Jos Buttler — the opener who can win a game in the powerplay

A world-class opener, retained not bought

Buttler was retained, which in a squad of 19 is the strongest signal a club can send. He is the kind of player other teams build their auction plans around, and Durban’s made sure he never reached the auction at all.

He bats right-handed and opens the batting, scoring quickly against both pace and spin. His range is the point: ramps and scoops behind the keeper, drives through cover, and the cleanest straight hitting in the game. Bowlers cannot simply bowl one type of delivery and hope — Buttler has a shot for every ball.

He is also a former England white-ball captain, so his experience runs deeper than his batting. In a side chasing a first title after four seasons, a player who has won World Cups and led a national team brings a calm that cannot be bought at auction.

Powerplay destruction, and a keeper who frees up the XI

Buttler’s job is the first six overs. Win them, and the rest of the innings gets easier for everyone.

A fast start takes pressure off the middle order and lets Klaasen and Livingstone play without chasing the game. And because Buttler keeps wicket, the Super Giants get their opener and their keeper in one overseas slot — which is why they can afford so much bowling depth around him.

A settled squad, still chasing the first title

Durban’s Super Giants kept 18 players and bought nobody at the auction, so the top order Buttler leads is the one he already knows. Aiden Markram captains, Lance Klusener coaches, and Kingsmead in Durban hosts five home league games in Season 5.

The SA20 season starts on Sunday 17 January 2027, with the Super Giants’ first home game against Sunrisers Eastern Cape on 21 January. See the full SA20 Schedule for the fixtures, and the SA20 Players index for every squad. If Buttler fires at the top, the title chase looks very different.