The Joburg Super Kings (JSK) have finally announced the SA20 2026 retained players list, and fans can’t stop talking about it. Since SA20’s first season in 2023, JSK has been one of the most consistent teams in the league. Playoffs every year, but somehow, the trophy keeps slipping away.
Three seasons, three heartbreaks. In 2025, they got knocked out in the Eliminator even though many believe they had one of the strongest teams on paper. In 2024, they lost in Qualifier 2, and in 2023 they fell short in the semi-final. They’re always so close, but the last step is still missing.
With the SA20 2026 retentions, JSK are sticking with their core group and hoping that this time, they can finally go all the way.
JSK Retained Players 2026 List
The five players JSK have decided to keep are:
- Faf du Plessis (Captain)
- James Vince
- Akeal Hosein
- Richard Gleeson
- Donovan Ferreira
Faf du Plessis – The Leader They Trust
Faf is not just the captain, he’s the heart and soul of JSK. He’s been leading from the front ever since the first season, and he’s also captain of Texas Super Kings in MLC, making him a true Super Kings legend.
James Vince – Classy Opening Partner
James Vince is pure elegance at the top of the order. The Englishman has played in so many T20 leagues – Big Bash, The Hundred, T20 Blast – and always looks in control.
T20 Career: 443 matches, 12,461 runs, average 32, strike rate 136.
With Vince and Faf opening, JSK has one of the most solid starts in the league. Vince can find gaps, rotate strike, and then suddenly shift gears for big shots.
Akeal Hosein – Spin Master
From the West Indies, Akeal Hosein brings control and calmness in the middle overs. He’s a left-arm spinner who knows exactly how to slow down the game and force batters to take risky shots.
He’s already part of the Super Kings family via Texas Super Kings and now has an even bigger role in JSK. On slower pitches in Johannesburg and Durban, Hosein could be a game changer.
Richard Gleeson – Pace & Death Over Skill
Richard Gleeson is the bowler you want when the game is on the line. The English pacer bowls quick, hits the deck hard, and is deadly in the last overs with yorkers and slower balls.
Having him alongside local pacers means JSK have a good mix of speed and experience in their attack.
Donovan Ferreira – Homegrown Power
Picked in the first JSK squad back in 2023, Donovan Ferreira has grown into a reliable middle-order hitter who can also bowl a bit of spin.
Ferreira’s SA20 Stats
SeasonMatchesRunsAvgSR50sHS20231116418135182*2024111252517115620251016327155151Total3245232.3153.6382*
He’s known for finishing games, and his calmness in pressure moments is rare for a young player.
JSK’s Past Playoff Story
- 2023: Lost semi-final to SEC by 14 runs, chasing 215.
- 2024: Knocked out in Qualifier 2, bowled out for 142.
- 2025: Lost Eliminator to SEC, 32 runs short of 185.
It’s clear – JSK are always in the mix, but just need that final push.
Looking Ahead to 2026
This year’s retention is not just about talent, it’s about trust and keeping a winning core. With Faf’s leadership, Vince’s stability, Hosein’s spin, Gleeson’s pace, and Ferreira’s power, JSK have the right mix.
Add some smart auction picks, and this team can really challenge for the trophy. Fans are dreaming, players are working hard, and maybe 2026 is the year the Joburg Super Kings finally lift that SA20 trophy.