As the South African T-20 league is entering year number four, there will be a ton of excitement to see how the teams shape after their auction period. With this being exactly on September 9th, starting at 7:45 P.M. IST, all six teams’ team management and selectors will be paying heavy prices for top players around the world.
Seeing that last season’s champions were MI Cape Town, they became the first team to win this tournament, not named Eastern Cape Sunrisers. Knowing that the popularity of this league continues to develop amongst South African fans and people worldwide, other sides in this league hope for a chance to conquer a trophy for their hometown fans by building a very strong team.
Since the pre-signings have already been finished, including Nicholas Pooran going to MI Cape Town, Andre Russell moving towards the Pretoria Capitals, and Sikandar Raza signing with Paarl Royals, each team will have whatever is left in their purse to use at this auction. Two of the biggest names out there will be Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis, as they both are looking to go somewhere where they earn more money, with a huge slew of domestic cricketers from South Africa itself, plus international superstars from other nations also being available for this event. Below, we will go over how every team should spend in the auction and which pieces look most promising for years to come.
Paarl Royals: Use Limited Cap Space To Improve All-Rounders and Bowlers, While Also Getting Younger Pieces
After giving the previously mentioned Sikandar Raza a contract early, 6206 combined runs in T20 cricket, this is one side that will really have to manage their money well during auction time. With them retaining power-hitting David Miller and two newer batsmen in both Lhaun-Dre Pretorious plus Rubin Hermann as a wildcard, who recently made their debut for South Africa, this side only has about 14.5 million rand to spend during their auction.
One thing they really need to spend on is bowling, since all they were able to keep was orthodox bowler Bjorn Fortuin and spinner Mujeeb Ur-Rahman, who had 14 wickets last season. Although Sikandar Raza will help in that department alongside scoring runs in the middle order, this group will have to look for full-time pieces since both Kwena Maphaka plus Nqaba Peter ended up leaving. One name that comes into mind is re-adding Taibraz Shamsi, as when he had previously played for Paarl Royals two seasons ago, his economy was always under 7.75 and he had a productive 10 wickets in 2023-2024.
Being left-handed, it really will give this side someone who can turn the ball at full strength, and also fool many batsmen by forcing them to hit it high in the sky for potential catching opportunities. If they add him, it would really give them two stable lefties, while then also going for a star pacer like Anrich Nortje, who could replace Lungi Ngidi from last season.
Talking about middle-order batting outside of David Miller, buying Dinesh Karthik at a relatively similar price to help establish the younger players again could be quite vital. Scoring a 50 last season, he isn’t the batsman who once played for India, but having a leader in the middle could help him, alongside Paarl, trying to get a strong middle-order batsman like Rassie van Der Dussen or Quinton De Kock.
As they will have van Der Dussen higher on their list due to his 393 runs last year and having history with this franchise in other leagues, this side should then aim for another true all-rounder like Delano Potgieter, who could increase the depth of batting with Raza, while being another bowling option. Lastly, to close it out, since they have less space, they could try and get someone like Jorich van Schalkwyk, who’s playing under-19 for South Africa and is a strong top-order batsmen.
Joburg Super Kings: Can They Finally Unleash Full Potential After Previous Squads Nearly Won It All
Seeing the Joburg Super Kings, they have done a masterful job of keeping some key pieces like Faf Du Plessis and giving Donovan Ferrira a wildcard signing with over 20 million rand still left in their purse. A group that brought in a phenomenal T20 bowler named Richard Gleeson, alongside spinner Akeal Hosein and superstar middle-order batsman James Vince, they already look pretty strong before even spending on their whole squad.
As this side will potentially no longer have Devon Conway, who has hit the open market, they will look for a perfect left-handed wicket keeper and batsmen. There would be no better option than South Africa legend Quinton De Kock, whom they can spend their big bucks on to replace him. Another key piece they lack is having true all-rounders, and one way to fix that is by going after someone like Chris Woakes, who’s a stronger in both bowling plus batting, or even a lefty like Keshav Maharaj.
With them having the money to potentially add both of them, there are other options for this department as well, with guys such as Wiaan Mulder plus Wihan Lubbe available. Having two vital all-rounders out of this select group could be key because they not only allow them to spend wisely, but also fill out roster spots in huge need. Since Joburg Super Kings also need to add more middle-order batters outside James Vince, someone like Sam Hain would be a tremendous option, as he’s always seemed dominant in Vitaly Blast too.
Will Smead could be another big target for them, or going after Colin Ingram, since their potential most prized buy in Dewald Brevis will go for a lot. Seeing that Joburg Super Kings has been targeting Brevis all summer long and will do anything to get him at any cost, having a lefty like Ingram across him could be a game-changer. Finally, to add one or two pieces into their pace department, this group should target someone young like Kwena Maphaka or 2nd-year Tristan Luus, while hoping to hit the jackpot on a player with great experience like Lungi Ngidi.
MI Cape Town: An Already Strong Roster Hopes To Build Up Even More
As MI Cape Town has come out of this auction as the strongest team by retaining superstars such as Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and adding Nicholas Pooran with a pre-signing, their main goal is to just make their roster more stacked. Since Ryan Rickleton is already a key opening batsman that they got back, and have two all-rounders in George Linde plus Corbin Bosch, while Trent Boult rounds out their bowling attack, all they really just need are a few more batters.
With this group needing another strong opening piece, they have about 11.5 million rand in order to find a player that could fit this role perfectly, while adding more middle-order depth. One name that stands out is adding back Reeza Hendricks, as he’s shown better improvement in the domestic format, while there could be a potential way for them to land South African hero Temba Bavuma.
Getting both them could help this be the most complete unit from top to bottom, while other options to look into would include Kyle Verreynne or getting Rassie van Der Dussen to play for them once again. Seeing this plethora of ways that they could build a squad, similarly to last year, they want to look at the U-19 side to help replace what could be a loss in Dewald Brevis.
A piece that could truly make them go over the top is adding under-19 star Armaan Manack, or even going after Vihan Pretorious, who’s been dominating the domestic scene in South Africa. Lastly, to ensure that they have a full round of bowlers on their side, MI Cape Town will either try purchasing Lungi Ngidi or go after someone international like Josh Hull, 6-foot-7 pacer who has taken 7 wickets in 6 matches for Leicestershire.
Eastern Cape Sunrisers: Good Amount of Value Helping Them Rebuild Into A Champion Team
Looking at the Eastern Cape Sunrises, who made SA20 finals in their first three years straight, they are looking to get back towards that phase once again. Losing Aiden Markram will really hurt them, but opens up a lot of cap space with Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs retained. After adding Johnny Bairstow, Adam Milne, and AM Ghanzafar, they are starting to look a lot more loaded, while also getting ready to for a rookie draft they could excel in.
Having 21.5 million rands to spend, they will go after more batsmen than bowlers since their bowling attack is nearly set. Before going into who their pure batters will be, this group should try getting all-rounders like Azmatullah Omarzai, plus Wiaan Mulder, who can provide a threat in all parts. Now going into their batting, Eastern Cape already did a terrific job by adding Johnny Bairstow and knowing Stubbs can score well, but need more depth to carry along innings.
Adding Matthew Breetzke, 416 runs two SA20 seasons ago, will be a tremendous option as he has shown consistent knock after knock and bats quite fast. Getting him for a cheaper price will be an absolute steal, while this group should be thinking of bringing back Tony De Zorzi as a left-handed piece.
Although Jordan Hermann was struggling at times for them last season, they should try retaining him and move him down the order to play more aggressively, while top-order batters continue with class. Even if this side can’t get him back, they will definitely go after another growing T20 player in David Bedingham, who started improving last year.
For more power as well, they should go after Romario Shepard, who they don’t have to bowl despite being an all-rounder, but can make him close out the innings at 5 or 6-down. Lastly, they could go after batsmen built for the T20 game, like Tim David or Mitchell Owen, so this team can be a real squad to reckon with. Finally, talking about who they could sign as a rookie from the draft, one real name that comes up is Muhammed Bulbulia, who will try fitting in if Markram doesn’t re-sign.
Pretoria Capitals: Spending Power Will Really Support Them To Become Stronger
One of the franchises that has struggled to find any success in SA20 cricket is this Pretoria Capitals squad, that are looking for a full-fledged rebuild. Having finished in 5th place last season, they have completely cleared out their roster except Will Jacks and only pre-signed Andre Russell, plus Sherfane Rutherford.
Hoping for change with nearly 32.5 million rand in their pocket, it’s clear that their main goals are to add proper bowlers and top-order batsmen. For the bowling department, this side should look to sign Lungi Ngidi for whatever price possible, as he will be vital to helping lead their attack.
If that doesn’t go through, other options include adding a heavily-popular Kwena Maphaka or going after the 2nd-highest wicket-taker all-time in Otneil Baartman. Adding two of these three would help them even more, and give them a chance to look internationally for other pieces. Adding back Senuran Muthuswamy could be a huge deal for this unit, as he’s shown tremendous improvement, while they will likely try to add either Taibraz Shamsi or Duan Jansen to the other side.
Seeing that Jansen has slowly started to play more into form, this could be a perfect steal for Pretoria and help them add one international pacer like Jayden Seals or Shamar Joseph to close out that attack. Now going into their batting, one power-hitter that could address a ton of their issues at one or two down is none other than Josh Inglis. Growing as a worldwide T20 batsman and potentially having his chance of dominating another league, it will be massive for the Capitals to get someone like him. With his chances of playing in the Ashes not that strong anymore, if he declares for the auction alongside Shai Hope, it will be a real threat to all other bowling attacks.
This side will also try getting Marcus Stoinis to play that three-down position before Rutherford, so it could expand the batting attack. Since only four international players are allowed, it’s a 50/50 shot on who plays if Pretoria signs Stoinis. Now, going onto local players, this side should definitely be all in for Rassie van Der Dussen as well because they can go all out to get him on their side.
On top of that, if David Bedingham or someone like Reeza Hendricks becomes available, it’s a must-add for this unit to round out their batting attack and rebuild a stronger squad. Lastly, it’s important to mention that this side has a draft selection where they could either target Johnathon Bird or George van Heerden, while signing young Bryce Parsons.
Durban Super Giants: Can This Side Run Past Everyone In SA20 Action?
Looking at the Durban Super Giants, they already look like one of the strongest sides without even having been able to spend their 29 million+ rand, yet. Having retained Heinrich Klaasen as a wildcard was a bold move, alongside them getting Jos Butler with two new spinners in Noor Ahmad, plus Sunil Narine. Learning that they should now just focus on finding a few openers and pacers, this 29 million will give them more than enough flexibility to do that.
One thing they should really strive for is getting Kane Williamson to bat 1-down for them as he continues being a world-class batsman. If they don’t get him, their backup plan could be Mitchell Marsh, given that he’s 50/50 on joining this league or Big Bash. Whoever they get will be pretty exciting, as they will look for a local South African opener across them, such as Bryce Parsons or even Matthew Breetzke, being in their mix.
With a tremendous number of options to fill that opening duo, they will also look for some other pieces that can close past Klaasen. A side that won’t risk too much on getting Dewald Brevis, since they already have two expensive finishers, they could try landing someone like Steve Stolk, who comes from the same school as Klaasen. Given that he’s young, there will be a lot of room for improvement, but he knows that Sunil Narine is there for insurance behind him if ever in trouble.
Talking about the pace-bowling, Durban should spend all their remaining money on this position and try getting some pieces with veteran experience, like Mark Wood. For local bowlers, some names that really come out clearly are Tristan Luus, Lizaad Williams, and, getting back, Junior Dala. If they manage to do all three of these, while also adding someone such as Gerald Coetzee, their team could benefit even more to be contendors by adding a draft pick like Raaeq Daniels.