Faf du Plessis to captain Joburg Super Kings in SA20 League
Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis will lead the Joburg Super Kings in the newly named SA20 League starting next year.
Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis will lead the Joburg Super Kings in the newly named SA20 League.
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The franchise, owned by the IPL stalwarts Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, revealed their captain Du Plessis and coach Stephan Fleming in a press release on Thursday.
Faf du Plessis indicated that the league will do wonders for the development of young players in South Africa.
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“I think it’s going to be (the SA20 league) incredibly crucial for the sustainability of South African cricket.
“I’ve almost been seeing first-hand the difference that league cricket can have an impact on a country’s cricket.
“Certainly been involved with the IPL for the last 10-11 years. You see the difference that it makes to the young generation and the young players, especially in that Indian cricket team and environment.
“That knowledge and wisdom and experience that you can share across with your young talent in your own country, I think that’s extremely important for the growth of the national team.
“The way that they’ve set up the league now looks like it’s going to be one of the big leagues across the globe.
“I’ve been lucky as a player and as a captain to have some really good leaders in my time.
“Starting under Graeme (Smith), then moving to AB de Villiers, then moving my time across to Chennai Super Kings, where Stephen Fleming was really influential at the beginning of my leadership journey.
“To be around MS Dhoni, to just watch and observe exactly what he does on and off the field.
“I’m extremely grateful to have learned from so many great players and leaders in the game. In terms of leadership, MS Dhoni has done the most. He’s the best guy to learn from,” Faf du Plessis said.
SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith was delighted that the Indian T20 giants could set up shop in South Africa.
“We are very excited that we have been able to attract the likes of the Super Kings into South Africa,” he said.
“I mean they are an amazing franchise with a huge fanbase and the type of people you know with whom we can build a sustainable future with.
So, from our perspective, we are very excited and we are looking forward to January (2023) and there is a lot of work that is taking place behind the scenes.
Cricket South Africa has made a long-term commitment to this tournament – cleared the ICC window for 10 years now – so, we are very excited about the opportunity that this league is going to bring to our game in South Africa.”
The Joburg Super Kings will be playing out of the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
