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Cape Town - 10 South Africans will be participating in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which kicks off on Saturday.
READ: 5 things that make the IPL a success
All eyes will be on 22-year-old Lungi Ngidi after he secured his first IPL contract by the Chennai Super Kings at this year's auction.
Ngidi was bought for close to R1 million and will join his fellow countrymen skipper Faf du Plessis and spinner Imran Tahir in the newly returned IPL franchise squad.
Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who fetched the highest price for a Proteas player at this year's auction, will be out of the tournament due to a "lower back stress reaction".
Proteas wicketkeeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen has replaced Australia's scandal-tainted captain Steve Smith in the Rajasthan Royals squad.
Star batsman AB de Villiers was once again retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore and will be joined by wicketkeeper batsman Quinton de Kock.
Besides De Villiers, the only other Proteas player retained was all-rounder Chris Morris, who will feature for the Delhi Daredevils.
The reigning IPL champions, the Mumbai Indians, will have Proteas all-rounder JP Duminy in their line-up.
Meanwhile, Kings XI Punjab have stuck with hard-hitting batsman David Miller and Dolphins all-rounder Cameron Delport has joined the Kolkata Knight Riders.
In addition to those South Africans playing, there are several South Africans sharing their wisdom off the field.
Former legendary Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis is head coach of his former IPL team, the Knight Riders.
Former Proteas batsman and coach Gary Kirsten has joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore as a batting coach, while former Proteas coach Eric Simons lends his bowling wisdom on to the Chennai Super Kings.
The first IPL game sees the Mumbai Indians hosting the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday (16:30 SA time).
List of South Africans in IPL 2018 with their earnings:
Sunrisers Hyderabad: -
Chennai Super Kings: Faf du Plessis (R2.9m), Imran Tahir (R1.89m), Lungi Ngidi (R925 000)
Rajasthan Royals: Heinrich Klaasen (R925 000)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: AB de Villiers (R20.3m), Quinton de Kock (R5.18m)
Mumbai Indians: JP Duminy (R1.85m)
Kolkata Knight Riders: Cameron Delport (R545 000)
Kings XI Punjab: David Miller (R5.5m)
Delhi Daredevils: Chris Morris (R12.5m)
