Last Updated on 1 week by Charbel Coorey
SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith believes T20 leagues like the UAE’s ILT20 are “not good for the game” as they field majority overseas players in playing XIs.
Ahead of what promises to be another big season of SA20 action, Smith believes the league prioritises local players with a minimum of seven South Africans required in a playing XI. Also, there must be at least 11 South African players in an SA20 squad of 19, including a local rookie player under the age of 22 not previously contracted to the tournament.
The ILT20, on the other hand, allows up to nine internationals in a playing XI. Both tournaments will run at the same time again.
SA20 invests more in local players than ILT20: Graeme Smith
Speaking at the captain’s day press conference on the eve of SA20 2025, Smith said, “We see ourselves as very different to the ILT20. We’re a South African league, with a majority of South African players and our ultimate goal is to benefit South African players.
“We’ve been built up against ILT20, so it’s very difficult for me to not come across like I’m bad-mouthing them, but I do feel like a league like that is not good for the game; that there’s that many international players required to build a team; there’s no investment back into local cricket. That is a challenge for the world game and something that needs to be managed going forward.”
The SA20 2025 season begins on January 9, starting with Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) against MI Cape Town (MICT). SEC won the title in each of the first two seasons, including a dominant performance in the 2024 final.
” I do feel like a league like that is not good for the game; that there’s that many international players required to build a team; there’s no investment back into local cricket.”
Graeme Smith on the UAE’s ilt20
Another big season is expected after ten sold out matches in SA20 2024. Also, 70% of the overall tickets available were sold. That and the SA20 investment in grassroots cricket has Smith excited.
“Our franchises are also starting to build academies and scouts and do things on the ground which will really benefit the ecosystem. We’re hoping in the next coming two to three years that you’ll really see the impact of SA20 at the grassroots level,” he said.
