SA20 allows teams to retain six players ahead of auctions due in September

‌SA20 has decided that each team will be allowed a maximum of six retentions or pre-signed players ahead of the auctions slated for September 9. This will be the least in the three-year history of the premier T20 franchise tournament in South Africa.

With each of the six teams having a squad size of 18 players, the current rule will mean 72 of the total 108 players will enter the auction fray ahead of the fourth season of SA20. The overall squad composition, however, will remain unchanged with franchises allowed to sign a maximum of seven overseas players with a minimum of 11 South African players in every squad.

The salary cap has also been increased from R39.1 million (USD 2.2 million) to R41 million (USD 2.31 million) making SA20 the second-highest, in terms of salary cap, behind the Indian Premier League. The franchises have been allowed to make an additional signing in the form of a wildcard player whose salary will not be included in the overall salary cap.

The teams will also have the option of using a Right to Match (RTM) card during the SA20 auction that will allow them to retain the services of a player who represented them in the last season. The teams also need to have at least two under-23 players in their squad.

The fourth season of the SA20 is expected to start on Boxing Day, earlier than the usual January start in earlier seasons, and will continue till January 26.