Graeme Smith unveils October 1 as official date for the high-stakes SA20 2025 auction

SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith has expressed excitement about the exceptional talent joining Season 3 of South Africa’s premier T20 competition. Graeme Smith confirmed that the player auction for SA20 2025 will be held in Cape Town on October 1, with a total of 13 slots left to be filled.

The third edition of the SA20 will be played from January 9 to February 8, 2025. Six teams - Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Mumbai Indians Cape Town, Pretoria Capitals, Paarl Royals, Johannesburg Super Kings, and Durban Super Giants - will compete for the title in the upcoming T20 tournament in South Africa.

South Africa’s premier league will follow a double round-robin and playoff format with 34 matches. The Aiden Markram-led Sunrisers Eastern Cape defeated the Durban Super Giants in the final of the previous season. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape is the only team to have won the title in the T20 competition.

One Of The Tier 1 Franchise Leagues On Global Circuit - Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith highlighted that the SA20 has become a top-tier franchise league globally after the first two seasons. Smith noted that international stars such as Dinesh Karthik, Ben Stokes, and Kane Williamson will participate in the next season.

The former South African skipper praised the league's efforts in creating a world-class experience. He also expressed pride in both South Africa's international players and domestic talent, including many rookies.

“In the first two seasons, the world class cricket in front of capacity crowds has positioned SA20 as one of the Tier 1 franchise leagues on the global circuit. With international stars like Dinesh Karthik, Ben Stokes, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Trent Boult, Johnny Bairstow, Devon Conway, Zak Crawley, Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz committing to their respective SA20 teams, the hard work that the League and franchises have put in to create a world-class experience has paid off and we thank everyone involved for their monumental efforts,” said Graeme Smith.

“To have the calibre of international players joining local heroes like Aiden, KG and Heinrich sets up an explosive season. We are also incredibly proud of all the domestic players who have been retained by the teams, including the majority of the rookies who have been incorporated as fully-contracted players for Season 3.”

Each Franchise Must Select Their Season 3 Rookie

Following the conclusion of the pre-signing and retention window, each team will need to select 13 more players at the auction in Cape Town on October 1, 2024. Additionally, each franchise must select their Season 3 Rookie, and three teams still have a wildcard pick to announce before December 30.

Each team has 19 players, including one 'Rookie' and one 'Wildcard,' with a maximum of eight overseas players. Teams can field up to four overseas players and must include at least seven South Africans. These guidelines ensure a balanced blend of local and international talent in the T20 tournament.

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