Australia’s T20 captain Mitchell Marsh has joined Sunrisers Eastern Cape ahead of SA20 Season 5, marking his first appearance in the tournament. England Test captain Joe Root returns to Paarl Royals as a wildcard pick, while Joburg Super Kings have released long-serving captain Faf du Plessis after four seasons at the helm.
The six franchises have locked in their retained players and pre-auction signings, with Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals already completing full 19-player squads. Nineteen slots remain open across the other four teams ahead of the auction on October 7.
Marsh Strengthens Sunrisers Batting Line-up
Marsh joins three-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape and adds depth to a batting unit that already includes Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Jordan Hermann and captain Tristan Stubbs. He currently plays for the Sunrisers franchise in The Hundred, and this SA20 stint extends that association into South Africa’s premier T20 league.
Durban’s Super Giants, meanwhile, have brought back England all-rounder Sam Curran, who returns after two seasons with MI Cape Town. Curran will play alongside compatriot Jos Buttler, joining a squad that features Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and Sunil Narine. Root’s arrival at Paarl Royals comes as a wildcard entry, and the franchise has also signed Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai to round out its roster.
Pretoria Capitals, last season’s runners-up, have added England batter Phil Salt and Australia’s Matthew Short to strengthen their top order. Salt and Short currently open together for Welsh Fire in The Hundred, and their arrival gives the Capitals extra firepower alongside Sherfane Rutherford, Connor Esterhuizen, Dewald Brevis and Andre Russell. England all-rounder Will Jacks has moved from Pretoria Capitals to MI Cape Town, his third stint with an MI-owned franchise after previous spells with Mumbai Indians and MI London.
Du Plessis Exit Marks Major Shift at Super Kings
Joburg Super Kings have parted ways with du Plessis and signed West Indies pacer Jason Holder in his place. Du Plessis led the franchise across the last four seasons, and his release counts among the tournament’s most significant off-season moves. Sunrisers Eastern Cape have also released Jonny Bairstow, while MI Cape Town have moved on from Trent Boult, Rassie van der Dussen and Kieron Pollard. Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger, both released by Super Kings, will re-enter the auction pool as well.
SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith called Season 5 the league’s strongest yet, pointing to the calibre of overseas arrivals alongside South Africa’s own international and domestic talent. He noted that most franchises have already secured the bulk of their squads, reflecting the stability the league has built over four seasons.
Auction Set to Fill Remaining Squad Gaps
Super Kings and MI Cape Town enter the auction with the most vacancies, needing seven and six additions respectively, while Pretoria Capitals have five spots left to fill. All six teams have used up their overseas pre-signing quota, though Super Kings retain the option of a wildcard signing.
SA20 Season 5 opens on January 17, with defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape facing Pretoria Capitals at St George’s Park in a repeat of last season’s final. The tournament concludes with the final at Newlands on February 21.
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