SA20 Auction Highlights

Fast bowlers Shamar Joseph, Naseem Shah, Josh Little, and Josh Hull are among the international talents up for grabs in the upcoming SA20 auction. Nearly 200 players, including 115 South Africans, are on the shortlist, but with only 13 spots available across six franchises, competition is fierce.

Leading the auction with the largest budget, Paarl Royals have R11.95 million to spend, followed by MI Cape Town with R8.275 million, and Pretoria Capitals holding R4.575 million. Joburg Super Kings, back-to-back champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, and Durban's Super Giants have smaller purses, with R3.925 million, R2.845 million, and R2.35 million, respectively.

Among the notable overseas names are New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Sri Lankan allrounder Kamindu Mendis, and Afghan wrist-spinner Qais Ahmad. Graeme Smith, SA20 commissioner and former South African captain, expressed excitement, stating that several top international T20 players have already signed for season three, and he looks forward to how the squads will finalise their rosters.

In the South African contingent, Reeza Hendricks, released by Joburg Super Kings, stands out alongside opener Tony de Zorzi as key players in the auction.

Each SA20 squad must consist of 19 players, with at least ten South Africans, a maximum of seven international players, one rookie, and one wildcard. While most teams have already named their wildcard picks, the Joburg Super Kings have until December 30 to finalize theirs. The Paarl Royals made headlines by selecting former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, marking him the first Indian to participate in SA20 after his retirement from international cricket in June.

The SA20 2025 auction is set for October 1, with the tournament kicking off on January 9. It will coincide with major global leagues like Australia's Big Bash, the UAE’s ILT20, and New Zealand’s Super Smash.

Current Squads Ahead of the SA20 Auction:

Durban's Super Giants:  

Brandon King, Quinton De Kock, Naveen Ul Haq, Kane Williamson, Chris Woakes, Prenelan Subrayen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Noor Ahmed, Heinrich Klaasen, Jon-Jon Smuts, Wiaan Mulder, Junior Dala, Bryce Parsons, Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Marcus Stoinis.

Joburg Super Kings:  

Faf Du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Maheesh Theekshana, Devon Conway, Gerald Coetzee, David Wiese, Leus Du Plooy, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Imran Tahir, Sibonelo Makhanya, Tabraiz Shamsi.

MI Cape Town:  

Rashid Khan, Ben Stokes, Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Azmatullah Omarzai, Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Nuwan Thushara, Connor Esterhuizen, Delano Potgieter, Rassie Van der Dussen, Thomas Kaber, Chris Benjamin, Corbin Bosch.

Pretoria Capitals:  

Anrich Nortje, Jimmy Neesham, Will Jacks, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Liam Livingstone, Will Smeed, Migael Pretorius, Rilee Rossouw, Eathan Bosch, Wayne Parnell, Senuran Muthusamy, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Steve Stolk, Tiaan van Vuuren.

Paarl Royals:  

David Miller, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sam Hain, Joe Root, Dinesh Karthik, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Van Buuren, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Andile Phehlukwayo, Codi Yusuf, John Turner, Dayyaan Galiem, Jacob Bethell.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape:  

Aiden Markram, Zak Crawley, Roelof van der Merwe, Liam Dawson, Ottneil Baartman, Marco Jansen, Beyers Swanepoel, Caleb Seleka, Tristan Stubbs, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Craig Overton, Tom Abell, Simon Harmer, Andile Simelane, David Bedingham.