Eighteen-year-old batting all-rounder Jason Rowles emerged as the highest-priced player at the SA20 player auction, fetching a staggering R2.9 million (approx. USD 175,000) from the Joburg Super Kings despite having played just one recognized senior T20 match.
The aggressive left-handed batter and left-arm spinner caused an intense bidding duel between Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town before JSK secured his services for the upcoming fifth season of the league. Rowles, who currently serves as vice-captain for the South Africa U-19 squad, impressed franchise talent scouts with his recent domestic outing for South Africa Emerging in the CSA Pro20 Cup, where he scored an unbeaten 45 off 31 balls and took a wicket. His youth record includes 855 runs at an average of 42.75 across 24 Youth ODIs, 280 runs at the U-19 World Cup, and a youth Test double-century.
In the same mini-auction, former Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis was picked up by Joburg Super Kings for R2.7 million, while all-rounder Wiaan Mulder went to MI Cape Town for R2.6 million. Meanwhile, Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana went unsold after being the sole Bangladeshi representative on the auction shortlist, while leg-spinner Rishad Hossain was pre-signed directly by Sunrisers Eastern Cape under head coach Russell Domingo.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sports Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
