SA20 Season 5 Pre-Signed and Retained Players Announced Ahead of October Auction

August 5, 2026

All six SA20 franchises announced their retained and pre-signed player lists on Wednesday, August 5, ahead of Season 5. High-profile international cricketers, including Mitchell Marsh, Joe Root, Sam Curran, and Phil Salt, lead the list of player announcements prior to the upcoming Player Auction.

What Happened

Ahead of Season 5, SA20 franchises have finalized their initial rosters using overseas pre-signings and retentions. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 17, opening at St George’s Park, through to the Final on February 21 at Newlands. Australia’s T20I captain Mitchell Marsh, who holds 88 T20I caps, will make his SA20 debut for triple champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Joe Root returns to Paarl Royals for a second stint, Sam Curran joins Durban’s Super Giants, and Phil Salt re-joins Pretoria Capitals.

Key Highlights

Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals have completely filled their 19-player roster slots prior to the auction.
Every franchise has exhausted its allocated overseas pre-signed player slots, though Joburg Super Kings retain a Wildcard signing option.
A total of 19 auction spots remain open across the league for the Player Auction on October 7.
Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town each require six additional players at the auction, including one Under-23 player each.
Pretoria Capitals have five roster spots to fill, while Sunrisers Eastern Cape need two more players.
Top players confirmed include Season 5 Player of the Season Quinton de Kock (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), ICC No. 4 ranked T20I batter Phil Salt (Pretoria Capitals), Proteas captain Aiden Markram (Durban’s Super Giants), 2025 Bowler of the Season Ottneil Baartman (Paarl Royals), and SA20 record run-scorer Ryan Rickelton (MI Cape Town).

Why This Matters

According to SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith, franchises entering the auction with the majority of their squads locked in highlights the stability and consistency built across the league. This squad continuity provides teams with strong foundations while preparing for competitive play in Season 5.

What to Watch Next

The remaining 19 vacant squad positions across the six franchises will be filled during the Player Auction on October 7. Attention will focus on Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town as they recruit six players each, including mandatory Under-23 selections, and Joburg Super Kings’ potential use of their Wildcard signing option.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does SA20 Season 5 take place?

Season 5 begins on January 17 at St George’s Park and concludes with the Final on February 21 at Newlands.

When is the SA20 Player Auction?

The Player Auction is scheduled for October 7, with 19 player spots available across the franchises.

Which teams have already completed their 19-player squads?

Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals are the two franchises that have filled all 19 roster positions ahead of the auction.

Source: www.crictracker.com