Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly gearing up for the thrill-packed second edition of South Africa’s T20 franchise cricket extravaganza – SA20 2024. Organized by Cricket South Africa (CSA), the tournament is set to commence on January 10, promising a month-long fiesta of fast-paced cricketing action that will culminate with the grand final on February 10.
A Brief Background
The SA20 tournament emerged as the successor to the Mzansi Super League, which, unfortunately, faced cancellation after completing two seasons in 2020 and 2021. In contrast, SA20 made a spectacular debut last year, garnering success and acclaim. In 2024, the league returns, seeking to build on the triumphs of its inaugural season.
Six Teams, Thirty-Four Matches
Six teams, each owned by Indian T20 League franchise owners, are set to compete fiercely in a total of 34 matches. The participating teams are Durban Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
A distinctive feature of SA20 is its player acquisition method, mirroring India’s T20 League. The teams acquire players through a rigorous auction process, making it the second T20 league globally to adopt such a mechanism.
SA20 2024 teams and squads
Durban Super Giants SA20 2024 squad: Keshav Maharaj (captain), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Christiaan Jonker, Kyle Mayers, Matthew Breetzke, Dwaine Pretorius, Jason Holder, JJ Smuts, Keemo Paul, Wiaan Mulder, Ben McDermott, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, Akila Dananjaya, David Willey, Hardus Viljoen, Junior Dala, Naveen-ul-Haq, Prenelan Subrayen, Reece Topley, Simon Harmer
Joburg Super Kings SA20 2024 squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Donovan Ferreira, Leus Du Plooy, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Moeen Ali, David Wiese, Zahir Khan, Sam Cook, Wayne Madsen, Lizaad Williams, Romario Shepherd, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle Simmonds, Dayyaan Galiem, Ronan Hermann
MI Cape Town SA20 2024 squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Dewald Brevis, Kagiso Rabada, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Tom Banton, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Olly Stone, Grant Roelofsen, Delano Potgieter, Chris Benjamin, Nealan van Heerden, Thomas Kaber, Connor Esterhuizen
Paarl Royals SA20 2024 squad: David Miller (captain), Evan Jones, Wihan Lubbe, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jason Roy, Ferisco Adams, Mitchell van Buuren, Dane Vilas, Jos Buttler, Bjorn Fortuin, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Obed McCoy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Fabian Allen, John Turner, Lorcan Tucker, Lhuandre Pretorius
Pretoria Capitals SA20 2024 squad: Wayne Parnell (captain), Will Jacks, Shane Dadswell, Theunis de Bruyn, James Neesham, Senuran Muthusamy, Colin Ingram, Corbin Bosch, Adil Rashid, Anrich Nortje, Eathan Bosch, Migael Pretorius, Phil Salt, Rilee Rossouw, Paul Stirling, Kyle Verreynne, Matthew Boast, Daryn Dupavillon, Steve Stolk
Sunrisers Eastern Cape SA20 2024 squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, Jordan Hermann, Sarel Erwee, Adam Rossington, Tom Abell, Dawid Malan, Ottniel Baartman, Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Simon Harmer, Craig Overton, Ayabulela Gqamane, Caleb Seleka, Beyers Swanepoel, Andile Simelane
Team Composition and Player Dynamics
Each SA20 team comprises 17 players, with the flexibility to sign up to five international players before the auction. Among these five, only three can be international players, one must be a South African international, and the fifth is reserved for an uncapped South African player.
Double Round-Robin Format and Playoffs
The tournament’s structure follows a double round-robin format, where each team plays the others twice. The top four teams in the standings after the league matches secure a berth in the playoffs.
- Qualifier 1: The top two teams battle for a direct entry into the final.
- Eliminator: The third and fourth-placed teams clash, with the loser bidding adieu to the tournament.
- Qualifier 2: The winner of the Eliminator faces the loser of Qualifier 1, competing for the remaining final spot.
Defending Champions and Title Aspirations
Sunrisers Eastern Cape, having triumphed in the 2023 edition, enter the 2024 season as the defending champions. In the thrilling 2023 final at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, they clinched victory by four wickets against Pretoria Capitals.
Where to watch SA20 2024 live in India
The SA20 2024 will be telecast live on Sports18 TV channels in India.
Live streaming of the SA20 2024 will be available on the JioCinema app and website.
SA20 2024 schedule, fixtures and live India match start times
All match times are in India Standard Time (IST)
| Day and Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Wednesday, January 10 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Joburg Super Kings | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 9:00 PM |
| Thursday, January 11 | Durban Super Giants vs MI Cape Town | Kingsmead, Durban | 9:00 PM |
| Friday, January 12 | Paarl Royals vs Pretoria Capitals | Boland Park, Paarl | 9:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 13 | Joburg Super Kings vs MI Cape Town | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 5:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 13 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Durban Super Giants | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 9:00 PM |
| Sunday, January 14 | Pretoria Capitals vs Paarl Royals | SuperSport Park, Centurion | 7:00 PM |
| Monday, January 15 | Durban Super Giants vs Joburg Super Kings | Kingsmead, Durban | 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday, January 16 | MI Cape Town vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Newlands, Cape Town | 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday, January 17 | Paarl Royals vs Joburg Super Kings | Boland Park, Paarl | 9:00 PM |
| Thursday, January 18 | Pretoria Capitals vs Durban Super Giants | SuperSport Park, Centurion | 9:00 PM |
| Friday, January 19 | MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals | Newlands, Cape Town | 9:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 20 | Durban Super Giants vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Kingsmead, Durban | 5:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 20 | Joburg Super Kings vs Pretoria Capitals | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 9:00 PM |
| Sunday, January 21 | Paarl Royals vs MI Cape Town | Boland Park, Paarl | 7:00 PM |
| Monday, January 22 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday, January 23 | MI Cape Town vs Durban Super Giants | Newlands, Cape Town | 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday, January 24 | Joburg Super Kings vs Paarl Royals | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 9:00 PM |
| Thursday, January 25 | Pretoria Capitals vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape | SuperSport Park, Centurion | 9:00 PM |
| Friday, January 26 | Paarl Royals vs Durban Super Giants | Boland Park, Paarl | 9:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 27 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs MI Cape Town | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 5:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 27 | Pretoria Capitals vs Joburg Super Kings | SuperSport Park, Centurion | 9:00 PM |
| Sunday, January 28 | Durban Super Giants vs Paarl Royals | Kingsmead, Durban | 7:00 PM |
| Monday, January 29 | MI Cape Town vs Joburg Super Kings | Newlands, Cape Town | 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday, January 30 | Durban Super Giants vs Pretoria Capitals | Kingsmead, Durban | 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday, January 31 | Joburg Super Kings vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 9:00 PM |
| Thursday, February 1 | Pretoria Capitals vs MI Cape Town | SuperSport Park, Centurion | 9:00 PM |
| Friday, February 2 | Paarl Royals vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Boland Park, Paarl | 11:00 PM |
| Saturday, February 3 | MI Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals | Newlands, Cape Town | 5:00 PM |
| Saturday, February 3 | Joburg Super Kings vs Durban Super Giants | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 9:00 PM |
| Sunday, February 4 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Paarl Royals | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday, February 6 | Qualifier 1 | TBC, TBC | 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday, February 7 | Eliminator | TBC, TBC | 9:00 PM |
| Thursday, February 8 | Qualifier 2 | TBC, TBC | 9:00 PM |
| Saturday, February 10 | SA20 2024 final | TBC, TBC | 8:00 PM |
As cricket fever takes hold with the advent of SA20 2024, fans can expect an exhilarating journey filled with breathtaking moments, fierce rivalries, and intense competition. The stage is set, and the cricketing world eagerly awaits to witness the magic unfold in the heart of South African T20 cricket. Let the games begin!