Excitement Builds for SA20 Season 5 Player Auction

The SA20 Season 5 player auction is set to take place, with franchises eager to fill their rosters. With a total budget of USD 2.10 million for 19 slots, excitement is building as teams prepare for the event. Key figures like Albie Morkel and Robin Peterson will lead their respective teams, while former players provide expert commentary. The auction promises thrilling moments, with a total of USD 70.75 million spent over five seasons. Fans can catch all the action live on various platforms. Don't miss the chance to witness this exciting cricket event!

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 7, 2026, 17:49 IST

Auction Purses and Squad Gaps

The upcoming player auction for the fifth season of SA20 is set to create significant excitement on Wednesday, as four franchises have a total of USD 2.10 million to fill 19 available slots in their squads. The Super Giants from Durban and the Paarl Royals have already completed their roster adjustments following an increase in the salary cap to USD 2.54 million for this season.

Franchise Budgets

The Joburg Super Kings, led by coach Albie Morkel, possess the largest budget at USD 1.245 million. MI Cape Town, under the guidance of Robin Peterson, has USD 565,150 available. The three-time champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, coached by Adrian Birrell, have USD 217,600, while the Pretoria Capitals, with Shaun Pollock at the helm, have USD 89,150. Fans can catch the auction live on the SA20 YouTube Channel, along with updates on official social media platforms.

Player Experiences and Perspectives

Dan Nicholl, a seasoned auctioneer and South African presenter, will officiate the auction for the first time. Former Proteas players Chris Morris and Neil McKenzie will provide expert commentary during the event.

Over the past five years, the SA20 auction has been a remarkable journey, with a total expenditure of USD 70.75 million on players. From record-breaking signings to intense bidding wars, each auction has left a lasting impact.

Reflecting on his experience, Tristan Stubbs, captain of Sunrisers Eastern Cape, recalled, "I was very young, just in my twenties. Watching the auction with my friends was exhilarating; we couldn't believe what was happening. It was overwhelming."

Dewald Brevis surpassed Stubbs' record when he was acquired by the Pretoria Capitals for R 16.5 million during the Season 4 auction. Brevis stated, "I focus on my game and remain grateful for the opportunity to represent my home team in Pretoria."

Keshav Maharaj, captain of the Capitals, expressed the thrill of uncertainty that comes with the auction, saying, "There's always a fear of the unknown, but I cherish the chance to play outside of Durban and embrace a different cricket culture."

Matthew Breetzke's auction journey was notably different. Initially picked by Durban's Super Giants for USD 10,576, he later returned to Sunrisers Eastern Cape for USD 368,000, reflecting on how the Super Giants helped launch his career.

Key Auction Rules and Broadcast Information

Both Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town are required to select one Under-23 player from the final shortlist of 48. Additionally, the Super Kings have a Wildcard slot available.

Fans outside Sub-Saharan Africa can watch the auction on various platforms: JioStar in India (20h30 IST), Sky Sports in the UK (16h00 BST), Apex in Pakistan (19h30 PKT), Fox Sports in Australia (23h00 AEDT), and Willow TV in North America (11h00 ET).

The auction format will include: *Marquee Mixed Set Rounds *Nomination Express Round (teams nominate players they wish to bid on) *No Right to Match (RTM) cards will be available for the four teams participating in Season 5.

Post-Auction Press Conference

Following the auction, a press conference will be held featuring SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith and the four coaches: Albie Morkel (Joburg Super Kings), Robin Peterson (MI Cape Town), Shaun Pollock (Pretoria Capitals), and Adrian Birrell (Sunrisers Eastern Cape). This online event is scheduled for Thursday, 8 October at 09h00 SAST, with more details to be announced.