Captain Jon-Jon Smuts is looking forward to the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants’ individual talents translating to collective success in the 2019 Mzansi Super League, which will start this week.

The Giants finished in fourth position in last year’s six-team standings, after four wins, four losses and two washouts. They have retained international marquee player Jason Roy, who will be available for the entire tournament.

‘It is very important to allow individuals to be individuals, as long as we work together for a common purpose, our differences are what in turn makes us a strong team,’ said Smuts.

‘It can be tough to shoulder the role of captaincy with such a skilled group of cricketers, but it offers me the opportunity to learn from each of the players in the squad – and in turn makes me a better cricketer and captain.’

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The Nelson Mandela Bay franchise also has, among others, Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir and Australian batsman Ben Dunk. Left-arm seamer Nandre Burger, meanwhile, has joined from the Cape Town Blitz.

‘We have good balance in our squad and coming out of the draft we are happy with the selections we made,’ said Giants head coach Eric Simons.

‘We are certainly looking forward to the challenge, in what should be an exciting tournament. It is important for us to start well, to build momentum through the competition. The key factor that will drive us is our belief from game one.’

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