The Johannesburg Super Kings announced on October 13, 2026, that Allan Donald would be their bowling coach for the SA20 2027 season. The legendary fast bowler from South Africa, 59, replaces Eric Simons, who left to work in Stephen Fleming’s backroom in England.
Allan Donald joins a redesigned JSK coaching program. After Fleming left after the 2026 season, Albie Morkel was appointed head coach on July 30, 2026. Donald will now collaborate with Morkel as the team gets ready for the next season.
Prior to the SA20 2027 auction on October 7, 2026, JSK kept a core group of players. The players that the team is holding back for the upcoming season include Faf du Plessis, Wiaan Mulder, Jason Rowles, Dayyan Galiem, Kieron Pollard, Blessing Muzarabani, and Andries Gous.
What does Allan Donald offer the bowling unit at JSK?
Among former fast bowlers, Allan Donald has one of the most extensive coaching records. Before accepting the position of head coach for Warwickshire in 2008, he was England’s bowling consultant in 2007. After that, he served as the bowling coach for New Zealand during the 2011 World Cup. Later, he joined South Africa, where he remained until the 2015 World Cup.
In addition to his overseas assignments, Allan Donald has played franchise cricket for Kent in county cricket and Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Pune Warriors India in the IPL. He was most recently the pace bowling coach for Bangladesh until the 2022 T20 World Cup. He is a well-traveled addition to the JSK setup because of his wide range of experience across formats, continents, and franchise environments.
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Eric Simons’ decision to join Stephen Fleming’s new backroom staff in England is connected to his departure from JSK. The team has not provided an official explanation for Fleming’s departure or Simons’ subsequent transfer, aside from the coaching change.
The SA20 title hasn’t been won by JSK. The team placed fourth in both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and Donald’s hiring along with Morkel marks a major change in the coaching staff as the team attempts to improve on those outcomes in 2027.
