Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma will captain the Jozi Stars in the 2019 edition of the Mzansi Super League.

Bavuma has succeeded former Stars captain Dane Vilas, who has joined the Durban Heat. Bavuma played for the Heat in last year’s inaugural tournament.

The 29-year-old Bavuma captained the Lions in first-class and limited-overs competition last season and was the Proteas’ vice-captain during the recent Test series in India.

The Stars are the reigning champions, after beating the Cape Town Blitz in last year’s final.

They have retained West Indian batsman Chris Gayle and Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada as international and local marquee player, respectively.

Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik and Australia’s Dan Christian will also play for the Stars this month.

Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, meanwhile, has been named captain of the Blitz. England’s Dawid Malan and South Africa’s Farhaan Behardien captained the Blitz in 2018.

‘Head coach Ashwell Prince came to me at the draft and asked me if I want to do it and I said, “Yes, no problem.” It was pretty quick and easy. I don’t think there was much discussion around it. He just asked me right there and then and I said yes,’ added De Kock.

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