Wikipedia - SA20
The SA20, also known as the Betway SA20 for sponsorship reasons, is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa, organised by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and first contested during the 2023 season. It is contested by six teams based in cities around the country. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of the tournament.
History
Cricket South Africa established the franchise T20 Global League in 2017. The inaugural season was deferred by a year due to the lack of a broadcast deal and title sponsor and in June 2018 was replaced by the Mzansi Super League, a league featuring six CSA-owned teams. Both the leagues became unsuccessful. The MSL ran for only two seasons, the 2020 and 2021 editions being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SA20 was established by CSA in 2022 through a newly formed entity, Africa Cricket Development (Pty) Limited (ACD). CSA is the majority stakeholder in ACD with a 50% share, while broadcaster SuperSport has a 30% share and former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chief Operating Officer Sundar Raman, the remaining 20%. All six of the teams were bought by franchises from the IPL. In July 2022, CSA announced that the One Day International series against Australia due to be played in January 2023 would be cancelled in order for SA20 to go ahead.
In August 2022, Graeme Smith was announced as the commissioner for the tournament. Later in the month, the marquee players for the first season were announced.
In December 2023 Cricket South Africa announced that it would send a makeshift Test team, comprising players with little or no Test cricket experience, to its scheduled two-Test tour of New Zealand in February 2024, to allow its best players to remain in South Africa to compete in the SA20. The decision was widely criticised. In January 2025, Cricket South Africa announced the windows for the competition for 2026, 2027, and 2028.
With a format that emphasizes fast-paced, high-scoring matches, the SA20 attracts cricket enthusiasts from around the globe. Each season, teams battle it out in a round-robin format, culminating in thrilling playoffs and a grand final to determine the champion.
The league not only aims to entertain fans with explosive cricket but also focuses on nurturing local talent, providing young players with invaluable experience alongside seasoned professionals. The SA20 is a celebration of cricket, culture, and community, making it a must-watch event on the global cricket calendar.