The wait is almost over. Tomorrow, Johannesburg will host the Betway SA20 Season 4 Player Auction, with R131 million (US$7.37 million) on the table to fill 84 squad spots across six franchises.
It promises to be the most dramatic auction in the league’s short history, headlined by Dewald Brevis, the 22-year-old batting sensation widely tipped to become South African cricket’s first-ever R10 million player.
With global stars, local heroes, and game-changing young talent all up for grabs, this year’s auction will be as much about strategy as it is about spending power.
Brevis the Headline Act
Dewald Brevis has long been compared to AB de Villiers, but in 2025 he’s started to carve out a legacy of his own. His performances this year — including 180 runs in three T20I innings against Australia at a strike rate of 204.55 — have confirmed his status as South African cricket’s brightest young star.
Tomorrow’s auction will centre around where Brevis lands.
- Joburg Super Kings (JSK) have a direct pipeline to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, making Brevis a natural fit. Signing him would cement those ties and lock in CSK’s long-term control of a global superstar.
- Pretoria Capitals (PC), however, hold the biggest budget — a massive R32.5 million — and are rebooting under legendary coach Sourav Ganguly and assistant Shaun Pollock.
If it comes down to a straight bidding war for Brevis, big bank takes little bank, and that favours Pretoria. For now, the JSK vs PC rivalry exists solely in the context of securing Brevis — a battle that will likely define tomorrow’s headlines.
Aiden Markram Back on the Market
While Brevis dominates the narrative, Aiden Markram is another marquee free agent drawing attention.
The Proteas T20I captain decided against being retained by Sunrisers Eastern Cape, a bold move that puts him at the centre of tomorrow’s action. Markram offers more than just batting: he brings leadership, tactical acumen, and the ability to anchor an innings or accelerate when needed.
Franchises like Pretoria, with cash to burn, and Paarl Royals, who have invested heavily in youth, could see Markram as the perfect figure to steady their line-ups. His auction journey will be one of the most closely watched of the day.
James Anderson Among International Wildcards
Among the 241 overseas players in the pool, one name towers above the rest — James Anderson.
The 43-year-old England legend is making a surprise return to franchise T20 cricket. After an 11-year absence, Anderson featured for Lancashire in the T20 Blast earlier this year and played three matches for Manchester Originals in The Hundred. Now, he’s ready to test himself on South African pitches.
Anderson is part of a strong English contingent, including Moeen Ali, Alex Hales, and Tom Abell, last season’s Player of the Match in the final. While Anderson won’t be expected to bowl four overs every game, his experience and skill with the new ball could prove invaluable.
Teams like Durban’s Super Giants or Sunrisers Eastern Cape might see him as a specialist weapon — two overs up front, two at the death, and a wealth of tactical insight for younger bowlers. Even if his on-field role is limited, his presence would generate immense buzz and ticket sales.
Global Pool, Global Stakes
This year’s auction has attracted players from every corner of the cricketing world:
- Bangladesh: 15 players, including superstars Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.
- Australia: Just two, D’Arcy Short and Peter Hatzoglou, with the BBL schedule clashing with the SA20 window.
- West Indies: 28 players, bolstering the league’s reputation for explosive hitting.
- Sri Lanka: 24 players in the mix.
- Nepal: One — the versatile Dipendra Singh Airee.
In total, 241 overseas players will compete for a maximum of 25 available slots, while 308 South Africans will fight for the remaining 59.
Every team must also include two Under-23 South African players in their 19-member squads, with Brevis, Kwena Maphaka, and Andile Simelane among the standout names in that category.
The R10 Million Question
The current record for the most expensive SA20 player sits at R9.2 million, paid by Sunrisers Eastern Cape for Tristan Stubbs in the league’s inaugural season.
League commissioner Graeme Smith believes tomorrow will see that record shattered:
“There are some really exciting players at the top of the list,” Smith said this week.
“I think absolutely, R10 million will be broken for the first time.”
Given the hype surrounding Brevis and the presence of Markram in the pool, it’s entirely possible multiple players cross that historic threshold.
Financial Breakdown Heading Into Auction Day
Every franchise started with a R41 million salary cap, the second-highest in the world behind the IPL. Here’s how the books look going into tomorrow’s showdown:
| Team | Remaining Purse | Player Slots | Overseas Slots | U23 Slots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pretoria Capitals | R32.5M ($1.86M) | 16 | 4 | 2 |
| Durban’s Super Giants | R29.5M ($1.66M) | 15 | 4 | 2 |
| Joburg Super Kings | R21.5M ($1.2M) | 14 | 4 | 2 |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | R21.5M ($1.2M) | 14 | 4 | 2 |
| Paarl Royals | R14.5M ($0.82M) | 13 | 5 | 1 |
| MI Cape Town | R11.5M ($0.65M) | 12 | 4 | 2 |
Pretoria holds the most leverage with 13 open slots, including five overseas spots. MI Cape Town, reigning champions, will have to be more strategic, with just R11.5 million to fill 12 places.
Tomorrow’s Drama
This auction has everything:
- A battle between Pretoria and Joburg for Brevis, with millions on the line.
- Aiden Markram testing his market value as a free agent.
- A global cast featuring everyone from Shakib Al Hasan to James Anderson.
- Young stars like Maphaka and Simelane aiming to launch their careers under the new U23 rule.
For players, tomorrow could change lives forever. For teams, it’s the foundation of a championship run. And for fans, it’s pure theatre — a spectacle that shows how far South African cricket has come in the franchise era.
At 13h30 SAST, the gavel drops. Someone will walk away as South Africa’s first R10 million man. Whether it’s Dewald Brevis or another star, one thing is certain: the future of SA cricket will be shaped tomorrow.
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