Johannesburg : The SA20 Season 4 Player Auction witnessed record-breaking bids as franchises collectively spent R116.9 million (approx. Rs 59 crore) on South African players, including R22.8 million (approx. Rs 11.4 crore) on 12 Under-23 cricketers. Dewald Brevis and Aiden Markram emerged as the headline stars, fetching the highest-ever prices in SA20 auction history.
Pretoria Capitals secured 22-year-old Brevis for a staggering R16.5 million (approx. Rs 8.3 crore) after a heated bidding war with Joburg Super Kings. The acquisition marked the most expensive purchase across all SA20 auctions. Capitals’ new head coach, Sourav Ganguly, who spearheaded the franchise’s bidding, praised Brevis’ all-round ability:
“He is a tremendous talent and a game-changer. His skills against spin and overall development in the past 18 months make him worth the investment. Performance matters more than money, and Brevis has proven he can deliver.”
Just minutes earlier, Proteas T20I skipper Aiden Markram went under the hammer, with Durban’s Super Giants snapping him up for R14 million (approx. Rs 7 crore). Sunrisers Eastern Cape tried to retain their captain using the Right to Match card at R12.4 million, but DSG outbid them with a final jump of R1.6 million.
SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith hailed the massive franchise investment as a turning point for South African cricket:
“We’ve seen an unprecedented injection of funds into our players. Over R22 million has gone into Under-23 talent alone, which shows the depth of South African cricket and the platform SA20 provides globally.”
The previous auction record of R9.2 million, set by Tristan Stubbs in 2022, was comfortably surpassed this year. Other major buys included Proteas allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who went to Joburg Super Kings for R9 million, and left-arm pacer Nandre Burger, picked up for R6.3 million.
Rising teenage sensation Kwena Maphaka joined Durban’s Super Giants for R2.3 million, while promising youngsters Janco Smit, Bayanda Majola, and JJ Bason were drafted by Pretoria Capitals, Joburg Super Kings, and Paarl Royals, respectively.
Overall, six franchises spent R129.3 million (approx. Rs 65 crore) on 84 players, signaling a booming future for the SA20. The investment in youth, alongside marquee stars, ensures a balanced platform for talent development and competitive cricket.
With Brevis and Markram leading the headlines, the auction underscored the growing global stature of the SA20 league. As franchises pour unprecedented funds into young and experienced Proteas alike, South African cricket looks set to reap long-term rewards both domestically and on the international stage.
Also Read : 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup: Top 10 Greatest Matches Ever
