Who is the Highest Paid Player in SA20 Auction 2025-26? Find Out the Full List

The player auction for the fourth edition of the SA20 league is scheduled for today, September 9, 2025, in Johannesburg. With the tournament set to kick off on December 26, the teams are finalising their squads. A total of 541 cricketers, comprising 300 local talents and 241 international names, are in the mix for just 84 available spots across six franchises.

The bidding has a collective budget of US$7.37 million, with each franchise working under a salary cap of US$2.31 million, making SA20 among the richest cricket leagues in the world. This SA20 2025 auction will feature some major cricketing names, with South Africa’s T20I skipper Aiden Markram, young talent Dewald Brevis, and global stars such as James Anderson, Shakib Al Hasan, Moeen Ali, and Devon Conway all in the spotlight.

This season brings a key rule change: instead of the previous Rookie Draft, teams are now required to include at least two South African players under the age of 23 in their 19-man squads. Additionally, each team can sign up to seven international players.

Who is the Most Expensive Player in SA20 Auction 2025-26?

Aiden Markram made headlines after being picked up by the Durban's Super Giants for a staggering R14 million, setting a new benchmark as the SA20's most expensive player. However, in a dramatic bidding war, Dewald Brevis overtook that figure, with the Pretoria Capitals outbidding the Joburg Super Kings to secure the young star for a record-breaking R16.5 million, making him the SA20 most expensive player ever.

Dewald Brevis, who earned the SA20 Rising Star award last season, was one of the key players in MI Cape Town’s title-winning campaign. He scored 291 runs, averaging 48.5 with a strike rate of 184.18, leaving a lasting mark on the tournament. Now, he’s set to wear the jersey of Pretoria Capitals, who secured his services for a whopping R16.5 million.

SA20 2025 Auction: List of Top 10 Most Expensive Players

The SA20 2025 auction was all about Dewald Brevis. The Pretoria Capitals went all in to secure the young batting sensation for a jaw-dropping R16.5 million, officially making him the SA20 most expensive player to date. That figure smashed the previous record held by Aiden Markram, who went to the Durban's Super Giants for R14 million, now the second most expensive player in SA20 history.

Joburg Super Kings picked up Wiaan Mulder for a hefty R9 million, while Rassie van der Dussen found a new home at MI Cape Town for R5.2 million. Sunrisers Eastern Cape showed interest in Matthew Breetzke for R6.1 million and veteran Quinton de Kock for R2.4 million. Durban's Super Giants also picked up rising star Kwena Maphaka for R2.3 million, and Devon Conway for a surprisingly low R325,000, easily one of the bargains of the day. Lungi Ngidi (R2.3 million) and Keshav Maharaj (R1.7 million) ended up being Pretoria’s pace and spin options.