David Miller among 10 South African stars retained by Paarl Royals ahead of SA20 2025

Paarl Royals have retained a number of players ahead of the upcoming edition of the SA20. Skipper David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, and Andile Phehlukwayo are among the list of ten South African players retained by the franchise for the upcoming edition of the SA20 in 2025.

Apart from the trio of David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, and Andile Phehlukwayo, Paarl Royals, ahead of the SA20 2025 auction, have also retained Kwena Maphaka and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who were the two rookie signings from the 2024 edition of the league.

Paarl Royals have released Dane Vilas, Evan Jones, Wihan Lubbe and Ferisco Adams, making the space in the squad ahead of the auction. On the other hand, they also brought in all-rounder Dayyaan Galiem, who has been traded in from Joburg Super Kings with leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi.

While talking about the retentions and releasing players ahead of the SA20 2025, Paarl Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara stated that they are delighted to go into an auction with a strong core. He highlighted after disappointing last season, it was important for them to make some changes. Speaking in a press release, he explained:

"We are delighted to go into the upcoming auction with a very formidable core of capped and uncapped South African players. After the disappointment of last season where we faltered towards the latter stages of the tournament, it was important to re-look at the squad and make certain changes."

Paarl Royals reached the Qualifier of the last edition of SA20. They were looking like one of the strong favorites to win the title but suffered five straight losses, including a nine-wicket thumping in the Eliminator against Johannesburg Super Kings.

The final squad of the Paarl Royals including overseas signings and released players, will be confirmed after the auction. The auction for the tournament is all set to take place in September to fill the remaining spots following retention and overseas signings, which can be announced by August 31. The SA20 2025 is scheduled to take place from January 9 to February 8.

Here's the Paarl Royals squad for the SA20 2025:

David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo, Mitchell van Buuren, Codi Yusuf, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dayyaan Galiem (Traded in)

Mumbai Indians Cape Town retain Kagiso Rabada and Dewald Brevis

Mumbai Indians Cape Town also made a few important retentions. They held on to Kagiso Rabada and Dewald Brevis via pre-signings. Apart from this, they also retained Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Delano Potgieter, Thomas Kaber, and Connor Esterhuizen.

Mumbai Indians Cape Town also released Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Grant Roelofsen, and Neelan van Heerden ahead of the upcoming edition of the SA20.

Releasing the official statement about releasing the players, the franchise wished the best to all the players and thanked them for their contributions. The statement read:

"MI Cape Town would like to thank [these] players for their support and contribution over the last 2 seasons and wish them the very best."