Having finished runners-up last season to Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Durban's Super Giants know what is required to get to the SA20 final. The next step to the piece would be going the extra yard, the extra mile in lifting the silverware.
In international and elite sport, little things matter, that extra bit of motivation and more experience. Durban's Super Giants will hope they get just that from Kane Williamson.
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“I am excited to learn from someone like Kane Williamson. He’s been around the world. He has done really well as a leader. To be able dive into his insights and looking into the philosophies of how he leads teams,” said Durban's Super Giants captain Keshav Maharaj on the eve of the tournament.
The new beginnings
Williamson is one of the biggest names in the squad and his difference-making ability, as seen over the years, could be decisive for Durban's Super Giants.
In his most recent assignment, he scored 395 runs in three Tests against England. But his last T20 outing was against Papua New Guinea in June 2024 in the T20 World Cup.
Maharaj was under no illusions about Williamsons capabilities despite the lengthy absence in the shortest format.
"With someone of his pedigree, he has won many a title for New Zealand and in franchise tournament. He is a leader; he is phenomenally skilled. And the best batter that I have ever bowled to in international cricket.
"Just the amount of time and the skill factor that he has. If you look at him, he is a condition-based batter. We signed him to suit our line-up and give it stability. We have a lot of power-hitting ability, but maybe last year, we didn't have an anchor, and that's where we saw his role," Maharaj said on the sidelines of the Captains' Day.
Other new names in the squad are West Indies duo Brandon King and Shamar Joseph alongside the dependable English swing bowler-cum-lower-order batter Chris Woakes.
Auction activity
At the auction, Durban's Super Giants had one slot to fill and they spent the R425,000 on seamer Shamar Joseph. The West Indies player had originally gone unsold in the auction.
The SA20 will only be Joseph's second T20 stint in an overseas league after IPL. He will have the opportunity to work alongside the legendary Allan Donald, the new bowling coach.
Super Giants had also shown interest in retain the services of Richard Gleeson at the auction table but were priced out by Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Durban's Super Giants squad
Noor Ahmad, Matthew Breetzke, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, CJ King (Rookie), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj (C), Wiaan Mulder, Naveen-ul-Haq Murid, Bryce Parsons, Dwaine Pretorius, Jason Smith, Jon-Jon Smuts, Marcus Stoinis (Wildcard), Prenelan Subrayen, Kane Williamson, Chris Woakes
Durban's Super Giants SA20 record
2023: Fifth
2024: Runner-up
