The Betway SA20 is gearing up for its fourth season, and the excitement is building ahead of the much-anticipated Season 4 auction in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 9 September. With at least 72 player slots available, teams are preparing for high-stakes bidding that will shape the squads for the upcoming season.
changes and innovations at the season 4 auction
This year’s auction will bring several changes to the composition of the teams, with a continued focus on creating opportunities for local South African talent. Teams will be able to sign a maximum of 7 overseas players and a minimum of 11 South African players, with each squad comprising 18 players in total.
For the first time, franchises will be able to sign one Wildcard player—a player who can be either South African or overseas—and the fee for this player will fall outside of the salary cap. Teams are also permitted to retain up to 6 pre-signed players, including a maximum of 3 overseas and 3 South African players.
record salary cap and RTM cards
Season 4 sees the largest salary cap in the history of the competition, set at R41-million per franchise—marking a significant increase from R34-million in Season 1. This makes the Betway SA20 the highest T20 franchise salary cap outside of India.
A major innovation for this season is the introduction of Right to Match (RTM) Cards. RTM cards give teams the opportunity to match any winning auction bid for a player who played for them in Season 3, allowing them to retain that player for Season 4.
Each franchise will have a limited number of RTM cards based on the number of South African retentions they have prior to the auction.
commitment to developing young talent
Betway SA20 remains dedicated to nurturing young talent in South Africa. For the first time, there will be no Rookie Draft. Instead, teams must sign a minimum of two Under-23 players as part of their final 19-player squad.
auction proceedings and live coverage
The auction will once again be hosted by Richard Madley, known for his charismatic gavel-wielding style. Fans can watch the event live on SuperSport and the SA20 YouTube Channel, with rolling coverage across all of the league’s social media platforms.
season 4 set for festive debut
The auction marks the first major milestone ahead of Season 4, which will kick off on 26 December 2025, in a prime festive-season slot. The new season promises to be even more exciting, with new talent, big-name signings, and innovative strategies set to shape the next chapter of the Betway SA20.
