MEET THE BETWAY SA20 'OG' XI (PLUS 12TH MAN)

With the countdown to the much-anticipated Betway SA20 Season 4 in full swing, there is a select group of players that will feature in their fourth season for their respective teams. 

These individuals have become synonymous with the identities and legacies of their teams.

1& 2. Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen (MI Cape Town)

Runs: 1012, HS: 98, Ave: 44, SR: 162.70, 100s: 0, 50s: 8

Runs: 964, HS: 104, Ave: 37.07, SR: 133.14, 100s: 1, 50s: 3

It is impossible to separate this pair as they are entwined in the fabric of MI Cape Town. The duo have been phenomenal for the current champions at the top of the order, holding the record for the highest first-wicket partnership of 200 against Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers in 2024 [watch the highlights]. Rickelton is the leading run-scorer in Betway SA20 history and is closely followed by his partner Van der Dussen in fourth place.

3. Faf du Plessis (Joburg Super Kings)

Runs: 894, HS: 113*, Ave: 33.11, SR: 142.82, 100s: 1, 50s: 7

The lion of the Super Kings. The skipper embodies JSK’s spirit and endeavour and leads from the front in every manner. The first batter to score a Betway SA20 century, Du Plessis is etched into Super Kings history. Loves playing at the Wanderers and is a firm favourite with passionate Bullring fans. Now 41 years old, but still as fit and sharp as ever, Du Plessis would want nothing more than to lead the Super Kings to a maiden Betway SA20 championship to cap off his career with Yellow Nation.

4. Tristan Stubbs (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)

Runs: 723; HS: 66*, Ave: 32.86, SR: 140.11 100s: 0; 50s: 3

The newly-appointed Sunrisers captain is the life and soul of the Eastern Cape franchise. A local boy that lives a stone’s throw from St George’s Park loves nothing more than to play before his friends and family. Similarly, the Orange Army, in tune with the St George’s Park brass band, show the greatest amount of love for Stubbs - their favourite son. A new challenge awaits Stubbs as captain, taking over from the great Aiden Markram, and it will be fascinating to see if he approaches it with the same attacking and refreshing mindset that he normally plays the game with.

5. Heinrich Klaasen (Durban's Super Giants)

Runs: 1008, HS: 104*, Ave: 42, SR: 172.89, 100s: 1, 50s: 9

A Pretoria local that loves life on the East Coast. One of the cleanest strikers of a white-ball, Klaasen has been phenomenal for the Super Giants by becoming the first player to breach the Betway SA20 1000-run milestone. The hard-hitting middle-order batter won the Betway SA20 Player of the Season award in Season 2, but would no doubt have swapped it for a winner's medal as DSG finished runners-up to Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Could Season 4 be the one for both Klaasen and the Super Giants to finally lift the coveted trophy?

6. David Miller (Paarl Royals)

Runs: 701; HS: 75*, Ave: 36.89, SR: 127.22 100s: 0; 50s: 1

Pretty in pink is all Miller knows in Betway SA20. The Royals skipper has held the fort for the Boland Park-based franchise and has loved his time under the Drakenstein mountains. He is the undisputed leader of the Royals, having guided his side to three consecutive Playoffs finishes, including the first team to remain undefeated in all five home matches last season.

7. Donovan Ferreira (Joburg Super Kings)

Runs: 452; HS: 82*, Ave: 22.60, SR: 151.17, 100s: 0; 50s: 3

Launched his JSK career in spectacular fashion with a blistering half-century (including delivering the first Betway Catch R2-Million winner) and has never looked back. Ferreira is a blockbuster batter that hits a very long ball, and really enjoys playing at the Bullring on the Highveld where the ball sails into the stands.

8. Marco Jansen (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)

Wickets: 47, BBI: 5/30, Ave: 19.38, Eco: 7.2, 4w: 2, 5w: 1

Runs: 486; HS: 71*, Ave: 28.58, SR: 142.94, 100s: 0; 50s: 3

The current Betway SA20 MVP has been integral to the two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s success. A force with the ball, Jansen is the leading wicket-taker in the history of Betway SA20, and has also made valuable contributions with the bat lower down the order. Signed as Wildcard for Season 4, Jansen will be eager to help the Sunrisers regain their Betway SA20 crown this coming season.

9. George Linde (MI Cape Town)

Wickets: 24, BBI: 5/30, Ave: 25.87, Eco: 7.3, 4w: 1, 5w: 0

Runs: 339; HS: 63*, Ave: 24.21, SR: 142.43, 100s: 0; 50s: 1

Proudly, the only born-and-bred Capetonian in the MI Cape Town squad from the outset, Linde's all-round contributions have been invaluable to his team. The left-arm spinner takes crucial wickets in tandem with spin partner and captain Rashid Khan, while he also bashes the ball a mile at the backend of the innings.

10. Bjorn Fortuin (Paarl Royals)

Wickets: 31, BBI: 3/14, Ave: 26.87, Eco: 6.69, 4w: 0, 5w: 0

A son of the soil at the Royals, Fortuin has made Boland Park his fortress. The left-arm spinner is the epitome of consistency and is tailormade for the conditions and has routinely provided the Royals with a strong start in the bowling Powerplay due to his economical spells. Deeply passionate about playing before his home crowd, Fortuin is the embodiment of the Royals’ values.

11. Kagiso Rabada (MI Cape Town)

Wickets: 32, BBI: 4/25, Ave: 22.06, Eco: 7.66, 4w: 1, 5w: 0

The MI Cape Town spearhead is the epitome of consistency. Despite MI Cape Town failing to reach the Playoffs in the first two seasons, thereby missing out on potentially three games each season, Rabada is still ranked No 3 on the all-time Betway SA20 wicket-takers chart. Was an integral part of MI Cape Town winning their first title and will be eager to deliver another fantastic season for the Newlands-side to go back-to-back.

12. Jordan Hermann (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)

Runs: 666; HS: 106*, Ave: 25.61, SR: 113.86, 100s: 1; 50s: 3

A late addition to the Sunrisers’ squad after being called up as a Wildcard in Season 1, Hermann has grasped his opportunities with both hands. The Betway SA20 Rising Star has grown into one of the leading performers in the competition, attracting praise from none other than the legendary AB de Villiers. Hermann enjoyed a breakout moment in Season 2 with a scintillating century at Newlands against MI Cape Town and will have greater responsibility this coming season in the absence of former captain Aiden Markram.

*Honourable mentions go out to MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan (missed Season 2 through injury), Joburg Super Kings quick Nandre Burger (missed Season 3 through injury) and Will Jacks who was due to complete a fourth straight season with Pretoria Capitals before his Ashes call-up for England.