The SA20 2025-26 auction was one of the most intense and record-breaking events in the tournament’s short but exciting history. The bidding wars in Johannesburg saw franchises go all-in for South Africa’s brightest stars. The headline moment came when Dewald Brevis, also known as “Baby AB,” became the most expensive player in SA20 history, with Pretoria Capitals (PC) securing him for R16.5 million (INR 8.3 crore approx).
Just minutes earlier, Aiden Markram had set the record by being bought for R14 million by Durban’s Super Giants (DSG). This record, however, stood for only a few minutes before Brevis shattered it.
Dewald Brevis – The New Record Holder
Brevis’ auction was nothing short of dramatic. Joburg Super Kings (JSK) opened the bidding and pushed the price past R10 million before Paarl Royals exited. Pretoria Capitals then joined the race and eventually outbid JSK at R16.5 million. This single signing consumed more than half of PC’s available purse, showing how much they value Brevis’ explosive batting talent.
Why Brevis Deserved the Record
Brevis had an impressive run in IPL 2025 as a mid-season replacement for CSK, scoring 225 runs in six games at a strike rate of 180. He followed that up with a maiden T20I century for South Africa against Australia, striking at over 200 SR, making him one of the most sought-after young talents in world cricket.
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Top 5 Most Expensive Players in SA20 2025-26
The 2025-26 auction saw massive investments in South African talent. Here’s a look at the Top 5 most expensive players from this year’s auction:
| Rank | Player | Team | Price (Rand) | Price (INR approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dewald Brevis | Pretoria Capitals | R 16.5M | ₹ 8.30 Cr |
| 2 | Aiden Markram | Durban’s Super Giants | R 14M | ₹ 7 Cr |
| 3 | Wiaan Mulder | Joburg Super Kings | R 9M | ₹ 4.5 Cr |
| 4 | Gerald Coetzee | Durban’s Super Giants | R 7.4M | ₹ 3.7 Cr |
| 5 | Matthew Breetzke | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | R 6.1M | ₹ 3 Cr |
This top five highlights how franchises are focusing on homegrown talent, with all five being South Africans and key members of their national setup or future stars.
Other Notable Buys
- Lungi Ngidi (Pretoria Capitals) – R 2.3M
- Quinton de Kock (Sunrisers Eastern Cape) – R 2.4M
- Kwena Maphaka (Durban’s Super Giants) – R 2.3M
- Rassie van der Dussen (MI Cape Town) – R 5.2M
Right to Match (RTM) Drama
This auction also saw the strategic use of RTM cards, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape trying to retain Aiden Markram at R12.4M but eventually letting him go when DSG pushed the bid to R14M. Pretoria Capitals also used RTM for players like Lizaad Williams but focused their big guns on Brevis.
Investment in Youth – A Big Win for South African Cricket
Another major highlight was the record R22.8 million invested in Under-23 South African players, showing the league’s commitment to developing future stars. Players like Janco Smit, Bayanda Majola, and JJ Bason were handed opportunities to shine in Season 4.
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Conclusion
The SA20 2025-26 auction has set a new benchmark for player valuations, with Brevis’ record deal proving that South African franchises are ready to invest big in local talent. With Brevis, Markram, Mulder, and Coetzee among the most expensive signings, Season 4 promises high-octane cricket and a showcase of South Africa’s next generation of superstars.
