The Lions have picked a star-studded squad for the upcoming Cricket South Africa T20 Challenge in Durban. ANDRE HUISAMEN identifies three players worth keeping an eye on.

The men from Johannesburg will fancy their chances of securing more silverware on the domestic front. Temba Bavuma will skipper a team filled with explosive players in both the batting and bowling departments.

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Kagiso Rabada

The Proteas star wasn’t used as often during the recent Test tour of Pakistan. He should, therefore, be rather fresh and ready to have a profound impact in the shorter format. Rabada will lead a bowling attack filled with players boasting national caps. The fast bowler hasn’t played a lot of T20 cricket in the past 24 months, but will undoubtedly be a lethal option for the Lions at Kingsmead.

Sisanda Magala 

Magala is one of the bowlers that could add much firepower along with Rabada, Beuran Hendricks and Dwaine Pretorius. Magala was a key figure in the Lions’ Momentum One-Day Cup campaign where he delivered clinical spells that ultimately helped his team to the final. The 30-year-old has proven even more effective in T20s in the recent past. He will be crucial in offering a bit more variety in Durban conditions.

Reeza Hendricks

The opening batsman has often divided opinion but Hendricks will be full of confidence after his performance in Pakistan. The right-hander was aggressive yet composed in his approach in the three T20Is, making an impressive half-century in the opening encounter. Hendricks proved a lot of critics wrong in the process to stake his claim on the international front. He could be a danger to opposition bowlers at the top of the order when the T20 Challenge gets under way on Friday.

Lions squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Delano Potgieter, Beuran Hendricks, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Bjorn Fortuin, Ryan Rickelton, Sisanda Magala, Malusi Siboto, Eldred Hawken, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Aaron Phangiso, Ruan Haanbroek.