England’s Test captain Joe Root and Australian star Mitchell Marsh have been signed for the upcoming fifth season of SA20. The move came as all six franchises named their signings, retentions and releases ahead of the auctions that are set to take place on October 7th. 

Paarl Royals have signed Root and Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. Durban Super Giants have managed to add all-rounder Sam Curran to the team. The left-arm seamer was one of the massive reasons behind England’s success in the ODI series against India. 

Marsh and Bangladesh spinner Rishad Hossain have been signed by defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape. England wicketkeeper batter Phil Salt and Australian Matthew Short are set to play for Pretoria Capitals. MI Cape Town have announced Will Jacks as their lone signing. 

The 35-year-old Root has already played eight games in the league for Paarl, scoring 279 runs with a best of 92 not out. He also hit three fifties in the 2024/25 season and recorded an average of 55.8 and a strike rate of 140. 

Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis has been released by Joburg Super Kings ahead of the player auction. Veteran spin bowler Imran Tahir was also released. Trent Boult, Kieron Pollard, and Rassie van der Dussen ended their stints with the Men in Blue and Gold as the trio were not retained.

Former skipper and league commissioner Graeme Smith reacted to the recent outcome. “Season 5 is shaping up to be our strongest so far. We have brought players like Marsh, Root, Curran, and Salt, which has put the league on the global stage. What excites me the most is seeing the quality of players share the dugout with South Africa’s best international and domestic players.”

Final list of SA20 stars ahead of player auction

Sunrisers Eastern Cape 

James Coles, Lewis Gregory, Rishad Hossain, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Milne, Matthew Bretzkee, Quinton de Kock, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell van Buuren, CJ King, JP King, Marco Jansen 

Slots left – two 

MI Cape Town 

Will Jacks, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Corbin Bosch, Reeza Hendricks, Thomas Kaber, George Linde, Dane Piedt, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren, Tristan Luus. Kagiso Rabada

Slots Left – six

Joburg Super Kings 

Leus du Plooy, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, James Vince, Matthew De Villiers, Donovan Ferreira, Dian Forrester, Duan Jansen, Rilee Rossouw, Janco Smit, Prenalen Subrayan, Jarren Bacher’

Slots left – 7

Pretoria Capitals 

Sherfane Rutherford, Phil Salt, Matthew Short, Connor Esterhuizen, Wihaan Lubbe, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Bryce Barson, Gideon Peters, Lizaad Williams, Codi Yusuf, Dewald Brevis, Andre Russell, Bayanda Majola

Slots left: 5

Durban Super Giants 

Jos Buttler, Devon Conway, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Sunil Narine, Kane Williamson, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Eathan Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Daryn Dupavillion, Simon Harmer, Evan Jones, Aiden Markram, Kyle Simmonds, Kwena Maphaka, Andile Simelane, Heinrich Klaasen

Slots Left – 0 

Paarl Royals 

Daniel Lawrence, Gudakesh Motie, Joe Root, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sikandar Raza, Thomas Rew, Asa Tribe, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Ottneil Baartman, Bjorn Fortuin, Rubin Hermann, Keagan Lion-Catchet, David Miller, Delano Potgieter, Kyle Verreynne, Hardus Viljoen, JJ Basson, Nqobani Mokoena, Lhuan Dre- Pretorius 

Slots left -0