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The SA20 Auction, set for September 9, 2025, in Johannesburg, promises one of the most competitive bidding wars in the league’s short but exciting history. With 541 players in the auction pool and only 84 slots available across six franchises, the upcoming draft will shape the squads for Season 4 of South Africa’s premier T20 competition.
SA20: Squad rules and auction format
The league has introduced updated squad regulations for Season 4:
- Squad size: 19 players, including one wildcard signing (not under the salary cap).
- Overseas quota: Maximum 7 per squad.
- Local requirement: Minimum 11 South African players.
- U23 rule: At least 2 under-23 cricketers per team.
- Right to Match (RTM) Card: Newly introduced, allowing teams to re-sign previously released players, subject to retention limits.
With these rules in play, franchises will have to strike a balance between local depth and global firepower.
SA20 Auction Season 4: Pre-signings and retentions
Each team was allowed to retain or pre-sign up to six players (maximum three domestic and three overseas) before the auction. Here’s a look at notable moves:
MI Cape Town retained George Linde, Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch (South Africans), along with overseas stars Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan and Trent Boult. Their wildcard slot went to Kagiso Rabada, giving them a formidable bowling attack.
Kavya Maran’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape made a bold call by releasing their two-time title-winning skipper Aiden Markram. They instead retained Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen, while securing overseas signings Jonny Bairstow and Adam Milne.
SA20 Auction Season 4: List of players to go under the hammer
There's some 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 going under the hammer at #BetwaySA20Auction 🔨
📆 Tuesday, 9 September 2025
📺 Live on @SuperSportTV from 13h30, @JioHotstar in India (17h00) and @SkySports in the UK (12h30) pic.twitter.com/4iEUsZLVuU— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) September 8, 2025
Also READ: Graeme Smith explains why there is no Indian player in SA20 Auction pool
SA20 Auction Season 4: Purse details and team slots
| Team | Purse Remaining | Slots Left |
|---|---|---|
| Durban’s Super Giants | R 29.50 million (INR 14.79 crore) | 15 |
| Joburg Super Kings | R 21.50 million (INR 10.78 crore) | 14 |
| MI Cape Town | R 11.50 million (INR 5.76 crore) | 12 |
| Paarl Royals | R 14.50 million (INR 7.27 crore) | 13 |
| Pretoria Capitals | R 32.50 million (INR 16.30 crore) | 16 |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | R 21.50 million (INR 10.78 crore) | 14 |
