SA20: The road to Betway SA20 Season 5 has officially begun with all six franchises revealing their retained players and pre-signed stars ahead of the Player Auction on October 7. While the majority of the squads have retained their core, several high-profile international signings and one massive retention surprise have already stolen the spotlight before a single ball has been bowled.
The biggest headline from the squad announcements is undoubtedly Joburg Super Kings deciding not to retain captain Faf du Plessis, who led the franchise in each of the first four editions of the tournament. JSK have also moved on from South African internationals Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger, signalling the beginning of a new era at the Wanderers. Instead, the franchise has strengthened its overseas contingent by signing West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder, who joins compatriot Akeal Hosein alongside returning English batter James Vince.
Season 5 has also attracted another wave of global superstars. Mitchell Marsh is set to make his SA20 debut with defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, while Joe Root returns to the Paarl Royals after his impressive stint in Season 3. Sam Curran has switched to Durban’s Super Giants, Will Jacks has joined defending champions MI Cape Town, while explosive England wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt returns to the Pretoria Capitals, reuniting with Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford.
Another major development is that Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals have already completed their full 19-player squads, meaning they will not require any further additions at the auction. In contrast, Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town will be among the busiest franchises during the October 7 auction, each needing to fill six remaining slots, while Pretoria Capitals still have five vacancies and Sunrisers Eastern Cape have two.
League Commissioner Graeme Smith hailed the quality of this year’s retained squads, stating that the arrival of players like Mitchell Marsh, Joe Root, Sam Curran and Phil Salt reflects the growing global appeal of the competition. Season 5 begins on January 17, 2027, at St George’s Park before culminating with the final at Newlands on February 21, 2027.
SA20 Season 5 Preliminary Squads (Pre-Auction)
Durban’s Super Giants (19/19)
Aiden Markram, Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen (Wildcard), Sam Curran, Sunil Narine, Liam Livingstone, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, David Bedingham, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Eathan Bosch, Daryn Dupavillon, Kyle Simmonds, Evan Jones, Marques Ackerman, Kwena Maphaka (U23), Andile Simelane (U23).
Joburg Super Kings (12/18)
Jason Holder, James Vince, Donovan Ferreira, Akeal Hosein, Rilee Rossouw, Leus du Plooy, Dian Forrester, Duan Jansen, Matthew de Villiers, Janco Smit, Prenelan Subrayen, Jarren Bacher (U23).
MI Cape Town (13/19)
Rashid Khan (Captain), Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, Nicholas Pooran, Kagiso Rabada (Wildcard), Reeza Hendricks, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Jason Smith, Dane Piedt, Thomas Kaber, Tristan Luus (U23), Tiaan van Vuuren.
Paarl Royals (19/19)
Joe Root (Wildcard), David Miller, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sikandar Raza, Gudakesh Motie, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ottneil Baartman, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (U23), Rubin Hermann (Season 4 Wildcard), Dan Lawrence, Thomas Rew, Asa Tribe, Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin, Hardus Viljoen, Kyle Verreynne, Keagan Lion-Cachet, JJ Basson (U23), Nqobani Mokoena (U23).
Pretoria Capitals (14/19)
Phil Salt, Matthew Short, Andre Russell (Wildcard), Sherfane Rutherford, Dewald Brevis (U23), Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Bryce Parsons, Connor Esterhuizen, Wihan Lubbe, Gideon Peters, Lizaad Williams, Codi Yusuf, Bayanda Majola (U23).
Sunrisers Eastern Cape (17/19)
Mitchell Marsh, Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen (Wildcard), Anrich Nortje, Rishad Hossain, Adam Milne, Matthew Breetzke, Mitchell van Buuren, Jordan Hermann, Lewis Gregory, James Coles, Patrick Kruger, Senuran Muthusamy, Lutho Sipamla, CJ King (U23), JP King (U23).
