Keeping JSK Moving

Johannesburg, 10 January 2024: Mahindra is the principal sponsor of everyone’s favourite SA20 cricket team, the Joburg Super Kings.

Mahindra joined the Joburg Super Kings on the eve of the second SA20 cricket series as both primary sponsor and vehicle provider. The Mahindra brand will proudly feature on the Joburg Super Kings apparel and on various key elements at the Wanderers Stadium.

“This is another milestone for Mahindra South Africa. Our sponsorship of the Joburg Super Kings follows a period of growth for the brand and marks our twentieth year of operation.

“The Mahindra South Africa brand is committed to investing in initiatives that illustrate the team spirit and cultural diversity of the South African consumer. This spirit is perfectly exemplified in a sport such as cricket,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.

The home of the Joburg Super Kings – Johannesburg – is not only the economic heart of South Africa, but also home to the most diverse group of consumers on the continent. As such, the partnership is the perfect fit for the Mahindra South Africa brand.

The partnership will also give cricket enthusiasts the opportunity to experience Mahindra South Africa’s authentic and superior SUV and bakkie range through various match activations.

Says Ankit Baldi, Head of the Joburg Super Kings franchise: “The Joburg Super Kings are pleased to partner with a global brand like Mahindra which has a strong presence in South Africa for two decades.

“Support from local brands is crucial for the development of the league and thus the sport. It also syncs with our campaign theme – To Joburg We Belong – aiding us to get closer to the people in South Africa.”

Super Kings franchise

The Joburg Super Kings is one of six franchises that compete for the richest prize pot in South African cricket. The teams compete for their share of R70 million, with the winners receiving no less than R34 million.

In this format, a game consists of 20 overs for each team, with both sides encouraged to play aggressively to increase their chances of winning. At the same time, each stadium adds its own exciting entertainment during and after the match to entertain the visitors and viewers, just like in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

On the topic of the IPL, The Joburg Super Kings has a very close affiliation with its namesake, the Chennai Super Kings, who owns the Johannesburg-based franchise.

The Chennai Super Kings holds a record five IPL titles, including a hotly contested 2023 Championship, and it is considered one of the most valuable cricket franchises in the IPL. It is also ranked as the most-followed cricket franchise in the world, with a presence in the IPL, the SA20 and, through its ownership of the Texas Super Kings, in the US Major League Cricket series.

It is worth noting that Mahindra & Mahindra, the global industrial powerhouse, is also a main partner to the IPL and it provides its modern range of SUVs, such as the XUV700 and Scorpio-N to several IPL teams.

Interestingly, Mahindra’s largest research facility and industrial complex, the Mahindra Research Valley or MRV is located not far from the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which is home to the Chennai Super Kings.

“The SA20 will be broadcast on virtually all continents, and we are excited to share our love for South Africa with IPL and cricket fans across the world,” says Rajesh.

The SA20 kicked off today with a match between the Mahindra-backed Joburg Super Kings and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Gqeberha. The first match on home soil is scheduled for Saturday, 13 January 2023, when the Joburg Super Kings face off against MI Cape Town.

“We invite everyone to join us at Joburg Super Kings matches at the Wanderers stadium as we collaborate with the team and organisers to give fans an exciting and memorable cricket experience,” says Rajesh.