The SA20 2025 season is already underway, marking the 3rd edition of the highest-level T20 cricket league competition in South Africa. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of the league, and we all know they’re after the triple crown this year.
But it won’t be an easy task by any means, especially with so many rising stars on the horizon. South Africa has always been a breeding ground for cricket talent, but several young players are ripe to make names for themselves on both the domestic and international stage in 2025. We will follow the league as closely as possible, and we believe these five players will be rising South African cricket stars in 2025.
Quick comparison of upcoming SA cricket stars
Before we proceed with our top 5 list and why they deserve their sport like you deserve to play online roulette for money in South Africa at premium sites like RouletteDoc, we prepared a short rundown of the players that made our list.
| Player | Age | Role | Recent Highlights |
| Kwena Maphaka | 18 | Left-arm bowler | Youngest SA international; 4/72 vs Pakistan |
| Mihlali Mpongwana | 24 | All-rounder | Captain SA Emerging; consistent with Cape Cobras |
| Tristan Stubbs | 23 | Top-order batsman | Backed for Test No. 3; he plays for the Warriors |
| Jason Smith | 29 | All-rounder | T20I debut vs WI; plays for Dolphins |
| Donovan Ferreira | 26 | Middle-order batsman | Power hitter; a force for Titans in SA20 |
1. Kwena Maphaka
Remember this name: Kwena Maphaka is just 18, and he’s already made a name for himself. Maphaka made history last year when he debuted in a T20I against the West Indies in August, thus becoming the youngest South African man to play international cricket.
He’s known for his fiery left-arm fast bowling, and he has been through batting orders since his stellar performance at the Under-19 World Cup. During the U19 WC, Maphaka grabbed multiple five-wicket hauls, putting him on top of our list of upcoming South African stars.
His ODI debut against Pakistan in December 2024 was very successful as well, taking 4/72 and snaring Babar Azam’s wicket. Maphaka has everything it takes to be a star: pace, accuracy, and the hunger to dominate. Every cricket fan would tell you that these characteristics are a lethal combo for any fast bowler.
2. Mihlali Mpongwana
At 24, Mihlali Mpongwana is not one of the youngest players to make our list, but he’s most definitely a player South Africa can count on for the future. He’s a very talented all-rounder who has it in himself to make an impact anywhere on the pitch.
He has a right-arm fast-medium bowling that keeps batsmen guessing, and he has dependable lower-order batting that adds depth to any lineup. Despite his young age, Mpongwana captained the South Africa Emerging Players during their Zimbabwe tour in mid-2024. He showed real leadership skills in the squid, which is an important aspect. He has been performing consistently in domestic cricket for his Western Province team as well, indicating that he’s ready to step up to the senior national team soon and maybe fight for the SA20 trophy.
3. Tristan Stubbs
We all love players who can do fireworks with the bat, and Tristan Stubbs can surely do them. He’s one of the most aggressive and powerful young South African players, and he is built to take on bowlers.
At 23, he’s already turning heads. South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, has big plans for Tristan Stubbs, eyeing him for the crucial number three spot in Test cricket. Stubbs is aggressive and all about attacking from the start, making him a potentially game-changing presence in the middle order for any team. He’s another Eastern Province player who hopes to lift the SA20 trophy in the following years, and although fighting for the trophy might be an unrealistic challenge in the 2025 season, we believe it to be his breakout year due to his form in the domestic league and his fearlessness at the crease.
4. Jason Smith
Jason Smith is a name you will definitely hear more often in 2025. He’s the oldest player on this list at 29 years old, but he has been a seasoned performer in domestic T20 leagues. Jason Smith is a true all-rounder who combines powerful hitting with handy medium-pace bowling. He finally earned his T20I debut in the August 2024 series against the West Indies, and despite his age, he still has plenty of time to become a South African star.
He showed glimpses of his potential during his first game, and we believe 2025 might be his breakout year because of his versatility. Smith is a versatile player who can win matches with either bat or ball, making him a valuable asset as South Africa continues to build its T20 strategy.
5. Donovan Ferreira
The best word to describe Donovan Ferreira is ‘explosive’. Once you see him play, you will understand exactly why that is. With just a few overs, his middle-order batting can turn a match. The 26-year-old Ferreira has been performing in domestic T20 leagues, and his great ability to finish innings and scoring rate have earned him a call-up and a spot for the West Indies T20 series in 2024. He currently plays for the Titans for the 2025 season and has become a prominent figure in the SA20 league.
Bowlers have nightmares of his inventive shot-making and aggressive batting, especially during the death overs, but we believe he still hasn’t received the recognition he deserves. But his attacking and fearless mindset and great finishing skills are just what South Africa needs, and we believe 2025 will be his year.