Every franchise auction claims to be “unpredictable.” SA20 2025 actually delivered on it. In a room where reputations usually carry price tags, this auction flipped the hierarchy. Dewald Brevis still closer to promise than permanence, became the most expensive buy in league history at R16.5 million, while proven global stars like James Anderson, Shakib Al Hasan, Jason Roy, Imran Tahir, and Temba Bavuma walked away unsold.
That contrast tells the real story. SA20 franchises are no longer buying CVs; they’re buying role clarity, age profiles, and tactical flexibility. Aiden Markram crossing R14 million and becoming the first player to breach the R10 million mark before Brevis reset the ceiling confirmed that local adaptability now rivals international pedigree.
MI Cape Town: A Squad Built on Control and Chaos
MI Cape Town
MI Cape Town’s full squad reflects a franchise obsessed with balance through dominance. Retentions of Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, and Corbin Bosch, plus a wild card, Kagiso Rabada, already ensured elite new-ball and middle-overs control. Add pre-signing Nicholas Pooran, and the core screams firepower.
At the auction, MI Cape Town doubled down on reliability: Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Tristan Luus, Jason Smith, Tom Moores, Dane Piedt, Tian van Vuuren, Dan Lategan, Tabraiz Shamsi, Karim Janat, and Jacques Snyman.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Pace, Power, and Controlled Aggression
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
The defending champions’ blueprint hasn’t changed; they’ve just reinforced it. Tristan Stubbs retained, Marco Jansen as a wild card, and pre-signings like Jonny Bairstow, Adam Milne, and AM Ghazanfar ensure explosive intent up top and hostile pace.
Their auction picks Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Anrich Nortje, Senuran Muthusamy, Patrick Kruger, Lutho Sipamla, Mitchell van Buuren, Jordan Hermann, Beyers Swanepoel, James Coles, Chris Wood, Lewis Gregory, CJ King, JP King add depth without diluting identity.
Joburg Super Kings: Experience as a Strategic Weapon
Joburg Super Kings
Joburg Super Kings went old-school and unapologetically so. Retaining Faf du Plessis and wild-carding Donovan Ferreira set the tone. Pre-signings James Vince, Akeal Hosein, and Richard Gleeson added a method.
At auction, JSK leaned into versatility: Wiaan Mulder, Nandre Burger, Prenalen Subrayen, Dian Forrester, Steve Stolk, Janco Smit, Neil Timmers, Shubham Ranjane, Brandon King, Rilee Rossouw, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Imran Tahir, Reece Topley.
Pretoria Capitals: The Brevis Gamble and Russell Insurance
Pretoria Capitals
Pretoria Capitals didn’t just win the auction; they hijacked it. Retained Will Jacks, wild card Andre Russell, pre-signed Sherfane Rutherford, and then detonated the room with Dewald Brevis at R16.5 million.
Their full squad now includes Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Craig Overton, Saqib Mahmood, Codi Yusuf, Connor Esterhuizen, Bryce Parsons, Gideon Peters, Junaid Dawood, Will Smeed, Meeka-eel Prince, Bayanda Majola, Wihan Lubbe, Sibonelo Makhanya, and Brevis.
Paarl Royals: Quiet Depth Over Auction Theatre
Paarl Royals
Paarl Royals played chess while others played poker. Retaining David Miller, Bjorn Fortuin, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, adding wild card Rubin Hermann, and pre-signing Sikandar Raza and Mujeeb Ur Rahman already gave them balance.
Auction additions Ottneil Baartman, Gudakesh Motie, Delano Potgieter, Kyle Verreynne, Keagan Lion-Cachet, Asa Tribe, Hardus Viljoen, Jacob Johannes Basson, Dan Lawrence, Eshan Malinga, Nqobani Mokoena, Vishen Halambage, Nqaba Peter scream squad depth.
Durban Super Giants: Star Power with Tactical Purpose
Durban Super Giants
Durban Super Giants have possibly created the most intimidating top order of batsmen. Not only do they retain Noor Ahmad, but they also select Heinrich Klaasen as their wildcard pick, Heinrich Klaasen. They also pre-signed both Jos Buttler and Sunil Narine, which has to be unfair on the other teams in this competition.
And then there was Aiden Markram ($14 million) and his supporting cast of Devon Conway, Gerald Coetzee, David Bedingham, Tony De Zorzi, Taijul Islam, David Wiese, Daryn Dupavillon, along with some of the up-and-coming players such as Kwena Maphaka and Andile Simelane.
This SA20 auction wasn’t chaotic; it was evolutionary. Teams didn’t lose faith in experience; they just refused to overpay for it. From Pretoria’s Brevis bet to Durban’s ruthless balance, every squad tells a story of clarity over comfort.
Key Takeaway
SA20 teams aren’t buying stars anymore; they’re buying systems that win tournaments.
FAQs
1. What made Dewald Brevis the most expensive SA20 player?
Age, upside, and long-term franchise value outweighed current consistency.
2. Why did big names go unsold initially?
Teams prioritized role fit, fitness cycles, and budget efficiency.
3. How strong are these squads compared to previous seasons?
More balanced, younger, and tactically flexible than ever before.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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