Daijiworld Media Network – Johannesburg
Johannesburg, Sep 9: Dewald Brevis made history in the SA20 Season 4 Player Auction in Johannesburg on Tuesday, becoming the most expensive player ever in the league. Brevis, who impressed as a replacement signing for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, sparked a bidding war between Joburg Super Kings and Pretoria Capitals, ultimately going to the Capitals for R16.5 million (Rs 8.31 crore), surpassing Aiden Markram’s earlier record of R14 million with Durban Super Giants.
The auction, with a total purse of US$7.37 million to fill 84 slots across six franchises, features each team with a US$2.31 million salary cap, making SA20 the world’s second-richest T20 league after the IPL. Over 800 player registrations were narrowed down to 541—300 South Africans and 241 overseas players—for the main auction.
Pretoria Capitals, led by a refreshed coaching staff including Sourav Ganguly and Shaun Pollock, have the largest remaining purse of US$1.86 million. Durban Super Giants, retaining stars like Jos Buttler, Sunil Narine, Heinrich Klaasen, and Noor Ahmad, have US$1.66 million left. Joburg Super Kings, captained by Faf du Plessis, enter with US$1.2 million, while Sunrisers Eastern Cape, two-time champions, also have US$1.2 million to bid. Paarl Royals and MI Cape Town, defending champions, have US$0.819 million and US$0.65 million respectively.
The auction pool boasts South Africa’s top talent, including Proteas T20I captain Aiden Markram, seven ICC T20 World Cup final squad members, and Test World Champions like Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, and Wiaan Mulder. International stars such as Shakib Al Hasan, James Anderson, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali, Tom Abell, D’Arcy Short, and Devon Conway add global firepower to the tournament.
New rules require franchises to build 19-player squads with at least two Under-23 South African players, a minimum of nine local players, a maximum of seven overseas players, and an additional Wildcard for flexibility. The league’s fourth season is set to begin on December 26, 2025.