SA20 2026 Retentions: Root, Marsh, Curran and Holder Among Biggest Names Confirmed

SA20 franchises have locked in the majority of their squads ahead of the Season 5 player auction, with Joe Root, Mitchell Marsh, Sam Curran and Jason Holder among the biggest names retained or signed before the October 7 event.

While Durban's Super Giants and Paarl Royals have already completed their 19-player squads, the remaining four franchises still have vacancies to fill, leaving 19 auction spots available across the league as teams fine-tune their title ambitions for the 2026-27 season.

Durban and Paarl show their hand before the auction

Durban's Super Giants arguably boast the most star-studded squad heading into the new season.

The franchise has assembled an overseas-heavy core featuring Jos Buttler, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Liam Livingstone, Sunil Narine and Sam Curran, while Heinrich Klaasen returns as the team's wildcard pick. South African internationals Aiden Markram, Gerald Coetzee and David Bedingham add further depth to a squad that has already reached its maximum strength before the auction.

Paarl Royals have also completed their roster, with England's Joe Root joining as their wildcard signing alongside captain David Miller, Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sikandar Raza and Azmatullah Omarzai.

Marsh, Salt and Russell headline new-look squads

Sunrisers Eastern Cape have strengthened their batting by bringing in Australia's Mitchell Marsh, who joins Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen in a squad that still has room for further additions.

Pretoria Capitals have also retained plenty of firepower despite entering the auction with vacancies. Phil Salt, Matthew Short, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford and Dewald Brevis headline their current squad, giving the franchise flexibility to target specialist bowlers next month.

MI Cape Town continue to rely on the spine that delivered success in previous campaigns, retaining Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Ryan Rickelton, Kagiso Rabada and Will Jacks.

Joburg Super Kings, meanwhile, will head into the auction with the most work to do after retaining only 12 players, including Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Donovan Ferreira and Rilee Rossouw.

Several established names released before auction

The retention deadline also produced several notable omissions ahead of the October auction.

Joburg Super Kings parted ways with former captain Faf du Plessis, veteran spinner Imran Tahir, Nandre Burger, Reece Topley, Richard Gleeson and James Vince, all of whom will now enter the auction pool.

MI Cape Town released experienced campaigners Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Rassie van der Dussen and Dwaine Pretorius, while Durban's Super Giants let go of Noor Ahmad and David Wiese.

Pretoria Capitals also released a number of overseas players, including Shai Hope, Jordan Cox, Tymal Mills, Roston Chase and Will Smeed.

Those names significantly strengthen the auction pool, with franchises expected to target experienced overseas talent alongside emerging South African players.

October auction set to shape Season 5

Although most franchises have already established their core, the October 7 auction is expected to play a crucial role in determining the balance of the competition.

With 19 squad spots still available across four teams and several high-profile internationals returning to the player pool, franchises will now turn their attention to filling specialist roles before the fifth season of South Africa's franchise league gets underway.

Confirmed SA20 squads ahead of the auction

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: James Coles, Lewis Gregory, Rishad Hossain, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Milne, Matthew Breetzke, Quinton de Kock, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell van Buuren, CJ King (U23), JP King (U23), Marco Jansen (Wildcard).

Pretoria Capitals: Sherfane Rutherford, Phil Salt, Matthew Short, Connor Esterhuizen, Wihan Lubbe, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Bryce Parsons, Gideon Peters, Lizaad Williams, Codi Yusuf, Dewald Brevis (U23), Bayanda Majola (U23), Andre Russell (Wildcard).

Paarl Royals: Daniel Lawrence, Gudakesh Motie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sikandar Raza, Thomas Rew, Asa Tribe, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ottneil Baartman, Bjorn Fortuin, Rubin Hermann, Keagan Lion-Cachet, David Miller, Delano Potgieter, Kyle Verreynne, Hardus Viljoen, Jacob Johannes Basson (U23), Nqobani Mokoena (U23), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (U23), Joe Root (Wildcard).

MI Cape Town: Will Jacks, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Corbin Bosch, Reeza Hendricks, Thomas Kaber, George Linde, Dane Piedt, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren, Tristan Luus (U23), Kagiso Rabada (Wildcard).

Joburg Super Kings: Leus du Plooy, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Matthew de Villiers, Donovan Ferreira, Dian Forrester, Duan Jansen, Rilee Rossouw, Janco Smit, Prenelan Subrayen, Jarren Bacher (U23).

Durban's Super Giants: Jos Buttler, Devon Conway, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Sunil Narine, Kane Williamson, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Eathan Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Daryn Dupavillon, Simon Harmer, Evan Jones, Aiden Markram, Kyle Simmonds, Kwena Maphaka (U23), Andile Simelane (U23), Heinrich Klaasen (Wildcard).