The SA20 have increased the salary cap to R39.1 million per team ahead of the 2024 edition of the tournament.
The maximum number of players per squad has been increased to 19 – and the compulsory selection of a rookie player has been introduced.
“The salary cap has been increased by R5.1 million to R39.1 million from the first year, allowing teams to attract the best talent and a license to assemble competitive squads,” read a statement from the SA20.
“The official trading window for South African players opened on 1 June 2023, giving teams an opportunity to pre-sign, trade, buy out or retain players ahead of the auction.
“In a new introduction, teams will be required to sign a rookie player – a South African player 22 years of age or younger who has not featured in the SA20 before.
“Squad sizes will increase to 19 with the inclusion of the rookie player and the wild card player. Teams are required to have a minimum of 11 South African players in their squads. For the match day playing XI, teams can field a maximum of four overseas players and a minimum of seven South Africans.”
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape are the reigning SA20 champions. They beat the Pretoria Capitals in the inaugural final earlier this year.
SA20 league commissioner Graeme Smith added: “We have put these new regulations in place to build on the successful first season of the SA20, which was underpinned by entertaining and quality cricket from some of the best players in the world.
“The teams have an opportunity to assemble the best of South African and international talent, which will no doubt produce competitive and a high standard of cricket for the fans in the second season.
“The addition of a rookie player to the squads shows our continued commitment and investment to giving young talent exposure on a global platform.
“We saw some special performances from the young players in our first season. SA20 remains aspirational for up and coming cricketers and this is another opportunity for them to showcase their skills.”