SA20 League: 30 Players Confirmed Ahead of Fourth Season

Rethabile Nyelele24 July , 2025

The SA20 League is revving up for its fourth edition, with 30 players already confirmed to form the backbone of the six franchises. With a blend of seasoned internationals and local favourites, the league has officially entered the next phase of its evolution. It is one of the country’s most exciting T20 spectacles.

Strong Core Set Ahead of Auction

A total of 24 players have either been retained by their respective teams or signed on pre-tournament agreements, as per the latest regulations. In addition to these, each franchise has exercised its right to nominate a wildcard—a player who featured in the third season. This player was selected outside of the retention process.

Under current SA20 rules, teams were allowed up to six confirmed players before the auction. This could include a maximum of three local talents and three overseas stars. In total, 17 international players and 13 South Africans have been confirmed.

The retention window officially closed last week, setting the stage for the much-anticipated auction in September.

Auction Set to Shape Final Squads

With 84 spots still open across the six franchises, the upcoming auction on 9 September in Johannesburg is expected to be the biggest talking point of the off-season. Teams will enter the bidding arena with a combined salary purse of R131 million. They seek to finalize their squads.

Several prominent Proteas are still up for grabs, including Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, and Keshav Maharaj. All of these players made headlines during the World Test Championship final. There’s also a fresh wave of talent with young guns like Dewald Brevis and Kwena Maphaka. Meanwhile, seasoned T20 specialists Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi remain available.

Commissioner Praises Strategic Shift

SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith reflected on the league’s development. He noted that the current structure was part of a long-term vision. This vision was first drafted during the inaugural season.

“This season marks an important turning point for the league,” said Smith. “We always anticipated a strategic reset around this time. We’re seeing that materialise with a great balance of retained local stars, high-quality international players, and an auction that promises drama and tactical thinking.”

Smith also pointed out how franchises have matured. They are adapting their strategies based on a deeper understanding of the domestic cricketing landscape.

Star-Packed Confirmed Players by Team

Durban’s Super Giants (R29.5m remaining):
Sunil Narine, Noor Ahmad, Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen (wildcard)

Joburg Super Kings (R21.5m remaining):
Faf du Plessis, James Vince, Akeal Hosein, Richard Gleeson, Donovan Ferreira (wildcard)

MI Cape Town (R11.5m remaining):
Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Rashid Khan, Trent Boult, Nicholas Pooran, Kagiso Rabada (wildcard)

Paarl Royals (R14.5m remaining):
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, David Miller, Bjorn Fortuin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sikandar Raza, Rubin Hermann (wildcard)

Pretoria Capitals (R32.5m remaining):
Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell (wildcard)

Sunrisers Eastern Cape (R21.5m remaining):
Tristan Stubbs, Allah Ghazanfar, Adam Milne, Jonny Bairstow, Marco Jansen (wildcard)

All Eyes on December

The fourth season of the SA20 League will take place from 26 December 2025 to 26 January 2026. This is just weeks before the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. With top players looking to fine-tune their form and franchises building smarter than ever, the league is poised for another unforgettable summer in the country’s cricket calendar.