By Zainab Shafiq 
The SA20 season 4 player auction 2025 is expected to bring unprecedented changes to South Africa’s premier T20 tournament, with 63% of the player pool, 72 out of 108 slots, open for grabs. This marks the biggest player reshuffle in the league’s brief history, as franchises are limited to just six retentions or pre-signings. The buzz around the SA20 player auction 2025 is already building, with fans and franchises alike anticipating bold moves and fresh faces.
What sets SA20 season 4 player auction apart from previous editions?
Unlike previous editions, this season limits retentions to six players per team, opening the door to intense competition and potential surprises. Overseas player rules remain steady—each squad can include up to seven foreign cricketers—but teams must field at least 11 South Africans. A notable change includes the scrapping of the rookie draft. Instead, franchises are mandated to sign at least two under-23 players, pushing a youth-driven strategy.
The auction, set for September 9, will feature the use of Right to Match (RTM) cards, allowing teams to retain past players by matching winning bids. However, RTMs are conditional, depending on the number of South African players already retained. Additionally, a wildcard signing—exempt from the salary cap—gives teams an edge to target marquee names without financial penalties.
Lucrative salaries to make it an IPL-like league
The salary cap has been raised to R41 million (approx. US$2.31 million), placing SA20 second only to the IPL in terms of spending capacity. All six teams are IPL-owned, further fuelling global interest and IPL-South Africa synergy.
Due to a scheduling reshuffle, driven by the Proteas’ overseas tours and venue upgrades for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the SA20 player auction 2025 season will kick off early on Boxing Day and conclude by January 26. This compact schedule ensures SA20 retains visibility during South Africa’s prime cricket window despite calendar conflicts. It will return to its January–February window in 2027 and 2028.
Anas Ahmed 
Manvindar Singh