The countdown to the Mzansi Super League (MSL) T20 began proper on Wednesday after the six teams finally completed their squads.
At the Joburg Main Player Draft, the leadership teams bid for the talents that they needed for inaugural tournament, which will run from November 16 to the December 16 final.
With the South African marquee players already known, the teams – Cape Town Blitz, Paarl Rocks, the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Durban Heat, Jozi Stars and the Tshwane Spartans – vied for the 71 big-name internationals.
The Durbanites got the first pick and snapped up Afghanistan’s No.1-ranked T20I bowler Rashid Khan to join Hashim Amla in their superstar line-up.
The Mother City’s Blitz claimed England opener Dawid Malan – the former Boland man joins marquee star Quinton de Kock and Proteas pace ace Dale Steyn.
T20 legend Chris Gayle teamed up with Kagiso Rabada for Jozi Stars.
Tshwane Spartans added England skipper Eoin Morgan to AB de Villiers for an all-star batting duo, while PE-based Giants signed up England big hitter Jason Roy to star alongside Imran Tahir.
Paarl Rocks opted for West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo in their Faf du Plessis-led squad.
CAPE TOWN BLITZ
Quinton de Kock (Marquee player), Dawid Malan (England), Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Samuel Badree (Windies), Asif Ali (Pakistan), Farhaan Behardien, Anrich Nortje, Janneman Malan, Malusi Siboto, George Linde, Ferisco Adams, Jason Smith, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle Verreynne (rookie), Dane Piedt.
Quinton de Kock. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
DURBAN HEAT
Hashim Amla (Marquee player), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott (kolpak), Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange (kolpak), Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta (Zimbabwe), Temba Bavuma, Morne van Wyk, Okuhle Cele (rookie), Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako.
Hashim Amla. Photo: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
NMB GIANTS
Imran Tahir (Marquee player), Jason Roy (England), Chris Morris, Jon-Jon Smuts, Junior Dala, Christiaan Jonker, Aaron Phangiso, Ben Duckett (England), Sisanda Magala, Ryan McLaren, Heino Kuhn, Marco Marais, Dyllan Matthews (rookie), Lizaad Williams, Rudi Second, Carmi le Roux.
Imran Tahir
PAARL ROCKS
Faf du Plessis (Marquee player), Dwayne Bravo (Windies), Tabraiz Shamsi, Dane Paterson, Aiden Markram, Mangaliso Mosehle, Bjorn Fortuin, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Grant Thomson, Paul Stirling (Ireland), Tshepo Moreki, Henry Davids, Cameron Delport ( kolpak), Eathan Bosch (rookie), Patrick Kruger, Kerwin Mungroo.
Faf du Plessis. Photo: GERHARD DURAAN/BACKPAGEPIX
JOZI STARS
Kagiso Rabada (Marquee player), Chris Gayle (Windies), Dane Vilas ( kolpak), Rassie van der Dussen, Daniel Christian (Australia), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Eddie Leie, Pite van Biljon, Duanne Olivier, Ryan Rickelton, Sinethemba Qeshile (rookie), Simon Harmer (kolpak), Calvin Savage, Alfred Mothoa.
Kagiso Rabada. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
TSHWANE SPARTANS
AB de Villiers (Marquee player), Eoin Morgan (England), Lungi Ngidi, Robbie Frylinck, Jeewan Mendis (Sri Lanka), Theunis de Bruyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Sean Williams (Zimbabwe), Gihahn Cloete, Lutho Sipamla (rookie), Tony de Zorzi (rookie), Dean Elgar, Andrew Birch, Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Shaun von Berg, Eldred Hawken.
SUPERSTAR: AB de Villiers. Photo: NIC BOTHMA/EPA