MI Cape Town Wins Bidding War for Reeza Hendricks at Season 3 Auction
The third Betway SA20 player auction is currently underway in Cape Town, with the six franchise teams finalizing their squads ahead of the much-anticipated Season 3, which kicks off on January 9, 2025.
South African batter Reeza Hendricks stole the spotlight in the early stages of the auction, attracting the highest bid of ₹2.15 crore in Cape Town. Hendricks, a two-time CSA T20 Player of the Year, was released by the Joburg Super Kings at the end of Season 2. Two years ago, the Super Kings acquired the talented right-hander for ₹2.25 crore during the inaugural auction.
Hendricks’ recent form for the Proteas, including back-to-back half-centuries against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, likely contributed to the intense bidding today. MI Cape Town engaged in a fierce bidding war with the Pretoria Capitals, as both southern and northern teams vied for his signature.
The Capitals eventually had to bow out when the bidding reached ₹2.1 crore, allowing MI Cape Town to secure Hendricks. The 33-year-old will now reunite with his Lions teammates, Ryan Rickleton and Rassie van der Dussen, at MI Cape Town.
MI Cape Town showed no signs of slowing down in the auction, immediately snapping up former Proteas batter Colin Ingram. The 38-year-old left-hander previously played for the Pretoria Capitals in the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, the Capitals, still looking to strengthen their top order, won another bidding contest, this time against the Joburg Super Kings, to sign left-handed batter Marques Ackerman for ₹40 lakh.
Back-to-back champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape remained quiet during the initial two sets of the auction but came alive once the fast bowlers entered the fray. English seamer Richard Gleeson, who played for Durban’s Super Giants last season, was purchased for ₹1.15 crore, while young talent Okuhle Cele was picked up for ₹8.75 lakh.
The Joburg Super Kings also made strategic moves, reinforcing their all-rounder department by securing Evan Jones and Wihan Lubbe for ₹8.75 lakh each. Both players were previously with Paarl Royals but were released after last season.
MI Cape Town further delighted their Newlands fans by bringing local off-spinner Dane Piedt home for ₹8.75 lakh.
The auction progressed swiftly, with the Joburg Super Kings adding New Zealand fast bowler Doug Bracewell to their roster for ₹8.75 lakh.
Lastly, Western Province left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds made a move from the Joburg Super Kings to the Pretoria Capitals for ₹8.75 lakh, while Durban’s Super Giants pulled off a coup by acquiring a West Indies fast-bowling sensationfor just ₹21.25 lakh.
