The SA20 2026 Player Auction is all set to be a major highlight in the global T20 cricket calendar. Scheduled for September 9, 2025, in Johannesburg, the auction features a massive shortlist of 541 players, making it one of the most competitive editions yet.
Here’s a complete guide to help you understand all the key details about the SA20 2026 auction.
SA20 Auction 2026 Date & Tournament Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Player Auction | 9 September 2025 |
| Tournament Start | 26 December 2025 |
| Tournament End | 25 January 2026 |
Total Players Shortlisted
- Total Registered Players: 800+
- Shortlisted Players: 541
- South African Players: 300
- Overseas Players: 241
- U-23 South African Players: 133
- Available Auction Slots: 84
- Overseas Slots: 25
- South African Slots: 59
Salary Cap & Team Purse
Each team has a salary cap of R41 million, the highest for any franchise T20 league outside India.
Purse Remaining by Team
| Franchise | Purse Remaining | Slots to Fill | Overseas Slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pretoria Capitals | R32.5 million | 13 | 5 |
| MI Cape Town | R11.5 million | 12 | 4 |
| Others | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Squad Composition Rules
- Total Squad Size: 19 players
- Regular Squad: 18 players
- Wildcard: 1 player (not counted under salary cap)
- Max Overseas Players: 7
- Min South African Players: 11
- U-23 SA Players (Mandatory): 2
- Wildcard Deadline: 21 December 2025 (already completed)
Confirmed Wildcard Players
| Team | Wildcard Player |
|---|---|
| Durban’s Super Giants | Heinrich Klaasen |
| Joburg Super Kings | Donovan Ferreira |
| MI Cape Town | Kagiso Rabada |
| Paarl Royals | Rubin Hermann |
| Pretoria Capitals | Andre Russell |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Marco Jansen |
What’s New in SA20 2026 Auction?
Right To Match (RTM) Card
- New Strategic Tool Introduced
- Teams can use RTM cards to re-sign players they had in Season 3.
- RTM usage depends on the number of pre-auction retentions.
Overseas Players to Watch
A star-studded list of international cricketers is part of the auction:
Notable Overseas Players
| Country | Players |
|---|---|
| England | James Anderson, Moeen Ali, Alex Hales, Tom Abell |
| Bangladesh | Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman |
| West Indies | 28 players including Andre Russell (Wildcard) |
| Sri Lanka | 24 players |
| Australia | D’Arcy Short, Peter Hatzoglou |
| Nepal | Dipendra Singh Airee |
- James Anderson (43): The legendary English pacer returns to franchise T20 after over a decade.
- Shakib Al Hasan: May become the first Bangladeshi to play in the SA20.
Indian Players: Why None Made It
Despite 13 Indian players registering, none were shortlisted for the final auction.
Registered Indian Players (Not Shortlisted)
| Name | Status |
|---|---|
| Piyush Chawla | Retired |
| Siddharth Kaul | Retired |
| Ankit Rajpoot | Retired |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | Retired but chose ILT20 |
Reason for exclusion:
Due to BCCI policy, active Indian cricketers are not allowed in overseas leagues. While the policy technically allows retired players, none of the Indian names made it into the final list.
Ashwin’s case:
Though eligible, Ashwin opted to enter the ILT20 auction instead due to a scheduling preference.
SA Talent in Focus
- Aiden Markram headlines the South African list after declining retention by Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
- Other top names: Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee.
South African domestic talent, especially those under 23, will be a key auction focus due to new squad composition requirements.
Strategy Insights
- Teams must carefully balance budget and squad needs.
- RTM cards, U23 quota, and overseas limits add strategic complexity.
- Expect bidding wars for in-form players with T20 and SA20 experience.
The SA20 2026 auction is shaping up to be the biggest and most strategic edition yet. With a rich blend of international stars, homegrown South African talent, and new tactical elements like the RTM card, fans can expect a thrilling auction day on 9 September 2025.
