SAT20: Graeme Smith wants Temba Bavuma and Andile Phehlukwayo to bounce back from auction snub

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was snubbed at the auction of South Africa's latest T20 tournament. This shocked Graeme Smith, who hoped that Bavuma would prove people wrong.

Former South Africa Director of Cricket Graeme Smith was left shocked after national team captain Temba Bavuma failed to find takers in SA20 auction. South Africa's latest T20 franchise tournament held their auctions on Monday, 19 September, and youngster Tristan Stubbs went for a record-shattering sum of money. Alongside Bavuma, Andile Pheklukwayo did not find any takers as well, a trend that does not bode well for the South Africa squad for the T20 World Cup.

Speaking after the snub, Smith was left shocked at the development and said that one never knows what these franchises are looking for.

"You always get disappointed, you know. You are sitting on the couch, whenever you are a part of it. You know, you don’t know what these guys want and what they are looking for. Hopefully it serves as motivation to the guys to go out and perform and really go out and put in the big performances. Who knows what happens closer to the tournament, injuries happen and things might come your way," he said on the official broadcaster.

Bavuma has run through a rough patch since the series against India. The batter has not been able to get back in touch.

"I have been in a lot of disappointing situations myself in my career and I remember back in 2003 World Cup, I was not selected. I suddenly got an opportunity six months later and hopefully you know it triggers that right type of drive to get back in form, scoring runs and proving people wrong," the former player said.

The South Africa team led by Bavuma has announced a strong squad for the T20 line-up. Proteas have a strong bowling line-up and have the likes of David Miller and Aiden Markram in their batting line-up.