Cricket: Who is the favourite to win the 2026 SA20 title?
MI Cape Town fancied to retain SA20 crown in 2026
Launched in 2023, the SA20 has quickly become the biggest the most highly anticipated franchise T20 league in South Africa, featuring six city-based teams - MI Cape Town, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Durban Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, Pretoria Capitals and Paarl Royals.
For those keen-eyed readers, you may have noticed that the teams participating in the SA20 share very similar names to those in the Indian Premier League, and that is because all six sides are indeed owned by IPL franchise groups.
The first season of the competition saw the Sunrisers Eastern Cape clinch the title, and the Sun TV Network Limited-owned side followed up by defending their title in 2024. Last year, a new champion was crowned, with MI Cape Town beating the Sunrisers by 76 runs in the final.
For the upcoming campaign, it is the Mumbai Indians-owned franchise that sets off as the clear favourites with all the best betting sites in South Africa, followed by the Sunrisers, Super Giants, Super Kings, Capitals, and Royals, respectively.
The 2026 tournament kicks off on December 26, with MI Cape Town taking on Durban Super Giants at Newlands. There will be a total of 34 matches in the competition, including two Qualifiers, an Eliminator, and the Grand Final on January 25.
All six confirmed squads for 2026 SA20
Durban Super Giants: Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Devon Conway, Gerald Coetzee, David Bedingham, Marques Ackermann, Eathan Bosch, Andile Simelane, Tony de Zorzi, Dayyaan Galiem, Taijul Islam, Evan Jones, Gysbert Wege, David Wiese, Daryn Dupavillon
Joburg Super Kings: Wiaan Mulder, Nandre Burger, Prenalen Subrayen, Dian Forrester, Steve Stolk, Janco Smit, Neil Timmers, Shubham Ranjane, Brandon King, Rilee Rossouw, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Imran Tahir, Reece Topley
MI Cape Town: Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Tristan Luus, Jason Smith, Tom Moores, Dane Piedt, Tian van Vuuren, Dan Lategan, Tabraiz Shamsi, Karim Janat, Jacques Snyman
Paarl Royals: Ottneil Baartman, Gudakesh Motie, Delano Potgieter, Kyle Verreynne, Keagan Lion-Cachet, Asa Tribe, Hardus Viljoen, Jacon Johannes Basson, Dan Lawrence, Eshan Malinga, Nqobani Mokoena, Vishen Halambage, Nqaba Peter
Pretoria Capitals: Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Dewald Brevis, Lizaad Williams, Craig Overton, Saqib Mahmood, Codi Yusuf, Connor Esterhuizen, Bryce Parsons, Gideon Peters, Junaid Dawood, Will Smeed, Meeka-eel Prince, Bayanda Majola, Wihan Lubbe, Sibonelo Makhanya
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Anrich Nortje, Senuran Muthusamy, Patrick Kruger, Lutho Sipamla, Mitchell van Buuren, Jordan Hermann, Beyers Swanepoel, James Coles, Chris Wood, Lewis Gregory, CJ King, JP King
How to watch 2026 SA20 in South Africa and India
The 2026 SA20 is expected to be the most viewed edition of the competition to date, and DSTV will be covering every match between December 26 and January 25 on their home of champions, Supersport, across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
In India, JioHotstar holds the official digital streaming rights for the 2026 SA20, with every match available for free on the JioHotstar app and website. For TV viewers, the SA20 will be broadcast live on Star Sports.
