Faf du Plessis among big names missing from SA20 pre-auction lists

Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape have strengthened their already powerful squad by signing Mitchell Marsh, who is set to make his SA20 debut. The Australian T20 captain joins a group that already includes Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje and Adam Milne.

The Sunrisers have dominated the competition since its launch, winning three of the first four SA20 titles. Their latest squad announcement suggests they are preparing another strong title defence when the new season begins on January 17, 2027.

Among the biggest talking points is Joburg Super Kings’ decision not to retain Faf du Plessis. The former Proteas captain led the franchise through the first four seasons and has been one of its most recognisable figures. JSK have also moved on from Imran Tahir, Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger as they begin a new era under recently appointed head coach Albie Morkel.

Other major names missing from the retention and pre-signing lists include Rassie van der Dussen, Kieron Pollard and Trent Boult, all released by MI Cape Town.

Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals have already completed their 19-player squads, meaning they will not need to add players at the auction. The other four franchises still have places to fill, with Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town expected to be particularly active.

Pretoria Capitals have brought back Phil Salt and added Australian batter Matthew Short, while Paarl Royals will welcome Joe Root for another stint. Durban’s Super Giants have signed Sam Curran, adding him to a squad already featuring Aiden Markram, Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, Sunil Narine and Kane Williamson.

MI Cape Town have signed England allrounder Will Jacks, but their released list includes several experienced campaigners, suggesting they may look to reshape the squad at the auction.

SA20 League commissioner Graeme Smith said the calibre of the latest signings showed the competition’s growing appeal.

“Season 5 is shaping up to be our strongest yet. Bringing in a player of Mitchell Marsh’s calibre alongside the class of Joe Root, Sam Curran and Phil Salt shows the growing pull of our league on the global stage. What excites me most is seeing that quality sit alongside the prime of South Africa’s international and domestic stars,” said Smith, who added that the early squad stability pointed to a strong season ahead.

“The franchises head into the Auction with the majority of their squads already locked in, which speaks volumes about the stability and consistency we have built. This sets us up for a highly competitive Season 5.”

Season 5 will begin at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on January 17, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape launching their title defence against Pretoria Capitals. The final is scheduled for Newlands in Cape Town on February 21.

The defending champions have kept much of their core together, with Stubbs expected to continue as captain and Jansen again central to the bowling attack. Marsh is the marquee addition, while Bangladesh legspin-bowling allrounder Rishad Hossain also joins the squad.

Squad: James Coles, Lewis Gregory, Rishad Hossain, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Milne, Matthew Breetzke, Quinton de Kock, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell van Buuren, CJ King, JP King, Marco Jansen.

In: Rishad Hossain, Mitchell Marsh.

Out: Chris Wood, AM Ghazanfar, Tharindu Ratnayake, Beyers Swanepoel.

Last season’s runners-up have retained Dewald Brevis as a key part of their batting group and have strengthened further with Salt’s return and Short’s arrival. Young seamer Bayanda Majola is another new face.

Squad: Sherfane Rutherford, Phil Salt, Matthew Short, Connor Esterhuizen, Wihan Lubbe, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Bryce Parsons, Gideon Peters, Lizaad Williams, Codi Yusuf, Dewald Brevis, Bayanda Majola, Andre Russell.

In: Phil Salt, Matthew Short, Bayanda Majola.

Out: Jordan Cox, Shai Hope, Sibonelo Makhanya, Meeka-eel Prince, Will Smeed, Daniel Smith, Roston Chase, Junaid Dawood, Keith Dudgeon, Tymal Mills.

Paarl have finalised their squad, with Root returning after featuring for the franchise previously. The Royals also have a strong overseas group, including Gudakesh Motie, Sikandar Raza, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Squad: Daniel Lawrence, Gudakesh Motie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sikandar Raza, Thomas Rew, Asa Tribe, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Ottneil Baartman, Bjorn Fortuin, Rubin Hermann, Keagan Lion-Cachet, David Miller, Delano Potgieter, Kyle Verreynne, Hardus Viljoen, JJ Basson, Nqobani Mokoena, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Joe Root.

In: JJ Basson, Joe Root, Thomas Rew.

Out: Vishen Halambage, Okuhle Cele, Eshan Malinga, Nqabayomzi Peter, Waqar Salamkheil.

JSK are heading into a major rebuild after parting ways with du Plessis and Tahir. Holder’s arrival adds experience, but the franchise still has several places to fill before the season starts.

Squad: Leus du Plooy, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, James Vince, Matthew de Villiers, Donovan Ferreira, Dian Forrester, Duan Jansen, Rilee Rossouw, Janco Smit, Prenelan Subrayen, Jarren Bacher.

In: Leus du Plooy, Jason Holder.

Out: Rivaldo Moonsamy, Michael Pepper, Steve Stolk, Neil Timmers, James Vince, Faf du Plessis, Shubham Ranjane, Nandre Burger, Imran Tahir, Richard Gleeson, Reece Topley, Daniel Worrall, Wiaan Mulder.

Durban have made only limited changes and have already completed their squad. Curran is the major addition, joining a powerful group that includes Markram, Buttler, Klaasen, Livingstone, Narine and Williamson.

Squad: Jos Buttler, Devon Conway, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Sunil Narine, Kane Williamson, Marques Ackermann, David Bedingham, Eathan Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Daryn Dupavillon, Simon Harmer, Evan Jones, Aiden Markram, Kyle Simmonds, Kwena Maphaka, Andile Simelane, Heinrich Klaasen.

In: Sam Curran, Kyle Simmonds.

Out: Dayyaan Galiem, David Wiese, Noor Ahmad.

MI Cape Town appear set for significant changes after releasing several senior players. Jacks is their main addition so far, while Rabada, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks remain key names in the squad.

Squad: Will Jacks, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Corbin Bosch, Reeza Hendricks, Thomas Kaber, George Linde, Dane Piedt, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren, Tristan Luus, Kagiso Rabada.

In: Will Jacks.

Out: Rassie van der Dussen, Daniel Lategan, Tom Moores, Karim Janat, Kieron Pollard, Dwaine Pretorius, Jacques Snyman, Trent Boult.