South Africa's premier T20 league, SA20, is intensifying its efforts to cultivate a stronger connection with Indian cricket fans ahead of its fourth season. A key initiative in this strategy was the "SA20 India Day 2025," held in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. This event highlights the league's commitment to expanding its fanbase in the subcontinent and served as a promotional springboard for the upcoming season.
SA20 Season 4 is scheduled to run from December 26, 2025, to January 25, 2026, coinciding with the festive season and school holidays in South Africa. The opening match will feature defending champions MI Cape Town against Durban's Super Giants at Newlands Cricket Ground. This season introduces New Year's Eve and New Year's Day fixtures, aiming to integrate SA20 into holiday traditions.
The "SA20 India Day 2025" event underscores the growing popularity of the league in India. The league features a number of international and local cricket stars, including Kagiso Rabada, Jos Buttler, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, and Faf du Plessis. The exposure and popularity of these players in India, coupled with the IPL-like format of the SA20, contribute to its appeal among Indian fans.
The format of SA20 Season 4 will mirror that of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where each team plays the others twice in the league stage. The top four teams will then proceed to the playoffs. Qualifier 1 will see the top two teams battle for a direct spot in the final, while the loser gets another chance in Qualifier 2. The Eliminator will be contested between the third and fourth-ranked teams.
The playoffs will be held at Kingsmead (Durban), St George’s Park (Gqeberha), SuperSport Park (Centurion) and the Wanderers (Johannesburg). Newlands in Cape Town will host the final. Durban will host a playoff match for the first time, specifically Qualifier 1 on January 21. The Eliminator is scheduled for January 22 in Centurion, and Qualifier 2 will be played on January 23 at the Wanderers. The final is set for January 25.
Graeme Smith, SA20 League Commissioner, anticipates continued enthusiasm for the tournament. He highlighted the popularity of Newlands, which sold out all five matches last year and expressed excitement for Durban hosting its first playoff.
The SA20 Season 4 player auction was held on September 9, where the six franchises finalized their 19-player squads. A total purse of $7.4 million (over ₹64 crore) was available, attracting both South African and international players. The auction was broadcast live on JioHotstar in India. For the current season, teams could retain a maximum of six players (up to three South African and three overseas players). Teams were also able to sign one "Wildcard" player each, with all teams having already confirmed their Wildcards.
The league is dedicated to developing young South African talent. Instead of a Rookie Draft, teams must now sign a minimum of two Under-23 players in their final 19-player squads.
SA20 Season 4 promises high-energy cricket, thrilling matchups, and enhanced fan experiences.
