SA20 AUCTION SMART BUYS: CODI YUSUF

The Betway SA20 Season 3 auction is almost upon us with October 1 saved as the date when the hammer will be brought out again.

The first two auctions certainly had the tongues wagging with some big-money purchases.

However, teams have also made some shrewd purchases with players delivering performances that far outweigh their price tags.

In a new six-part series, SA20 will highlight the bargain buys that have shot the lights out. This week, in the third instalment of the series, we take a look at Paarl Royal’s Codi Yusuf, who was bought for a base price of R175 000.

The lively seamer from Florida in the west of Johannesburg has certainly enjoyed his time down in the Western Cape since the inception of Betway SA20.

Unheralded prior to the launch of South Africa’s premier T20 competition, Yusuf has made significant strides over the past two seasons. 

The 26-year-old has fully immersed himself in the culture at Boland Park, becoming one of Royals’ go-to-men very quickly, and then transferring that experience to his play in domestic cricket for the Lions where he has become a stalwart of the double champions.

The powers-that-be has certainly noticed Yusuf’s potential as he has ascended to the SA Emerging XI and South Africa ‘A’ teams over the past winter. 

He certainly feels that all of this was possible due to the career-changing moment when he was picked up by the Royals in the inaugural auction back in 2022. 

“I remember it quite clearly. I was sitting on my parents' couch, watching the auction go on,” Yusuf told Betway SA20. 

“We waited like three hours, and then they passed my number. I was very disappointed because they didn't even get to my number. And then they said they are going to go through the next round.

“My name popped up, and it just went silent in the house. But then the Royals bid for me, and everyone just went crazy. It was noisy, people were jumping up and down.

“It was special for me. I don't think I will ever forget it.” 

Yusuf’s Betway SA20 experience was heightened when he was immediately thrown into the cauldron in the prestigious tournament opener against MI Cape Town at sold-out Newlands last year. 

“I bowled the first over for the Paarl Royals franchise in SA20,” he said. “If I am being honest, it was insane!”

“I have never been on a field that was filled to capacity like Newlands was that night. The atmosphere and energy around the field. I can't even explain how big that moment felt.

“Looking back now, if things keep going the way they have, hopefully I can have a few more experiences like that. I can't put it into words. It was unbelievable. It was a dream come true.”

Yusuf almost had the dream start to his Royals career, but unfortunately teammate Dane Vilas was unable to grasp the opportunity that came his way. 

“I bowled the first over, went for two runs, but I also had Ryan Rickelton dropped in that first over. It could have been so special to take the first wicket for the Royals,” he said. 

“Dane Vilas dropped the catch. He dropped another one off me in Season 2.”  

Although Yusuf shared a special bond with Royals’ Season 1 coach JP Duminy, he feels that his game has been elevated since former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has taken over the coaching reins at Boland Park. 

“Bondie has helped me alot with my bowling plans. He also showed me one of two slower balls that I now use going forward. 

“There are parts of my game that have grown and are actually now used in matches. Having Bondie as a head coach helps, because he was of course a bowler. He was quite skillful in that aspect. He helped me with my primary skill.”

Yusuf also believes that his elevation to higher honours over the past two seasons is primarily due to the exposure he’s been granted at the Royals. 

“SA20 has helped me in a way that it showed the Lions I can be someone that can be relied and trusted upon to perform certain roles and responsibilities,” the fast bowler said. 

“And that's why I was given a lot more responsibility with the ball this past season. Confidence wise too. If you are placed in certain environments, without even realising it, people know who you are, they know you play SA20. It definitely helps with the confidence.” 

It’s not just all business and no play for Yusuf at the Royals. He was instrumental in creating the iconic theme song “Royals, jou leka ding!”  that has become synonymous with the ‘Men in Pink’.

“ (Captain) David Miller came to me one day and said ‘Codi, I want you to write a song for the boys to sing.’