BETWAY SA20 ROOKIE CLASS OF 2024 CONFIRMED

The inaugural Rookie Draft at the Betway SA player auction, delivered some interesting sub-plots as two schoolboys are among the six players completing their respective team's squads for Season 2.

Each fulfilled stated criteria for the category, namely a South African player aged 22 or under on the day of the auction that has not been contracted to SA20 before.

MI Cape Town had the the first pick and promptly confirmed that they would be bringing Connor Esterhuizen to the Cape. The Lions-contracted wicketkeeper-batter played in a rival league last time around but will be aiming to announce himself locally in Season 2.

With the Rookie draft running in reverse order to where the teams finished last season, Durban's Super Giants revealed their choice next and they decided to go local, selecting former SA U-19 captain and Dolphins contractee Bryce Parsons. The 22-year-old left-handed batter and left-arm orthodox spinner has previously spoken about modelling his approach to the game on that of Quinton de Kock so will no doubt lap up all insight he can get from his new teammate during Season 2.

Paarl Royals, having already stealthily pre-signed highly-rated left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka earlier in the year, decided on another 17-year-old as their official rookie - Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a batter who can both keep wicket and bowl spin. Of course, Pretorius is school mates with Maphaka at St Stithians, celebrates his birthday two weeks before and both are set to represent South Africa at next year's Under-19 World Cup.

Much like the Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings decided to reward one of their own, handing their rookie gig to Ronan Herrmann, who is on a High Performance deal with the Lions. The 19-year-old top-order batsman-come-wicketkeeper was an injury-replacement at the previous Under-19 World Cup.

Up the M1 highway, Pretoria Capitals had no hesitation in naming schoolboy batting star Steve Stolk as their rookie (after spending big to keep Matthew Boast out of the other teams' clutches). Still only in Grade 11 at Menlopark High, Stolk sure knows how to hit big as a highlights package keenly shared by the Capitals reveals...

Inaugural Betway SA20 champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, had the remaining 74 players to select from when their turn finally arrived and they decided to for an established domestic player in Andile Simelane. The 20-year-old all-rounder featured at the previous Under-19 World Cup and will make the journey down the coast from his responsibilities with the Dolphins when Betway SA20 Season 2 rolls around.

ROOKIE CLASS OF 2024

MI Cape Town: Connor Esterhuizen

Durban’s Super Giants: Bryce Parsons

Paarl Royals: Lhuan-dre Pretorius

Joburg Super Kings: Ronan Herrmann

Pretoria Capitals: Steve Stolk

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Andile Simelane

Listed in order which they were selected