Five players to watch at the 2024 SA20

Some of the best limited-over cricketers in the world are descending on Mzansi for the extravaganza as six teams battle for top honours. 

Here, SABC Sport takes a look at five players who are all-but guaranteed to set the tournament alight.

Faf du Plessis

Like a fine red wine, the 39-year-old has seemingly got better with age. Du Plessis scored the second most runs in the 2023 SA20, helped by a superlative 113*, the highest knock of the tournament. 

The former Proteas skipper will lead the charge for the Joburg Super Kings at the top of the order. Runs aside, he offers a wealth of experience on the field. 

It will be a pleasure to see the salt and pepper du Plessis grace Mzansi's hallowed grounds once again. 

Will Jacks

The Englishman is not one to die wondering. Given his chance to shine amongst the star-studded Pretoria Capitals outfit last year, Jacks swung for the fences. And it paid off. He struck a tournament-leading 19 sixes and an incredible strike rate of 201. 

Jacks was handy with his limited chances with the ball as well, picking up three wickets in his three overs. We expect to see more of him this time around.

Gerald Coetzee

The Karate Kid was all fire and brimstone in 2023. Running in like a freight train for the Super Kings, the right-arm seamer enjoyed the lively local pitches and scooped 17 wickets in his nine matches at a devastating 13.52 average. 

Since that first edition, Coetzee has enjoyed a successful year with the Proteas and was their leading wicket-taker at the World Cup. With this experience under his belt, Coetzee will be a handful.

Aiden Markram

Oh captain, my captain. Wearing the armband, Markram guided the Eastern Cape Sunrisers all the way to the title last time out. But it wasn't just his leadership, as the Proteas star contributed with the bat and ball. 

Markram accumulated the third most runs and also picked up 11 wickets on his way to earning the Player of the Series accolade. 

Coming off a sparkling century against India in red ball cricket, Markram should pick up where he left off.

Kieron Pollard

Making his SA20 debut, the West Indies all-rounder is set to captain MI Cape Town. 

The 36-year-old is an incredibly experienced campaigner with over 100 T20I caps, a T20 World Cup trophy and no less than five IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians. 

A power hitter, Pollard can clear any boundary and is useful with the ball as well. 

The former West Indies captain will be eager to leave his mark on another franchise.  

The second edition of the SA20 starts on Wednesday when the defending champions Eastern Cape Sunrisers host the Joburg Super Kings in Gqeberha. 

READ MORE: SA20 2024 format, fixtures and teams explained