SA20 Auction: Top South Africa and Overseas Players Set to Be Auctioned
The upcoming SA20 auction is set to feature top cricket talent, including South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi, as well as international fast bowlers like Shamar Joseph, Naseem Shah, Josh Little, and Josh Hull. Nearly 200 players have made the shortlist, including 115 South Africans, but only 13 spots remain across six franchises.
Among the teams, Paarl Royals have the largest auction budget with R11.95 million, followed by MI Cape Town at R8.275 million and Pretoria Capitals with R4.575 million. Joburg Super Kings, back-to-back champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, and Durban’s Super Giants have smaller purses of R3.925 million, R2.845 million, and R2.35 million, respectively.
Overseas players, such as New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Kamindu Mendis, and Afghanistan spinner Qais Ahmad, are expected to be high-profile picks.
Graeme Smith’s Outlook on SA20 Season 3
Graeme Smith, former South Africa captain and current SA20 commissioner, expressed excitement about the upcoming season. “Some of the biggest names in international T20 have already signed up for season 3, and I’m eager to see how teams finalize their squads from this competitive auction list,” Smith said.
South African Players in the Spotlight
Among the South African players, Reeza Hendricks, who was released by Joburg Super Kings, stands out as one of the top domestic names in the auction. He will be joined by fellow opener Tony de Zorzi on the shortlist, both of whom are expected to attract attention from franchises.
All squads must consist of 19 players, with a minimum of ten South African players and a maximum of seven international players, along with one rookie and one wildcard. While most franchises have already announced their wildcard picks, Joburg Super Kings are yet to finalize theirs, with a deadline of December 30.
In a notable wildcard selection, Paarl Royals have brought in former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik, making him the first Indian to participate in the SA20 tournament following his retirement from international cricket earlier this year.
Auction Details and Tournament Schedule
The SA20 2025 auction is set for October 1, with the tournament beginning on January 9. The competition will run concurrently with other T20 leagues, including Australia’s Big Bash League, UAE’s ILT20, and New Zealand’s Super Smash.
Current Squads of SA20 Teams Ahead of the Auction:
Durban’s Super Giants:
Brandon King (West Indies), Quinton De Kock, Naveen Ul Haq (Afghanistan), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Chris Woakes (England), Prenelan Subrayen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Noor Ahmed (Afghanistan), Heinrich Klaasen, Jon-Jon Smuts, Wiaan Mulder, Junior Dala, Bryce Parsons, Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Marcus Stoinis (Australia)
Joburg Super Kings:
Faf Du Plessis, Moeen Ali (England), Jonny Bairstow (England), Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka), Devon Conway (New Zealand), Gerald Coetzee, David Wiese (Namibia), Leus Du Plooy (England), Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Imran Tahir, Sibonelo Makhanya, Tabraiz Shamsi
MI Cape Town:
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Ben Stokes (England), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult (New Zealand), Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan), Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka), Connor Esterhuizen, Delano Potgieter, Rassie Van der Dussen, Thomas Kaber, Chris Benjamin (England), Corbin Bosch
Pretoria Capitals:
Anrich Nortje, Jimmy Neesham (New Zealand), Will Jacks (England), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan), Liam Livingstone (England), Will Smeed (England), 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 (Afghanistan), Sam Hain (England), Joe Root (England), Dinesh Karthik (India), Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Van Buuren, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Andile Phehlukwayo, Codi Yusuf, John Turner (England), Dayyaan Galiem, Jacob Bethell (England)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape:
Aiden Markram, Zak Crawley (England), Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands), Liam Dawson (England), Ottneil Baartman, Marco Jansen, Beyers Swanepoel, Caleb Seleka, Tristan Stubbs, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Craig Overton (England), Tom Abell (England), Simon Harmer, Andile Simelane, David Bedingham
With the SA20 auction approaching, teams are ready to fill their final spots as excitement builds for another thrilling season of T20 cricket.
