AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis are headline players in the Caribbean Premier League this year.

David Miller was the big winner in the auction, though, securing a $160 000 contract with the St Lucia Zouks.

AB faces a hectic T20 schedule, moving from the World T20 from 9 March to 3 April, to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the the IPL in April and May and to the Barbados Tridents in Caribbean Premier League in July. Du Plessis and Miller face a similar whirlwind itinerary.

De Villiers, though, was at pains to point out that he would not miss any international matches: ‘I’ve had a careful look at my schedule and am looking forward to the next few months. For players in my position, it is important to find a balance between playing international cricket and participating in the various T20 leagues around the world.

‘I remain absolutely committed to international cricket but, this year, it just so happens I can play in the CPL as well; in contrast, for example, I have declined offers to play in the Big Bash League in Australia because it clashes with our home series against Sri Lanka.’.

Surprisingly, there was no place for leg-spinner Imran Tahir, but contracts went to leg-break bowler Eddie Leie (Lions), left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans) and batsman JJ Smuts (Warriors).

The top SA signings:
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots: Faf du Plessis, JJ Smuts, Tabraiz Shamsi,
St Lucia Zouks: David Miller, Morne Morkel, Eddie Leie
Trinbago Knight Riders: Hashim Amla
Barbados Tridents: AB de Villiers, David Wiese, Robin Peterson, Wayne Parnell