The six SA20 franchises have announced their retention and pre-signings ahead of the auction for the 2026 season. With a maximum of six signings permitted per side - three South Africans and three international - teams were also allowed a wildcard signing, who can be a domestic or foreign player.
SA20 2026
Markram's departure headlines SA20 retentions and pre-signings
Each team were allowed six signings along with an additional wildcard pick © Sportzpics
Defending champions, MI Cape Town, have retained the core of their side that lifted the title earlier in February this year. George Linde, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch were the domestic retention with Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan and Trent Boult forming part of their overseas roster. Ace speedster Kagiso Rabada was their wildcard signing leaving the defending champions with the lowest purse among all teams of USD 654K.
In a surprise move, two-time winners Sunrisers Eastern Cape have released their captain Aiden Markram. They have instead retained Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen, with the latter being their wildcard signing. Their overseas contingent comprises of AM Ghazanfar, Jonny Bairstow and Adam Milne.
Durban Super Giants and Pretoria Capitals, who endured a torrid 2025 season with just two wins, made the biggest changes to their squads. The Super Giants went big on the overseas signings of Sunil Narine, Noor Ahmad and Jos Buttler with Heinrich Klaasen being named their wildcard. The Capitals, made just three signings with Englishman Will Jacks continuing while West Indian duo Sherfane Rutherford and Andre Russell also signed the dotted line. It has left these two sides with the highest purse heading into the auction.
Joburg Super Kings retained the services of captain Faf du Plessis along with three international signings in James Vince, Akeal Hosein and Richard Gleeson while Donovan Ferreira was their wildcard signing. Paarl Royals retained six players with David Miller continuing to lead the side while young sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius is also in. Bjorn Fortuin and Rubin Hermann round off their domestic signings while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Sikandar Raza are their overseas players.
A number of South African players including Markram will be available in the auction. Some of the others include Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj, along with top young talents Dewald Brevis and Kwena Maphaka. The experienced T20 specialists of Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi will also be available.
The auction will be held on September 9 while each squad will need to consist of 18 members.
Current Squads:
MI Cape Town
Remaining Purse - USD 654K
Domestic: Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada (Wildcard)
International: Rashid Khan, Trent Boult, Nicholas Pooran
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Remaining Purse - USD 1.2 million
Domestic: Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen (Wildcard)
International: AM Ghazanfar, Adam Milne, Jonny Bairstow
Joburg Super Kings
Remaining Purse - USD 1.2 million
Domestic: Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira (Wildcard)
International: James Vince, Akeal Hosein, Richard Gleeson
Paarl Royals
Remaining Purse - USD 825K
Domestic: David Miller, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin, Rubin Hermann (Wildcard)
International: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sikandar Raza
Pretoria Capitals
Remaining Purse - USD 1.8 million
Domestic: NA
International: Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell (Wildcard)
Durban Super Giants
Remaining Purse - USD 1.6 million
Domestic: Heinrich Klaasen (Wildcard)
International: Sunil Narine, Jos Buttler, Noor Ahmad
© Cricbuzz
