SA20 Teams Given Six Player Retention Slots Ahead of Season 4 Auction; Salary Cap Increased

SA20 Teams Get Six Retention Slots Ahead of Auction

The SA20 league has announced that franchises will be allowed to retain up to six players ahead of the season four auction. The auction is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on September 9.

All the franchises will see an increase in the purse to USD 2.3 million © Sportzpics

With a minimum of 72 slots available across the six teams, the salary purse has been significantly increased to USD 2.3 million for each team. This increase promises a more competitive and exciting auction.

Each franchise can retain a maximum of six players, including no more than three international players.

Key points for the upcoming SA20 auction:

• Squad Composition: Each team can have a maximum of seven overseas players in their 18-member squad. At least 11 slots must be filled by local players.

• Wild Card Signing: Teams can sign a South African or foreign cricketer as a 'wild card player'. The player's fee will not count towards the salary cap.

• Right To Match (RTM) Card: For the first time in the South African league, the auction will feature a Right To Match (RTM) card. This allows a franchise to match the winning bid for a player who played for them in the previous season. The number of RTM cards varies based on the number of South African players retained.

• Rookie Draft Discontinued: Instead of a Rookie Draft, franchises must sign at least two Under-23 players in their final 19-player squads.

Stephen Cook, Head of Cricket Operations at SA20, commented: "The SA20 Season 4 Player Auction is setting up to be the most exciting yet, with about 60% of player slots available for the franchises to fill. Mechanisms such as RTM cards, Wildcard players and an increased salary cap are sure to create interesting situations for teams and will allow them to strategically select their squads. We have seen some life-changing transactions already in the past few years and the upcoming auction should see plenty more."

Richard Madley will continue as the auctioneer for the fourth season. The season is scheduled to begin on December 26.