The Joburg Super Kings have closely resembled a 1990s boy band coming together for a reunion tour at the 2025 SA20.
Faf du Plessis, of course, is the lead singer, and he’s joined by Imran Tahir, Devon Conway and Tabraiz Shamsi.
The quartet have plied their trades the world over in the intervening years, but their links stretch back almost 20 years, with Shamsi and now New Zealand international Conway having come through the Lions youth structures, before moving down to the coast to join the Dolphins together as rookies along with Tahir.
“I was speaking to Devon the other day while we were having indoor nets (at the Wanderers), due to the heavy rains we had. Those are the same indoor nets we would come to for trials and camps, just hoping to make the provincial Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 teams – and now we are here playing for the franchise together,” Shamsi said.
“Devon and I actually lived together in Durban. I would try to cook and he would do the dishes, because we were both horrible at cooking and I was slightly better.
“It’s amazing just to be back together with Dev. When we played in Durban, he said he wanted to go to the specific restaurant that we used to go to back when we were kids. He ordered the same meal as back then.
“It was really nice to be back there, the place we were trying to make the provincial first-class team. And now having played international cricket, played in all the leagues, we are in a professional team together.
“It’s not something that can be explained. We felt what we felt in that moment. Back in the city where we were begging for chances, and now we’re back there under different circumstances, having achieved our dreams.”
Shamsi and Tahir, however, share a special bond that initially started out as the one the Karate Kid and Mr Miyagi shared.
But as time passed, it morphed into Cobra Kai’s Daniel LeRusso and Johnny Lawerence’s relationship of working together to achieve success.
https://youtu.be/C7MeiyuSeD4?si=irA7YEdHKR7hRALZ
“My relationship with Immy goes way beyond cricket now. Obviously when I made the national team, he was the first-choice spinner. I do tell him now that we’re so close that he kept me on the bench for four years!” Shamsi said.
“I probably would have had double the amount of games if it wasn’t for him!
“The amazing thing is that despite us both being spinners, our relationship never got soured. From the first day, he took me under his wing as a brother.
“I learnt from his experiences. I honestly feel that my growth was accelerated. He taught me a lot of things. But it was reciprocal. I’m a leg-spinner, and only leggies understand each other. He would ask me for advice, too.
“Our relationship is beyond cricket. Cricket is a secondary thing. We are like brothers. He can come to me for anything, and I can go to him.”
But what about Du Plessis? How does he fit into the puzzle?
The enigmatic JSK skipper, unlike traditional South African captains, has always embraced spinners in his limited-overs teams. And even more so if they had a bit of mystery about them or turned the ball away from the bat.
Tahir was his go-to-man for so many years before the mantle was passed on to Shamsi.
Together, they have tasted success before, having won the now-defunct Mzansi Super League with the Paarl Rocks in days gone by.
So, when Shamsi had the opportunity to pair up with Du Plessis again at JSK after being traded by the Paarl Royals after two SA20 seasons at Boland Park, he had no hesitation.
“Faf was my first national team captain. I often speak about different things related to leg-spinners, and one of them is having a captain that understands leg-spin bowling is unbelievably important,” he said.
“If you ask any leg-spinner, would you prefer a turning wicket or a captain who understands how to handle leg-spin bowling, I think hands down it would be 100 to zero (in favour of the captain).
“Faf is one of those guys who understands and makes you feel comfortable. As a wicket-taker that has the ability to turn the game in an over or two, you need a captain that understands you.”
After a promising start to Season 3, the Super Kings have slipped down to fourth on the table, and face an in-form Sunrisers Eastern Cape at St George’s Park on Friday (5.30pm start).
Does the famous quartet have a few more smash hits that can thrill the crowds?
“I’m very fond of this city. One of the best atmospheres in the country with the band and the fans singing. Obviously they won’t be singing for my team. But it’s always fun, and a place where I love playing. It also helps spin bowling,” Shamsi said.
“We find ourselves hovering in the middle, but one win takes you up to second place. Every game is crucial. Looking forward to the game against Sunrisers.”