Johannesburg : The countdown to SA20 Season 4 begins as the much-awaited player auction is set to take place on Tuesday, 9 September 2025 in Johannesburg. With a minimum of 72 player slots available, this season’s auction promises high-stakes bidding, strategic maneuvering, and the introduction of exciting new rules.
Each of the six franchises will build their 19-player squads with a maximum of 7 overseas players and at least 11 South African players, reaffirming the league’s commitment to providing a global platform for local talent. Teams will also be allowed to sign one Wildcard player, who may be either South African or international, and whose fee is exempt from the team’s salary cap.
This year’s auction introduces a record-high salary cap of USD 2.3 million per team, up from USD 1.9 million in the inaugural season, making SA20 the most lucrative T20 franchise league outside India.
In a first for SA20, the Right to Match (RTM) Card has been introduced, allowing teams to reclaim players they had in Season 3 by matching the highest bid during the auction. The number of RTM cards available will depend on how many South African players a franchise retains before the auction.
Stephen Cook, Head of Cricket Operations at SA20, shared his excitement:
“With nearly 60% of player slots available and mechanisms like RTM cards and Wildcards in play, we’re expecting the most thrilling auction yet. Teams have more flexibility than ever before to shape dynamic and competitive squads.”
The Rookie Draft has now been replaced with a new directive: teams must include at least two Under-23 players in their final squads, reinforcing SA20’s ongoing support for youth development in South African cricket.
Renowned auctioneer Richard Madley returns to the podium to lead the live bidding process, which will be broadcast on SuperSport, the SA20 YouTube Channel, and various official social media handles.
As the auction draws near, excitement builds for what promises to be a pivotal moment ahead of SA20 Season 4, set to kick off on 26 December 2025, during the festive season slot.
