As Proteas players, Temba Bavuma and Andile Phehlukwayo each had a base price of R850,000 but twice failed to attract the interest of the six franchises.

“It’s brutal out there, there’s a lot of competition for places,” said Durban Super Giants coach Lance Klusener afterwards.

“It just shows you that if you’re a good player for South Africa, it doesn’t mean you have the same recognition around the world. Maybe that will just drive people who didn’t get bought, a little bit harder for next year.”

MI Cape Town coach Simon Katich said: “The way the auction dynamic plays out, it can go in different directions. We’ve had plans to get certain players and that changed if someone comes cheaper than you expect. There are plenty of players who missed out today, it goes to show how competitive it is. Some of the South African boys are competing with franchises that felt like they should go with an overseas player. I’m sure there is an opportunity down the line.”

Other notable players who missed out were Pieter Malan, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Sinethemba Qeshile, Farhaan Behardien, Dane Paterson, Ross Taylor and Carlos Brathwaite.