Aiden Markram, skipper for Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s back-to-back SA20 titles in 2023 and 2024, has declined the offer of retention and will instead place himself in the player auction scheduled for 9 September. The 30-year-old, also the franchise’s leading run-scorer, informed the management earlier this week, giving them time to consider whether to use their single right-to-match (RTM) card on the day.
Markram’s move is significant rather than shocking. He finished last season as the tournament’s third-highest run-getter and guided Sunrisers to a runner-up spot, so his auction price is expected to swell. An internal source described the decision as “professional rather than emotional”, adding that the player “just wants to know his market value”. No official comment has yet come from Markram himself.
Retention rules tightened
For the fourth edition of SA20, franchises are limited to six retentions or pre-signings, the fewest since the league began in 2022. A revised wildcard slot now lets teams sign one additional player—local or overseas—outside the purse. With 72 of 102 total squad places still open, the auction is shaping up as the largest in the competition’s short history.
The salary cap nudges up slightly to R41 million (around US$2.31 million). That rise, though modest, could prove decisive if several teams chase the same marquee names. Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Faf du Plessis and Marco Jansen are already locked in, while Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Jos Buttler headline the overseas list.
Sunrisers’ balancing act
Sunrisers now face a delicate call. Matching an expected top-tier bid would leave less room for squad depth, yet letting their captain walk could unsettle a settled line-up. “The RTM gives us flexibility,” a franchise official said. “We’ll assess on auction day.” That flexibility, however, can only be exercised once.
Elsewhere, franchises have already shown their hand. MI Cape Town retained Trent Boult and Rashid Khan, Johannesburg Super Kings kept Faf du Plessis, while Durban Super Giants used their wildcard on Heinrich Klaasen. Those moves leave room for tactical late bids.
Calendar relief
One small victory for all parties: the fixture list now overlaps only briefly with the UAE’s ILT20. SA20 begins on Boxing Day, while the ILT20 runs from 2 December to 4 January. Reduced clash means fewer headaches over player availability—welcome news for coaches and fans alike.
Current squad lists
MI Cape Town
Retained: Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Ryan Rickleton, Kagiso Rabada, George Linde, Corbin Bosch
Pre-signed: Nicholas Pooran
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Retained: Tristan Stubbs
Pre-signed: Jonny Bairstow, AM Ghazanfar, Adam Milne
Wildcard: Marco Jansen
Johannesburg Super Kings
Retained: Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira
Pre-signed: James Vince, Akeal Hosein
Pretoria Capitals
Pre-signed: Andre Russell, Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford
Paarl Royals
Retained: Lhuan-de-Pretorius, David Miller, Bjorn Fortuin
Pre-signed: Sikandar Raza, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman
Durban Super Giants
Retained: Noor Ahmed
Pre-signed: Sunil Narine, Jos Buttler
Wildcard: Heinrich Klaasen
What next?
Sunrisers have until the auction’s final hammer to decide whether Markram is still central to their plans. Should they pass, the league’s most decorated captain suddenly becomes fair game for every other side. With batting stability and leadership both at a premium, few would bet against a bidding war.
