Mitchell Marsh, Sam Curran, Joe Root, Phil Salt and Jason Holder headline a star-studded list of overseas arrivals after the six SA20 franchises confirmed their retained players and pre-auction signings for Season 5. With the player auction still to come, Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals have already completed their 19-player squads, while 19 places remain to be filled across the other four franchises at the auction on October 7.
Australia’s T20 captain Marsh is set for his maiden SA20 stint after joining three-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Marsh, who represents the Sunrisers franchise in The Hundred, strengthens an already formidable batting group featuring Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Jordan Hermann and captain Tristan Stubbs.
Durban’s Super Giants have roped in England all-rounder Sam Curran, who is back in the league after his stint with MI Cape Town in the first two seasons. Curran joins compatriot Jos Buttler at Super Giants, whose roster also includes Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and Sunil Narine. Paarl Royals, meanwhile, have brought back England Test captain Root as a wildcard entry, along with roping in Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.
Last season’s runners-up Pretoria Capitals have bolstered their top order by bringing in Phil Salt alongside Australia’s Matthew Short. The pair, who currently open together for Welsh Fire in The Hundred, add further firepower to a batting line-up that includes Sherfane Rutherford, Connor Esterhuizen, Dewald Brevis and Andre Russell.
Another notable switch sees England all-rounder Will Jacks leave Pretoria Capitals for MI Cape Town, which will mark his third association with an MI-owned team, having played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and MI London in The Hundred. Joburg Super Kings, meanwhile, have added Jason Holder after parting ways with captain Faf du Plessis, who led the team in the last four seasons.
Among the other high-profile releases are Jonny Bairstow from Sunrisers Eastern Cape, while MI Cape Town have moved on from Trent Boult, Rassie van der Dussen and Kieron Pollard. Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger are also set to re-enter the auction after being released by Super Kings.
“Season 5 is shaping up to be our strongest yet,” SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith said. “Bringing in a player of Mitchell Marsh’s calibre alongside the class of Joe Root, Sam Curran and Phil Salt shows the growing pull of our league on the global stage. What excites me most is seeing that quality alongside South Africa’s international and domestic stars at the peak of their powers.
“The franchises head into the auction with the majority of their squads already locked in, which speaks volumes about the stability and consistency we have built. This sets us up for a highly competitive Season 5.”
The Super Kings and MI Cape Town will be the busiest teams at the auction, requiring seven and six additions respectively, while Pretoria Capitals have five vacancies to fill. All six franchises have exhausted their overseas pre-signing quota, while Super Kings have the option of making a wildcard signing.
SA20 season 5 begins on January 17 with defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape taking on Pretoria Capitals at St George’s Park in a rematch of last season’s final, before concluding with the final at Newlands on February 21.
Pre-auction squads
Sunrisers Eastern Cape (17/19)
Overseas: James Coles, Lewis Gregory, Rishad Hossain, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Milne
South Africa: Matthew Breetzke, Quinton de Kock, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell van Buuren
U23: CJ King, JP King | Wildcard: Marco Jansen
Pretoria Capitals (14/19)
Overseas: Sherfane Rutherford, Phil Salt, Matthew Short
South Africa: Connor Esterhuizen, Wihan Lubbe, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Bryce Parsons, Gideon Peters, Lizaad Williams, Codi Yusuf
U23: Dewald Brevis, Bayanda Majola | Wildcard: Andre Russell
Paarl Royals (19/19)
Overseas: Daniel Lawrence, Gudakesh Motie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sikandar Raza, Thomas Rew, Asa Tribe, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
South Africa: Ottneil Baartman, Bjorn Fortuin, Rubin Hermann, Keagan Lion-Cachet, David Miller, Delano Potgieter, Kyle Verreynne, Hardus Viljoen
U23: Jacob Johannes Basson, Nqobani Mokoena, Lhuan-dre Pretorius | Wildcard: Joe Root
MI Cape Town (13/19)
Overseas: Will Jacks, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran
South Africa: Corbin Bosch, Reeza Hendricks, Thomas Kaber, George Linde, Dane Piedt, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren
U23: Tristan Luus | Wildcard: Kagiso Rabada
Durban’s Super Giants (19/19)
Overseas: Jos Buttler, Devon Conway, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Sunil Narine, Kane Williamson
South Africa: Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Eathan Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Daryn Dupavillon, Simon Harmer, Evan Jones, Aiden Markram, Kyle Simmonds
U23: Kwena Maphaka, Andile Simelane | Wildcard: Heinrich Klaasen
Joburg Super Kings (13/19)
Overseas: Leus du Plooy, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, James Vince
South Africa: Matthew de Villiers, Donovan Ferreira, Dian Forrester, Duan Jansen, Rilee Rossouw, Janco Smit, Prenelan Subrayen
U23: Jarren Bacher | Wildcard: TBC
