By webdesk 
The countdown to one of the most exciting events in franchise cricket has begun. The fourth edition of the SA20 Player Auction is officially scheduled for September 9, 2025, in Johannesburg — and it’s bringing bigger stakes than ever before.
With a record salary cap of R41 million per franchise, the SA20 2025 Auction is poised to be the most competitive and cash-rich in the league’s history. A total of 72 player slots are open, promising intense bidding wars and a reshaping of team line-ups across the tournament.
The introduction of the Right to Match (RTM) card for the first time adds a strategic layer never seen before in the SA20. This allows franchises to buy back their previously released players by matching the winning bid, likely to create suspenseful moments on the auction floor.
Each team will retain the familiar squad structure — 18 players per side with a cap of 7 international stars and a minimum of 11 domestic talents. In addition to the regular signings, franchises are permitted to add a Wildcard player, either local or overseas, whose fee lies outside the salary cap. This Wildcard rule offers teams a tactical advantage to slot in a game-changer without budget limitations.
Before the auction, teams are allowed to lock in up to six players, with a maximum of three South Africans and three overseas names among them. That leaves plenty of room for surprises, as emerging domestic stars and unsold international talents seek to earn their shot in South Africa’s premier T20 showcase.
What makes this year even more significant is that SA20 now boasts the highest salary cap among all franchise leagues outside of India, solidifying its status as a serious destination for global cricket talent.
From seasoned internationals to rising local prospects, the 2025 SA20 Auction will shape the narrative of the upcoming season. With franchises eager to refine their squads and fans awaiting new team combinations, all signs point to a blockbuster auction day.
Get ready for the drama, the deals, and the declarations — SA20 Season 4 starts with the gavel in Johannesburg.
Tim Douglas 
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Anas Ahmed