The JSK retained players 2026 list has just dropped, and with it, a wave of excitement has swept across the Super Kings’ fan base. Since the inaugural season of SA20 in 2023, the Joburg Super Kings (JSK) have consistently made it to the playoffs, yet the ultimate prize has stayed just out of reach.
They’ve had three opportunities, three heartbreaks, the latest coming in the 2025 eliminator, where they were knocked out despite having one of the strongest squads on paper. In 2024, it was Qualifier 2 that saw them bow out. Their consistency speaks volumes, but the final leap is still to be made.
With their SA20 2026 retentions, JSK is going all-in, keeping their core intact while adding fresh, dynamic faces to sharpen their edges. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the JSK retention list and how the squad is shaping up for another serious shot at the SA20 trophy.
JSK Retained Players 2026 List
As part of the official SA20 retention 2026 list, Joburg Super Kings have locked in the following five players:
- Faf du Plessis (Captain)
- James Vince
- Akeal Hosein
- Richard Gleeson
- Donovan Ferreira
Let’s take a closer look at each retained star and what they bring to the table in 2026.
Faf du Plessis (Captain): Leading from the Front
The face of JSK and the heartbeat of the franchise, Faf du Plessis continues as captain in the JSK retained players 2026 lineup. Faf’s leadership experience is unmatched, he not only captains Joburg Super Kings but also leads the Texas Super Kings in the MLC, making him a true franchise legend in the Super Kings ecosystem.
Across three seasons, Faf has been the glue holding JSK’s batting together. His calmness under pressure, ability to anchor and accelerate, and immense experience make him the natural leader of this side.
Faf du Plessis – SA20 Numbers That Tell the Story
| Season | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s/100s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 369 | 41.0 | 140.6 | 3 / 0 | 113* |
| 2024 | 12 | 405 | 45.0 | 145.2 | 4 / 0 | 97 |
| 2025 | 10 | 350 | 38.9 | 142.0 | 3 / 0 | 88* |
| TOTAL | 32 | 1,124 | 41.6 | 142.7 | 10 / 0 | – |
These figures underline why Faf is irreplaceable. He has crossed 300 runs in every SA20 season, maintained an average north of 38, and consistently struck above 140—numbers that place him among the tournament’s elite run‑scorers. His highest score, an unbeaten 113, came in a must‑win game and perfectly captures his knack for rising when it matters most.
Though age is catching up, Faf remains supremely fit and continues to churn out match-winning performances. He’s also known for creating a solid team culture that enables younger players like Ferreira to flourish.
After falling short thrice, 2026 might be the year Faf lifts the SA20 trophy, a poetic finish for a legend of the game.
James Vince: Class and Consistency at the Top
James Vince’s retention has added a huge layer of finesse to JSK’s top order. The elegant right-hander from England is a veteran of T20 leagues worldwide; be it the Big Bash, T20 Blast, or The Hundred, Vince has always delivered with grace and consistency.
The southpaw has featured in 443 T20 games and scored a gigantic amount of 12461 runs with an average of 32 and a strike rate of 136. His ability to find gaps, rotate strike, and suddenly accelerate with well-timed strokes makes him a complete package in the power play.
Paired with Faf at the top, Vince forms a formidable opening duo. His presence allows Faf to pace his innings while Vince goes for early boundaries.
JSK saw glimpses of his brilliance last season, and in 2026, they showed complete faith in him by putting him on the SA20 retention 2026 list. Expect Vince to be the stabilising force in those crucial high-pressure chases and powerplay assaults that define a title run.
Akeal Hosein: Spin Control & Mid-Overs Weapon
Akeal Hosein is a strategic retention and a valuable asset in JSK’s bowling blueprint. A seasoned left-arm spinner from the West Indies, Hosein is known for his economical spells and ability to pick up key wickets in the middle overs. He brings something every T20 team craves control and calmness under pressure.
Having already been part of the Texas Super Kings setup, Hosein now strengthens the Super Kings’ family further by becoming a key cog in the Joburg unit.
His SA20 numbers are impressive, with tight spells that often turn the tide of matches. Not only does he slow down the opposition, but he also forces batters to take risks, resulting in wickets at crucial junctures.
In the slower surfaces of Johannesburg and Durban, Hosein’s role becomes even more critical. He’s not just a bowler; he’s JSK’s insurance policy during the mid-innings grind.
Richard Gleeson: Firepower with the New and Old Ball
Fast, fierce, and reliable, Richard Gleeson has been retained to give JSK bite in their pace attack. The English speedster has made a name for himself in T20 leagues as a dependable death-over specialist and an effective new-ball bowler. He generates a sharp bounce and hits the deck hard, troubling batters who fancy swing and spin.
Gleeson adds a different flavor to the bowling unit. With Nandre Burger or Gerald Coetzee expected to return in the auctions or drafts, Gleeson complements the local pace battery with his experience. He’s particularly lethal at the backend of innings, where his slower balls and yorkers have closed games in JSK’s favour before. By securing him early in the JSK retention strategy, Joburg have made sure their fast-bowling stocks are in safe hands, especially in a format where death bowling often decides the fate of matches.
Donovan Ferreira: Homegrown Match-Winner
Donovan Ferreira’s retention by JSK doesn’t come as a huge surprise. In the recent years, his rise is one of the brightest stories in the SA20 league. Picked by JSK in the very first season, Ferreira has been a loyal soldier of the franchise and is now rewarded with a place in the JSK retained players 2026 list.
Over the last three seasons, he has emerged as the perfect middle-order weapon, someone who can shift gears effortlessly and win matches single-handedly.
Donovan Ferreira – SA20 Record
| Season | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 | 164 | 18 | 135 | 1 | 82* |
| 2024 | 11 | 125 | 25 | 171 | 1 | 56 |
| 2025 | 10 | 163 | 27 | 155 | 1 | 51 |
| Total | 32 | 452 | 32.3 | 153.6 | 3 | 82* |
Ferreira’s finishing skills have drawn comparisons to the likes of David Miller. His ability to clear boundaries with ease and bowl part-time spin gives the team flexibility. More importantly, his calmness in tense situations has made him one of Faf’s go-to players.
With home support and franchise continuity, Ferreira is poised to take the next leap, from promising youngster to team backbone. If JSK are to break their title jinx, Ferreira’s contributions will be crucial.
A Look Back at Former Seasons
Looking back at JSK’s journey over the past three seasons, one thing is clear: they’ve been a consistent force, always in the playoff mix but narrowly missing out on the final push.
In the inaugural 2023 season, under the steady leadership of Faf du Plessis, JSK made it to the semi-finals but fell just 14 runs short in a high-octane chase of 215 against eventual champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC).
The following year, in 2024, they reached Qualifier 2, only to crumble under scoreboard pressure; they were bowled out for 142 in pursuit of yet another 215. The pattern repeated in 2025, with a loss in the Eliminator once again to SEC, this time falling 32 runs short in a chase of 185.
While the results were heartbreaking, Faf’s calm captaincy, strategic game awareness, and ability to extract the best out of his players have kept JSK consistently within reach of glory; a sign of a strong foundation.
JSK 2026: A Balanced Powerhouse Ready for Battle
The SA20 retention 2026 list for JSK isn’t just about talent; it’s about continuity, strategy, and championship hunger. With Faf du Plessis’s leadership, the composure of James Vince, the control of Akeal Hosein, the speed of Gleeson, and the x-factor of Ferreira, Joburg have retained a team with both experience and flair.
Add in potential auction picks like Leus du Plooy and others, and this side becomes an even more dangerous outfit. Last season’s heartbreak in the Eliminator was tough, but it lit a fire within the franchise. This year, with a stable core and smart additions, JSK look ready to go all the way.
The fans are dreaming. The management is plotting. The players are preparing. Will 2026 finally be the year the Joburg Super Kings go from contenders to champions?
Time will tell, but make no mistake, this team means business.
Stay tuned for more team-wise SA20 retention breakdowns, tactical previews, and transfer insights as we gear up for another thrilling season of franchise cricket!
