The countdown to the fifth season of Betway SA20 has officially begun after all six franchises confirmed their retained and pre-signed players ahead of the 7 October player auction.

While the auction will still complete each squad, there are only 19 positions left across the league, with most franchises opting to retain the core of the teams that have made the competition one of the strongest T20 leagues in the world.

The biggest new name is former Australia captain Mitchell Marsh, who is set to make his Betway SA20 debut with Sunrisers Eastern Cape. The powerful all-rounder joins a side that already features Quinton de Kock and Marco Jansen as the three-time champions look to defend their title once again.

Another exciting Australian arrival is Matthew Short, who has signed with the Pretoria Capitals, while England stars Phil Salt, Joe Root, Sam Curran, Will Jacks and James Vince all return to South Africa for Season 5.

Paarl Royals and Durban’s Super Giants have already completed their full 19-player squads before the auction, while Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town still have six places to fill.

The announcement also highlights the continued strength of South African cricket, with Proteas stars including Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, Quinton de Kock and Lungi Ngidi all confirmed for the new season.

According to Betway SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith, the balance between international stars and South African talent continues to drive the competition forward.

“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.”

The remaining players will be selected at the Betway SA20 Auction on 7 October, with several franchises still looking to strengthen key positions before the tournament begins on 17 January 2027 at St George’s Park.

Joburg Super Kings 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
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Jarren Backher (U23)
  • Vacant (U23)
  • Wildcard available

MI Cape Town squad

  • Will Jacks ✈️
  • Rashid Khan ✈️
  • Nicholas Pooran ✈️
  • Corbin Bosch
  • Reeza Hendricks
  • Thomas Kaber
  • George Linde
  • Dane Piedt
  • Ryan Rickelton
  • Jason Smith
  • Tiaan van Vuuren
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Tristan Luus (U23)
  • Vacant (U23)
  • Kagiso Rabada (Wildcard)

Durban’s Super Giants squad

  • Jos Buttler ✈️
  • Devon Conway ✈️
  • Sam Curran ✈️
  • Liam Livingstone ✈️
  • Sunil Narine ✈️
  • Kane Williamson ✈️
  • Marques Ackerman
  • David Bedingham
  • Eathan Bosch
  • Gerald Coetzee
  • Tony de Zorzi
  • Daryn Dupavillon
  • Simon Harmer
  • Evan Jones
  • Aiden Markram
  • Kyle Simmonds
  • Kwena Maphaka (U23)
  • Andile Simelane (U23)
  • Heinrich Klaasen (Wildcard)

Paarl Royals 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
  • Jacob Johannes Basson (U23)
  • Nqobani Mokoena (U23)
  • Lhuan-dre Pretorius (U23)
  • Joe Root (Wildcard & Overseas)

Pretoria Capitals squad

  • Sherfane Rutherford ✈️
  • Phil Salt ✈️
  • Matthew Short ✈️
  • Connor Esterhuizen
  • Wihan Lubbe
  • Keshav Maharaj
  • Lungi Ngidi
  • Bryce Parsons
  • Gideon Peters
  • Lizaad Williams
  • Codi Yusuf
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • Dewald Brevis (U23)
  • Bayanda Majola (U23)
  • Andre Russell (Wildcard)

Sunrisers Eastern Cape 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
  • Vacant
  • Vacant
  • CJ King (U23)
  • JP King (U23)
  • Marco Jansen (Wildcard)

The Betway SA20 Auction takes place on 7 October, with only 19 squad places still available across the six franchises. The tournament gets underway on 17 January 2027, with the opening match seeing defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape host Pretoria Capitals at St George’s Park before the competition concludes with the final at Newlands on 21 February 2027.