SA20 Season 5 auction: Du Plessis, Van der Dussen headline 156-player shortlist
Synopsis
With 789 hopefuls trimmed to 156, the SA20 Season 5 auction on 7 October has its most star-studded shortlist yet — Faf du Plessis seeking a new franchise home, Dewald Brevis' $994,834 record still fresh, and Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town each needing six players. A maximum of $2.11 million is on the line.
Key Takeaways
The SA20 Season 5 Player Auction takes place on 7 October in Johannesburg , with 19 roster slots to be filled.
A total of 156 players — 95 South African , 61 overseas — were shortlisted from 789 initial registrants.
A combined maximum of $2.11 million can be spent; Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town each have six slots to fill.
Durban's Super Giants and Paarl Royals have completed their squads and will not participate.
Headline South African names include Faf du Plessis , Rassie van der Dussen , Wiaan Mulder , and Nandre Burger .
Dewald Brevis holds the SA20 auction record at $994,834 , set last season.
A total of 156 players — 95 South Africans and 61 overseas cricketers — are set to go under the hammer at the SA20 Season 5 Player Auction on 7 October 2025 in Johannesburg, with 19 remaining roster slots up for grabs across four franchises. The auction, whittled down from an initial pool of 789 registered players, has grown into one of the most anticipated events on South Africa's sporting calendar.
The Stakes and the Structure
Four franchises will compete to fill their squads, with a combined maximum spend of $2.11 million on the table. Joburg Super Kings (JSK) and MI Cape Town face the most work, each needing to fill six slots. Meanwhile, Durban's Super Giants and Paarl Royals have already completed their 19-player squads and will sit out the auction entirely — reflecting a trend of franchises locking down their core talent well ahead of the bidding.
South African Headliners to Watch
Former JSK captain Faf du Plessis is among the most high-profile names in the pool. The veteran batter's appetite for franchise cricket remains undiminished — he reportedly topped the run-scoring charts in Europe in a recent stint. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder, pacer Nandre Burger, and top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen are also expected to attract strong bids from the four competing franchises.
The Under-23 category is shaping up as a separate battleground. Fast bowler Matthew Boast — who fetched the joint-highest bid at the Season 2 auction — and former South Africa Under-19 captain Jason Rowles are both expected to generate spirited bidding wars.
Overseas Stars in the Mix
On the international front, the shortlist includes West Indian heavyweights Kieron Pollard and Shimron Hetmyer, New Zealand seamer Trent Boult, and emerging West Indian pacer Shamar Joseph. Afghanistan spinners Mohammad Nabi and AM Ghazanfar, alongside England contingent players Jordan Cox, Aneurin Donald, Rehan Ahmed, and Richard Gleeson, round out a competitive overseas pool.
Notably, the auction field this season is smaller than last year's, with most franchises having retained their core groups. Stars such as Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Sam Curran, Sunil Narine, Kane Williamson, Andre Russell, Mitchell Marsh, and Phil Salt are already committed to SA20 franchises for Season 5.
A Competition That Has Changed Lives
The SA20's four previous auctions have produced some remarkable moments. Tristan Stubbs landed a $554,693 deal at the inaugural auction, while Dewald Brevis set a new record last season with a $994,834 contract. Beyond the headline numbers, several local cricketers have reportedly become millionaires overnight, with many subsequently earning opportunities on the global T20 circuit after performances in front of packed SA20 stadiums.
With Season 5 set to bring another constellation of global T20 talent to South African venues, the 7 October auction will be a crucial piece in the competition's build-up.
Point of View
And a raft of international marquee names are already under contract. The real story of the 7 October auction is not Du Plessis's price tag, but whether the competition can sustain its record-breaking trajectory while the player pool remains largely South African-weighted. With Dewald Brevis' $994,834 record still standing from last season, the ceiling keeps rising — but so do questions about whether domestic franchise economies can absorb these valuations without distorting the local talent pipeline.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the SA20 Season 5 Player Auction?
The SA20 Season 5 Player Auction is scheduled for 7 October in Johannesburg. It will fill 19 remaining roster slots across four participating franchises.
Which franchises are taking part in the SA20 Season 5 auction?
Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town are the most active participants, each needing to fill six slots. Durban's Super Giants and Paarl Royals have already completed their 19-player squads and will not take part.
Who are the biggest names in the SA20 Season 5 auction shortlist?
South African headliners include former JSK captain Faf du Plessis, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, pacer Nandre Burger, and top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen. Overseas standouts include Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Shimron Hetmyer, and Shamar Joseph.
What is the maximum amount that can be spent at the SA20 Season 5 auction?
A combined maximum of $2.11 million is available across all four franchises participating in the auction. Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town account for the largest share, with six slots each to fill.
What is the record deal in SA20 auction history?
Dewald Brevis set the SA20 auction record last season with a deal worth $994,834. The inaugural auction produced Tristan Stubbs' landmark $554,693 contract, marking the competition's early promise.
