Marques Ackerman — the local batter who knows Kingsmead

A homegrown batter in a star-studded order

Ackerman was retained, and for a domestic batter in a side full of overseas stars, that is a real vote of confidence. He bats in the top order, where the job is to give the innings a start — and at Kingsmead, his home ground, he knows the conditions better than the visitors do.

He is a top-order batter who plays the ball on its merits: solid against the new ball, strong through the off side, and patient enough to build an innings when the bowlers are on top. In a line-up built around Buttler’s power and Williamson’s calm, Ackerman is the local batter who holds his own among them.

Durban’s kept 18 players and bought nobody at the auction, and Ackerman was part of that decision. A squad needs its local core — players who know the ground, the crowds, and the conditions — and Ackerman is part of the Super Giants’ core.

Local knowledge, and a solid start

Ackerman’s value is in the start he gives and the ground he knows. Both matter more than they look.

A solid opening partnership takes pressure off the middle order, and at Kingsmead, where the ball can move early and the bounce is true, a batter who has played there for years has an edge. Ackerman’s runs may not make the highlights, but the title chase may depend on the quiet starts he provides.

A settled squad, still chasing the first title

Durban’s Super Giants are still chasing a first SA20 title after four seasons, and they kept the core together to do it — 18 retained players, plus Sam Curran as a pre-signing, and nobody bought at the auction. Aiden Markram captains and Lance Klusener coaches.

The SA20 Season 5 starts on Sunday 17 January 2027, and the Super Giants play their home games at Kingsmead in Durban, five of them in the league stage. See the full SA20 Schedule for the fixtures, and the SA20 Players index for every squad. Ackerman’s home-ground edge could be worth a win or two.