Former Bishops (2021B) cricketer Jarren Bacher enjoyed a memorable and highly valuable experience as part of the Joburg Super Kings (JSK) squad during the 2025/2026 SA20 tournament. JSK finished fourth on the log and were narrowly eliminated by Paarl in the playoffs, bringing their campaign to an end.

During his time at Bishops, Jarren had the opportunity to represent the First XI under the guidance of coach John Knight. After leaving school, he travelled to the United Kingdom to further his studies while continuing to play cricket alongside his academic commitments

His journey toward the SA20 began in the previous season when he was invited to assist MI Cape Town as a net bowler. That experience proved to be a turning point. Training alongside elite professionals allowed him to learn from a high-performance environment, and his efforts did not go unnoticed.

This led to a trial game for the Joburg Super Kings franchise in Johannesburg, an opportunity that Jarren described as both exciting and rewarding.

Every detail of the day, from breakfast schedules to team transport, was carefully planned. This stood in contrast to school and club cricket, where players are often left to make decisions on their own..

The JSK environment introduced Jarren to a completely new level of professionalism.

Returning to South Africa and being invited into such a prestigious setup boosted his confidence significantly. It reinforced his belief that regardless of the level at which one plays, strong performances can lead to recognition and further opportunities.

In the professional setup, there was always someone available to offer guidance , whether a coach, analyst, or teammate , which created clarity and confidence.

Although Jarren did not receive match time during the tournament, he described the experience as an invaluable learning opportunity. Each player in the squad was given a role on match days, whether playing or not, and everyone was encouraged to add value wherever possible.

As this was his first exposure to a top-level franchise environment, he made a conscious effort to absorb as much knowledge as he could from those around him. Team culture also played an important role in his experience.

Jarren formed strong connections with fellow young players such as Diaan Forrester, Matthew de Villiers and Neil Timmers, who were also new to the squad. He was warmly accepted by the wider group, making the transition into professional cricket far more comfortable.

Training alongside senior international stars was a moment of reflection and pride for Jarren. It was a special honour to work with players he had admired since primary school, including Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Rilee Rossouw and Wiaan Mulder. Each of these players brought a wealth of international experience and willingly shared their knowledge with younger squad members.

One player who stood out as a major influence was Imran Tahir. Jarren noted that Tahir was always approachable and eager to offer advice. At 46 years old, his professionalism and commitment to the game remained inspiring. His humility, love for cricket and willingness to mentor younger players left a lasting impression. As a spinner himself, Jarren made every effort to learn as much as possible from Tahir's experience.

The JSK coaching staff also played a key role in his development. Each coach brought unique expertise, and Jarren focused on taking something different from each of them to improve his own game.

Reflecting on the experience, Jarren believes that despite not playing, he proved to himself that he belongs in a high-performance environment. Professional sport carries pressure both on and off the field, and being part of that setup was a privilege.

Over recent years, Jarren has always maintained a passion for cricket and belief in his ability.

However, outside of university sport, opportunities to step up were limited, and at times he questioned whether to continue pursuing the game. His time with JSK has reignited his love for cricket and strengthened his belief that he can compete at the top level.

The franchise backed him and provided honest feedback on areas for improvement.

With this guidance, Jarren now has a clear action plan to take his game to the next level. He expressed gratitude to the coaches and fellow players who supported him during his time in Johannesburg.

Looking ahead, Jarren has been invited to train at the CSK (Chennai Super Kings) academy, the parent franchise of JSK , ahead of the next IPL season in India. This opportunity will allow him to further develop his skills while learning from some of the best in the game.

Reaching this level has required perseverance and hard work, and Jarren remains committed to continuous learning and improvement. He hopes the franchise will continue to support his journey and that he will earn opportunities to compete at professional level.

With strong belief in his own ability and a determined work ethic, Jarren Bacher aims to establish himself in the T20 format and make a name for himself in the future of professional cricket.