After an exciting test home summer that saw the Proteas win all four of its test matches, South African cricket fans will turn their attention to the 3rd edition of the SA20, which begins on Thursday, 9 January 2025 and concludes on Saturday, 8 February 2025. This franchise T20 league is South Africa’s equivalent of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Big Bash and features some of South Africa's and the world's biggest cricketing names.
Check out our preview of the 2025 SA20 below:
Format
There are 6 local teams involved in the SA20, and all of these teams are owned by IPL franchises, resulting in the names of the local teams combining with the names of IPL teams. These teams are each allowed to have a maximum of 4 international players in their side for any match.
The six SA20 teams are:
- Sunrisers Eastern Cape
- Durban's Super Giants
- Joburg Super Kings
- MI Cape Town
- Paarl Royals
- Pretoria Capitals
The 6 teams will play each other twice in the group stage, and the top four teams will progress to the play-off stage. The 1st-ranked qualifier will play the 2nd-ranked qualifier, with the winner of that match advancing to the final. The 3rd-ranked qualifier will then play the 4th-ranked qualifier, with the loser of that match being eliminated. The winner of the eliminator will then play the loser of the first Qualifier match, with the winner advancing to the final.
Fixtures
League Stage
Match 1
9 January 2025, 17:30: Sunrisers Eastern Cape v MI Cape Town, St George's Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha
Match 2
10 January 2025, 17:30: Durban's Super Giants v Pretoria Capitals, Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
Match 3
11 January 2025, 13:00: Paarl Royals v Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Boland Park, Paarl
Match 4
11 January 2025, 17:30: Joburg Super Kings v MI Cape Town, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Match 5
12 January 2025, 15:30: Pretoria Capitals v Durban's Super Giants, Centurion Park, Centurion
Match 6
13 January 2025, 17:30: MI Cape Town v Paarl Royals Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Match 7
14 January 2025, 13:00: Pretoria Capitals v Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Centurion Park, Centurion
Match 8
14 January 2025, 17:30: Durban's Super Giants v Joburg Super Kings, Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
Match 9
15 January 2025, 17:30: Paarl Royals v MI Cape Town, Boland Park, Paarl
Match 10
16 January 2025, 17:30: Joburg Super Kings v Pretoria Capitals, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Match 11
17 January 2025, 17:30: Durban's Super Giants v Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
Match 12
18 January 2025, 13:00: Pretoria Capitals v Paarl Royals, Centurion Park, Centurion
Match 13
18 January 2025, 17:30: MI Cape Town v Joburg Super Kings, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Match 14
19 January 2025, 15:30: Sunrisers Eastern Cape v Durban's Super Giants, St George's Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha
Match 15
20 January 2025, 17:30: Paarl Royals v Joburg Super Kings, Boland Park, Paarl
Match 16
21 January 2025, 17:30: Durban's Super Giants v MI Cape Town, Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
Match 17
22 January 2025, 17:30: Sunrisers Eastern Cape v Pretoria Capitals, St George's Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha
Match 18
23 January 2025, 17:30 Durban's Super Giants v Paarl Royals, Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
Match 19
24 January 2025, 17:30: Sunrisers Eastern Cape v Joburg Super Kings, St George's Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha
Match 20
25 January 2025,13:00: MI Cape Town v Durban's Super Giants, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Match 21
25 January 2025, 17:30: Paarl Royals v Pretoria Capitals, Boland Park, Paarl
Match 22
26 January 2025, 15:30: Joburg Super Kings v Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Match 23
27 January 2025, 17:30: Paarl Royal Durban's Super Giants, Boland Park, Paarl
Match 24
28 January 2025, 17:30: Pretoria Capitals v Joburg Super Kings, Centurion Park, Centurion
Match 25
29 January 2025, 17:30: MI Cape Town v Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Match 26
30 January 2025, 17:30: Joburg Super Kings v Paarl Royals Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Match 27
31 January 2025, 17:30: Pretoria Capitals v MI Cape Town, Centurion Park, Centurion
Match 28
1 February 2025, 13:00: Sunrisers Eastern Cape v Paarl Royals, St George's Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha
Match 29
1 February 2025, 17:30: Joburg Super Kings v Durban's Super Giants, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Match 30
2 February 2025, 15:30: MI Cape Town v Pretoria Capitals, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Play-offs
Qualifier 1
4 February 2025, 17:30: 1st placed team v 2nd placed team, St George's Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha
Eliminator
5 February 2025, 17:30: 3rd placed team v 4th placed team, Centurion Park, Centurion
Qualifier 2
6 February 2025, 17:30: Loser of Qualifier 1 v Winner of Eliminator, Centurion Park, Centurion
Final
8 February 2025, 17:30: Final - Winner of Qualifier 1 v Winner of Qualifier 2, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Teams Preview
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first 2 editions of the SA20 and will kick off the tournament when it hosts MI Cape Town in Gqeberha under the leadership of coach Adrian Birrell. The Sunriser's experience in being the only side to win the tournament will stand them in good stead, and the other teams will undoubtedly target matches against the Sunrisers,
Notable Local Players
Big things will be expected of the team’s captain and Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram, particularly after his stellar performances in previous tournaments. Much will also be expected of the other Proteas players in the squad, including Marco Jansen (allrounder,) Patrick Kruger (allrounder), Andile Simelane (allrounder), David Bedingham (batter), Simar Harmer (offspinner) and Tristan Stubbs (wicketkeeper-batter).
Notable International Players
England opener Zak Crawley is the biggest international name in the Sunrisers side and will be expected to provide great attacking impetus at the top of the order. The other international players are less well known but are greatly experienced in t20 leagues, including England internationals Craig Overton (allrounder) Liam Dawson (left-arm spinner) Richard Gleeson (fast bowler), and uncapped allrounder Tom Abell. Netherlands international and former Proteas player) Roelof van der Merwe completes the international contingent with his left-arm spin and unconventional batting.
Durban’s Super Giants
Durban’s Super Giants enjoyed a great season in 2024, qualifying for the final but losing out to the Sunrisers. The team will hope to go one better this year, and with a host of exciting and explosive players in the squad, the team could very well taste glory this year. Legendary Proteas allrounder Lance Klusener will coach the side while Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj will captain.
Notable Local Players
The Super Giants’ side is stacked with current and former Proteas players, including Matthew Breetzke (Batter), Junior Dala (fast bowler), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper-batter), Heinrich Klassen (wicketkeeper-batter), Keshav Maharaj (left-arm spinner), Wiaan Mulder (allrounder), Dwaine Pretorius (allrounder), Jason Smith (allrounder) and Jon-Jon Smuts (allrounder). Maharaj will captain the team.
Notable International Players
The most high-profile names in the Super Giants squad are New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (Batter) England’s Chris Woakes (allrounder) and Australia’s Marcus Stoinis (allrounder). Other exciting international names include the return of Afghanistan players Noor Ahmad(left-arm spinner) and Naveen-ul-Haq Marid (fast bowler), while the Windies' new fast bowling sensation Shamar Joseph should keep spectators glued to their seats.
Joburg Super Kings
Joburg Super Kings enjoyed two solid SA20 tournaments in 2023 and 2024, reaching the semifinals twice despite slow starts on both occasions. Coach Stephen Fleming (former New Zealand captain) and captain Faf du Plessis will hope for more consistency from the team in 2025, as they strategise to go the whole way and capture the tournament.
Notable Local Players
There is a nice mix of current and former Protas players among the King’s local contingent, including Gerald Coetzee (fast bowler), Donovan Ferreira (wicketkeeper-batter), Wihan Lubbe (batter), Beuran Hendricks (fast bowler), Tabraiz Shamsi (left arm wrist spinner), Imran Tahir (leg spinner) Hardus Viljoen (fast bowler), and former Proteas captain Faf Du Plessis (batter).
Notable International Players
The biggest stars in the lineup among international players are New Zealand batter Devon Conway (SA born) and Doug Bracewell (fast bowler) as well as England’s Moeen Ali (allrounder) and Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper-batter). Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana fast bowler) & Maheesh Theekshana (offspinner), England’s Leus du Plooy (batter and SA-born) and Namibia’s David Wiese (allrounder and former Proteas player) will add further variety and experience to the team.
MI Cape Town
MI Cape Town underperformed badly in the first two SA20s, especially relative to the amount of talent that the team has enjoyed. The Cape Town side will once again have a strong team, with many star players returning and new additions providing even more x-factor. Afghanistan Leg Spinner Rashid Khan returns again as captain while former Proteas spinner Robin Peterson will serve as the coach of the team.
Notable Local Players
Proteas players both past and present are overflowing in the team, including Corbin Bosch (allrounder), Reeza Hendricks (batter), Dewald Brewis (batter), Colin Ingram (batter)., George Linde (allrounder), Dane Piedt (offspinner), Kagiso Rabada (fast bowler), Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper-batter). and Rassie van der Dussen (batter).
Notable International Players
Undoubtedly, the most high-profile name in the MI Cape Town team is England test captain Ben Stokes (allrounder), and fans will hope that he can deliver with his explosive batting and match-changing bowling. Rashid Khan will offer further mystery and variety, while the other internationals will also hope to make a significant contribution, including England’s Chris Benjamin ((wicketkeeper-batter and SA-born), New Zealand’s Trent Boult (fast bowler), Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai (allrounder), and Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara (fast bowler).
Paarl Royals
The Paarl Royals has threatened to dominate in the first two SA20s but hasn’t really fulfilled its promise. Captain David Miller (Proteas batter) and coach Trevor Penney (Zimbabwe) will aim to ensure that the team imposes itself on the 3rd edition of the SA20.
Notable Local Players
The Royals are not short of local star power, with several current and past proteas players as well as promising domestic players. The Proteas players include Bjorn Fortuin, Dayyaan Galiem, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngiid, Nqaba Peter and Andile Phehlukwayo
Notable International Players
England’s start batter Joe Root is the most headline-catching name of the Royals’ overseas contingent. While retired Indian keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik should be a handy addition, the other international players are less well-known and include England’s Sam Hain (batter), Sri Lanka’s Eshan Malinga (fast bowler), Dunith Wellalage (left-arm spinner) and Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman (offspinner).
Pretoria Capitals
The Pretoria Capitals has flattered to deceive in the SA20. After being beaten in the 2023 final by the Sunrisers, despite being favourites, the Capitals failed to make the final in 20224. Jonathan Trott (former England batter, SA-born) will aim to taste glory on his debut as a coach in the Sa20, while new captain Rilee Rossouw will want to ensure that the team live up to its potential.
Notable Local Players
The Pretoria Capitals are well stocked with former and current Proteas players, including Daryn Dupavillon (fast bowler) Senuran Muthusamy (allrounder), Anrich Nortje (fast bowler), Wayne Parnell (allrounder), Rilee Rossouw, and Kyle Verryeynne (wicketkeeper-batter). Additionally, the team includes veterans from past SA20 tournaments, including Eathan Bosch, Migael Pretorius and Kyle Simmonds.
Notable International Players
The Capitals is the lightest on international players in the SA20 and will rely heavily on England allrounder Will Jacks, who has proven to be invaluable in the past 2 campaigns. Other international players include England’s Liam Livingstone (allrounder), and Will Smeed (batter), Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper-batter) and New Zealand veteran Jimmy Neesham (allrounder).
Get Your SA20 Game On
While we don’t know who will win this year’s Sa20, make sure that you’re a winner regardless! Visit www.gbets.co.za and place bets (with great odds) on all the SA20 matches. Hit a 6 and Get Your Game On!