The build-up to the much-anticipated SA20 Season 4 has officially begun, with the player auction scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9, in Johannesburg. This year’s auction features several exciting updates, including a record salary cap and new strategic tools for teams to bolster their squads.
At least 72 player slots will be available across the six franchises, representing around 60% of total squad spots. Each team is allowed to retain or pre-sign up to six players — a mix of three South African and three overseas players — ahead of the auction. The regular squad size remains at 18 players, consisting of a minimum of 11 local and a maximum of 7 overseas players.
One key change for Season 4 is the removal of the Rookie Draft. Instead, all teams must now include at least two Under-23 players in their final 19-man squads, further strengthening the league’s emphasis on nurturing young South African talent.
Another innovation introduced this year is the Right to Match (RTM) Card. For the first time in SA20 history, franchises can use RTM cards to retain a player from their previous squad by matching the highest bid made during the auction. The number of RTM cards each team can use will depend on how many South African players they retained before the auction.
Teams will also once again have the opportunity to sign one Wildcard player, either local or international. This Wildcard selection falls outside the standard salary cap and can be finalized post-auction.
Significantly, the Season 4 auction will feature the highest ever salary cap in the league’s history, with each franchise given a R41 million budget — up from R34 million in Season 1. This makes it the most lucrative T20 league outside of India in terms of squad spending.
Stephan Cook, Head of Cricket Operations for SA20, highlighted the scale and potential of this year’s event: “The Betway SA20 Season 4 Player Auction is setting up to be the most exciting yet. Mechanisms such as RTM cards, Wildcard players and an increased salary cap are sure to create interesting situations for teams and will allow them to strategically select their squads.”
The auction will once again be conducted by the renowned auctioneer Richard Madley, who returns to oversee proceedings for the fourth consecutive year.
Season 4 of SA20 is scheduled to begin on December 26, taking place during South Africa’s festive season, promising thrilling T20 action and fresh opportunities for both emerging and established cricketing stars.