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SA20 2027 Squad Changes
Two post-auction changes affect Season 5 squads so far. Kieron Pollard has withdrawn from Joburg Super Kings, and Ben Duckett covers Mitchell Marsh's early games at Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Team pages still show the initial 19-player squads from the 7 October 2026 auction; this page records what changed after that.
Confirmed withdrawal: Kieron Pollard
Pollard was bought by Joburg Super Kings for R1.5 million at the 7 October 2026 auction. In late October 2026, shortly after Mumbai Indians named him head coach for IPL 2027, Pollard told Joburg Super Kings he would not be available for Season 5. Chennai Super Kings chief executive Kasi Viswanathan confirmed the withdrawal and said the franchise would look for a replacement. No replacement had been named at the last check. Pollard stays listed on the Joburg Super Kings squad table with his status marked Withdrawn, so the 19-player count from the auction is preserved and the change is visible where the squad is listed.
Temporary cover: Ben Duckett
Mitchell Marsh, Sunrisers Eastern Cape's pre-signing, finishes his Big Bash League season with Perth Scorchers before joining the squad, so the first games of the season fall inside his Big Bash commitments. Sunrisers Eastern Cape have named England opener Ben Duckett as his temporary cover for the early matches. Duckett is not part of the 19-player squad list: he covers Marsh's absence and steps aside when Marsh arrives. Depending on how far Perth Scorchers go in the Big Bash, Marsh could miss between one and five of Sunrisers' ten league games, and Duckett is in line to feature in the opener against Pretoria Capitals on 17 January. Marsh remains in the squad list throughout.
Still to be confirmed
Joburg Super Kings have not named a captain for Season 5, and have not named Pollard's replacement either. Pretoria Capitals' Matthew Short faces the same Big Bash overlap as Marsh, with Adelaide Strikers, but no temporary cover had been named for Short at the last check.
FAQs
Has Kieron Pollard left Joburg Super Kings for Season 5?
Yes. He withdrew after becoming Mumbai Indians head coach for IPL 2027. Joburg Super Kings are looking for a replacement, and none had been named at the last check.
Who replaces Pollard at Joburg Super Kings?
Nobody yet. The franchise has said it will look for a replacement, and the replacement may come from outside the auction pool. The squad table keeps Pollard listed as Withdrawn until a replacement is named.
Is Ben Duckett in Sunrisers Eastern Cape's squad?
No. Duckett is temporary cover for Mitchell Marsh's early games only. Marsh stays in the 19-player squad, and Duckett steps aside when Marsh arrives from the Big Bash.
Who captains Joburg Super Kings in Season 5?
Nobody has been named yet. Joburg Super Kings are the only side still to confirm a captain for Season 5.
Saleem Sial writes the fixtures, squads and news on SA20 Schedule.