The player auction for the fourth edition of the SA20 will be held on 9 September 2025 in Johannesburg.
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, Joburg Super Kings and Durban’s Super Giants will share a minimum of 72 slots at the player auction.
“The squad composition of the teams remains the same, with the league continuing to prioritise opportunity for local talent on a global platform. Of the 18 players in the regular squad, teams can secure a maximum of seven overseas players, a minimum of 11 South African players,” read a statement from the SA20.
“Season four will again see teams being able to sign one wildcard player to each squad. The wildcard player can be a South African or overseas player, and their league fee falls outside of the salary cap.”
The salary cap for each of the six SA20 teams has been increased by R2 million for season four. The SA20 salary cap is higher than Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League and Caribbean Premier League salary caps.
“This year features the largest salary cap in the history of the competition – a sizeable R41 million in the purse for each of the six franchises to make up their squads. The salary cap has steadily increased over the years from the R34 million in season 1, making it the highest franchise T20 league salary cap outside of India,” said the SA20.
“In an SA20 first, a significant strategic innovation has been added to the season four auction with the introduction of the right to match (RTM) cards.
“A right to match card allows a franchise the opportunity to match a winning auction bid on a player who played for that team in season three and retain his services for season four.
“Each team will have a limited number of RTM cards to use, depending on the number of South African pre-auction player retentions they use.”
“The league’s commitment to the development of young talent in South Africa remains steadfast. There will no longer be a rookie draft, instead, teams must sign a minimum of two under-23 players in their final 19-player squads.”
Meanwhile, Durban’s Super Giants have signed England batsman Jos Buttler, West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine and Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad.
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have signed Afghanistan spinner AM Ghazanfar.
“Prior to the auction, the franchises are permitted no more than six retentions or pre-signed players comprising of a maximum of three overseas players and three South African players,” added the SA20.
MI Cape Town are the reigning SA20 champions. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape are the most successful team in the history of the SA20 with two titles.
Season four of the SA20 will start on 26 December.