All you need to know about the 2024 Betway SA20 Auction
The build-up to Betway SA20 Season 3 Auction in Cape Town on 1 October starts here!
Teams have finalised their list of retained players and pre-signings for the third edition of South Africa's premier T20 cricket league - confirmed to take place between 9 January and 8 February 2025.
At the Auction, teams will have the chance to fill in the gaps in their squad from a list of registered players, which were announced on 25 September 2024.
READ MORE: Season 3 squads as they stand | Season 3 Auction Player Shortlist | Rookie Draft Player List
Every player who enters the Auction will have a set reserve price. This is the lowest amount of money that they can be signed for. Of course, they could receive more money if a team wants to offer it... especially when a bidding war ensues!
THE AUCTION PROCESS
The Salary Cap
Each season teams are given a salary cap to spend on players. For Season 3, the salary cap is R39.1 million per team.
Player slots
Each team has 19 player slots in the final squad. 1 Wildcard, 1 Rookie player and the balance of 17 players. Minimum 10 SA players, Maximum 7 overseas players.
What is a Rookie?
A South African player aged 22 or younger on the day of the auction and who has never been contracted to Betway SA20 before. Players who meet this definition can be bought during the regular auction stage. If not chosen in the regular auction, then they will be eligible for the Rookie Draft. Rookie players have a set value, and each team must sign a Rookie and it is deducted from salary cap.
READ: How the inaugural class of Rookies fared in Season 2
What is a Wildcard?
This is a local or international player whose fee is excluded from the Salary Cap. The deadline for wildcard selection is 30 December 2024.
How do teams free up player slots?
- South African players – All SA players bought at auction in Season 1 were on 2-year contracts. Teams had the option to retain, trade or buy out these players.
- Overseas players – Overseas players could be released or retained.
After this, teams will have their preliminary squads and this determines the number of player slots and purse available at the auction. Post the auction, squads will be finalised for Season 3.
Rookie Draft Order
Teams will take turns to select rookie players at the Auction, and this order is the reverse of the final standings from Season 2:
- MI Cape Town
- Pretoria Capitals
- Joburg Super Kings
- Paarl Royals
- Durban's Super Giants
- Sunrisers Eastern Cape
