Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has said that global cricket will reach unprecedented levels of competitiveness once Associate nations are given equal opportunities — and he believes the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL), starting 26 August, is a significant step toward that goal.

Du Plessis on Associate Nations and the 2026 T20 World Cup

Du Plessis, who will serve as co-owner and captain of the Rotterdam Dockers in the ETPL's first edition, pointed to the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup — held in India and Sri Lanka — as proof that Associate teams are ready to compete at the highest level. 'We all expected the Associate Nations to step up and challenge the bigger teams at some point. I was amazed to see it happen in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and it was definitely my highlight,' he said in a statement issued by the tournament on Wednesday.

He added that watching from home, he found himself backing the smaller nations throughout the tournament. 'I was hoping they would get through on so many occasions, right till the end. It was great to see, and I believe it is a stepping stone for the future,' he said.

What the ETPL Means for Cricket's Future

Du Plessis argued that the ETPL's arrival could fundamentally reshape the sport's global balance of power. 'With the ETPL coming in, just imagine how strong the game of cricket will be two, three, five, or ten years from now, when every team has the same opportunities, whether you are from Scotland or South Africa,' he said.

This comes amid a broader push by cricket's governing bodies to expand the sport's footprint beyond its traditional strongholds. The ETPL represents one of the most high-profile attempts yet to anchor a competitive franchise league in Europe, a region with growing but historically underserved cricketing infrastructure.

Star-Studded Lineup Signals Tournament's Ambition

Du Plessis noted that the calibre of overseas talent involved underlines the league's potential. 'When you first hear about the ETPL, you wonder what it's all about. Then you look at the players involved — Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, and others. You see the quality of overseas talent, including myself and Heinrich Klaasen. It's a top-class lineup, the kind you see in the best leagues around the world,' he said.

He also highlighted the novelty factor as a draw. 'This league is still in its early stages. It's fresh, and no one has yet captured its full potential. That makes you want to be part of the journey,' he added.

Jonty Rhodes on European Talent Getting a Proper Stage

Former South Africa fielding coach Jonty Rhodes, who joins Du Plessis as co-owner of the Rotterdam franchise, said the ETPL fills a long-standing gap for European players. 'We have already seen glimpses of incredible talent from Scottish, Irish, and Dutch players. They have shown they can compete, but they haven't always had the right platform,' Rhodes said.

'Now, with the ETPL, they have a proper stage to take their game to the next level. They will get to play alongside and against some of the best players in the world. That exposure will only help them grow. This is exactly what European cricket needs to move forward,' he added.

With the tournament less than a week away, the ETPL's ability to deliver on its promise of elevating Associate cricket will be closely watched by players and administrators alike.