Allan Donald Takes on a New Challenge with Joburg Super Kings

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-22

The Joburg Super Kings have made a move that could finally end their title drought. Former South African fast bowler Allan Donald is joining the franchise as their bowling coach for the SA20 2027 season, and the team confirmed the decision on Tuesday, October 13. It's a hire that makes a lot of sense when you think about it. The Super Kings have played four seasons without lifting the trophy, and their bowling attack has often been the missing piece. Now they're handing the reins to one of the most feared fast bowlers the game has ever seen. ### Donald Joins Albie Morkel's Coaching Group at JSK Donald won't be working in isolation. He'll team up with head coach Albie Morkel, who took charge after Stephen Fleming stepped down following the 2026 season. The 59-year-old is stepping into the role previously held by Eric Simons, who is now moving to Fleming's support staff in England. Donald hung up his playing boots back in 2004, and he's spent most of the years since in coaching roles. There's a certain poetry to it, really. A man who once terrorized batters with raw pace is now teaching others how to do the same. ### Donald's Coaching Record Across International and Franchise Cricket His coaching resume is nothing to sneeze at, either. Donald started coaching in 2007 as a temporary bowling consultant for England. He spent time with Warwickshire in 2008, then joined New Zealand as their bowling coach for the 2011 World Cup. Later that same year, in July 2011, he moved to South Africa under Gary Kirsten and stayed with the national side until the 2015 World Cup. That's nearly four years of shaping some of the best fast bowlers in the world. His franchise and league experience runs deep too. In the IPL, Donald has worked with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and with Pune Warriors India, a franchise that no longer exists. He also coached Kent in the County Championship and later worked with the Bangladesh national team as a fast bowling coach. > "Bowling is about rhythm, mindset, and trust. You can't teach heart, but you can teach a bowler how to use what they already have." — a sentiment that seems to guide Donald's coaching philosophy. ### JSK Support Staff Changes and SA20 2027 Schedule Super Kings made two more staff changes alongside the Donald announcement. Former wicketkeeper-batter Pierre de Bruyn has joined as fielding coach and will reunite with Morkel, with whom he worked at Titans and Namibia. Evan Speechly will take over as physiotherapist from Tommy Simsek. On the playing side, the franchise brought back former captain Faf du Plessis for about $150,000 at the recent SA20 auction. It also paid roughly $161,000 for uncapped allrounder Jason Rowles. Kieron Pollard, Blessing Muzarabani, Andries Gous, and Dayyaan Galiem joined the squad as well. The squad for the new season also includes Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, James Vince, Rilee Rossouw, and Leus du Plooy. Jamie Overton is part of the group as a wildcard signing. The fifth edition of the SA20 begins on January 17, 2027, at St George's Park in Gqeberha. The opening match will be a rematch of the 2026 final between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Pretoria Capitals. The league will end with the final on February 21 in Cape Town. So here's the question worth asking: can Donald turn a talented but trophy-less squad into champions? The Super Kings clearly believe he can. And if his playing career taught us anything, it's that Donald knows a thing or two about winning.