van der Dussen, given his experience, could also attract significant interest," Morris stated during an interview with SuperSport.

"I always keep an eye out for players who go for unexpectedly high prices — the hidden gems of the tournament. Delano Potgieter could be that player this time. He has proven success in SA20, performed admirably for MI Cape Town, and is a reliable asset in domestic cricket. His versatility adds invaluable balance to a team — the kind of player I’d sign without hesitation," he added.

Aiden Markram, who led the Sunrisers to two consecutive titles in 2023 and 2024, has chosen not to be retained by the two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape and will enter the auction ahead of the new SA20 season. However, the Sunrisers have the option to utilize a right-to-match card if they wish to reacquire Markram.

"The Sunrisers haven't retained him, but they have a right-to-match card, which allows them to match any final bid for him. This opens up strategic possibilities — other teams might bid aggressively to inflate his price, making it challenging for the Sunrisers to regain his services," commented Markram.

"Two teams stand out: MI Cape Town, which needs a captain; not that Rashid Khan is performing poorly, but having a successful local captain at number four would significantly enhance their lineup, especially after releasing Rassie van der Dussen and leaving a gap at number three.

"The other is Pretoria Capitals, who have one of the largest available budgets. As a local player, he could fill the captaincy role, slot into number three, and provide strong leadership following Rilee Rossouw’s tenure last year. Regardless, Aiden Markram is set to be a coveted player," he elaborated.

The six franchises will have a combined budget of R131 million to allocate across 84 spots to finalize their respective 19-player squads, making it the largest Betway SA20 auction since the inaugural event in 2022. The player registration deadline, for both local and international players, is set for August 18.

"Auctions are always thrilling, irrespective of the tournament, but SA20 is particularly significant, as most players are back in the pool. There have been numerous retentions and several wild cards selected, so it will be fascinating to witness how teams construct their squads.

"Some franchises possess ample funds, while others have already filled half their rosters and have limited budgets remaining. As a result, many domestic players are likely to seize opportunities this season due to the current financial dynamics at play.

"I’ve begun my analysis, examining the teams, their rosters, and available players, with several thoughts on potential player placements. This is an exciting time of year, and SA20 promises to be even more significant this season," concluded Morris.