SA20 Season 5 Squads and Signings: Full Team Lists, Star Players and Auction News

The SA20 season 5 squads are taking shape, and the fifth edition of the flagship T20 league of South Africa is already promising serious fireworks. Mitchell Marsh, Sam Curran, Joe Root, Phil Salt and Jason Holder headline a bumper list of overseas signings, while the six franchises have locked in their retained players and pre-auction picks. With defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape looking to protect their crown, every squad announcement has added another layer of intrigue to the upcoming season.

This guide covers the complete sa20 season 5 squads for all six teams, the biggest new signings, the wildcard picks, the players heading to the auction, and the key dates for the season. From Marsh making his SA20 debut to Faf du Plessis parting ways with Joburg Super Kings, here is everything confirmed so far.

SA20 Season 5 Squads: Sunrisers Eastern Cape Bank on Mitchell Marsh

Sunrisers Eastern Cape have pulled off one of the signings of the season, bringing in Australia captain Mitchell Marsh for his SA20 debut. The powerful all-rounder slots straight into the middle order of the defending champions and adds a wealth of T20 experience to a batting unit that already features Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Jordan Hermann and captain Tristan Stubbs.

The Eastern Cape side have blended international quality with exciting local talent. Their overseas group includes Marsh, Lewis Gregory, Adam Milne and Rishad Hossain, with the Bangladesh leg-spinner expected to play a major role through the season. Fans can also follow the latest on Rishad Hossain and his SA20 participation as the season approaches.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Durban Super Giants Welcome Back Sam Curran

The Durban Super Giants have signed England all-rounder Sam Curran, who returns to the SA20 after featuring for MI Cape Town in the first two seasons. Curran gives the franchise a left-arm pace option and a reliable lower-order bat, two ingredients every T20 side craves.

Curran joins a star-studded overseas contingent featuring Jos Buttler, Devon Conway, Liam Livingstone, Sunil Narine and Kane Williamson. With Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen forming the South African core, the Super Giants already look like one of the most balanced outfits in the competition.

Durban Super Giants

Joe Root Returns to Paarl Royals as Wildcard Pick

England star Joe Root is back in the SA20 as the wildcard signing for Paarl Royals. The Royals will bank on the experience of Root to bring calm and control to the middle order, and his ability to manage an innings could prove priceless in tight chases.

Paarl have already filled their 19-man roster with a well-balanced overseas group: Daniel Lawrence, Gudakesh Motie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sikandar Raza, Thomas Rew, Asa Tribe and Mujeeb Ur Rahman offer options with both bat and ball, while David Miller and Kyle Verreynne lead the local charge.

Paarl Royals

Phil Salt and Matthew Short Power Up Pretoria Capitals

Pretoria Capitals have added serious firepower at the top, signing England keeper-batter Phil Salt and Australian all-rounder Matthew Short. Salt brings the kind of explosive starts that can decide T20 games inside the powerplay, while Short offers flexibility with both bat and ball.

The Capitals also boast exciting South African talent in Wihan Lubbe, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Connor Esterhuizen and Bryce Parsons. Andre Russell arrives as the wildcard signing, bringing a mountain of experience and raw power to the squad.

Pretoria Capitals

Will Jacks Bolsters MI Cape Town Batting

MI Cape Town have strengthened their batting with the signing of England all-rounder Will Jacks. It is a second stint in the MI family for Jacks, following his time with Mumbai Indians in the IPL and MI London in The Hundred.

Jacks joins an overseas group featuring Nicholas Pooran and Rashid Khan, while the South African core includes Corbin Bosch, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton and Jason Smith, with Kagiso Rabada locked in as the wildcard fast bowler.

MI Cape Town

Jason Holder Joins Joburg Super Kings After Faf du Plessis Exit

Joburg Super Kings have added West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder after parting ways with long-time captain Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis led the franchise through its first four seasons, so his release counts as one of the biggest talking points of the squad announcements. Holder brings international experience and another solid pace-bowling all-round option.

The Super Kings also have proven overseas names in Leus du Plooy, Akeal Hosein and James Vince, while Duan Jansen adds to the South African contingent after impressing in domestic cricket and overseas leagues.

Joburg Super Kings

SA20 Season 5 Auction: Squad Gaps and Big Names Available

The upcoming auction will remain crucial for teams with vacancies. Joburg Super Kings need seven additions, MI Cape Town have six spots to fill, and Pretoria Capitals still have five places open. With several settled cores already in place, expect fierce bidding for the remaining slots.

A few big names have been released and could spark bidding wars. Jonny Bairstow has been dropped from the Sunrisers Eastern Cape squad, while MI Cape Town have let go of Trent Boult, Rassie van der Dussen and Kieron Pollard. Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger will also return to the auction after being released by the Super Kings.

SA20 Season 5 Schedule: Start Date and Final Venue

Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape will open the season against Pretoria Capitals at St George’s Park on January 17. The opener is a repeat of the final of the previous season, which makes it a perfect early test for both sides. The tournament will conclude with the final at Newlands on February 21.

Conclusion

The sa20 season 5 squads show a league that keeps raising the bar. Marsh, Curran, Root, Salt and Holder bring genuine star power, the wildcard picks add late drama, and the auction still holds enough quality to reshape the weaker squads. With the champions opening against the finalists of last season on January 17, Season 5 has all the ingredients of the most competitive SA20 yet.