Wikipedia - SA20

SA20, known as the Betway SA20 for sponsorship reasons, is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa, organised by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and first contested during the 2022–23 season. It is contested by six teams based in cities around the country. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of the tournament.

History

Cricket South Africa established the franchise T20 Global League in 2017. The inaugural season was deferred by a year due to the lack of a broadcast deal and title sponsor and in June 2018 was replaced by the Mzansi Super League, a league featuring six CSA-owned teams. Both the leagues became unsuccessful. The MSL ran for only two seasons, the 2020 and 2021 editions being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SA20 was established by CSA in 2022 through a newly formed entity, Africa Cricket Development (Pty) Limited (ACD). CSA is the majority stakeholder in ACD with a 50% share, while broadcaster SuperSport has a 30% share and former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chief Operating Officer Sundar Raman, the remaining 20%. All six of the teams were bought by franchises from the IPL. In July 2022, CSA announced that the One Day International series against Australia due to be played in January 2023 would be cancelled in order for SA20 to go ahead.

In August 2022, Graeme Smith was announced as the commissioner for the tournament. Later in the month, the marquee players for the first season were announced.

In December 2023 Cricket South Africa announced that it would send a makeshift Test team, comprising players with little or no Test cricket experience, to its scheduled two-Test tour of New Zealand in February 2024, to allow its best players to remain in South Africa to compete in the SA20. The decision was widely criticised.

SA20 is a prestigious cricket tournament held in South Africa, featuring the top cricket teams from the country. The tournament is played in the Twenty20 format, which adds an exciting and fast-paced element to the game. Fans can expect to see thrilling matches, intense rivalries, and top-notch cricketing talent on display. SA20 is a highly anticipated event in the South African cricket calendar, drawing in crowds of passionate supporters and showcasing the best of cricket in the country. With fierce competition and high stakes, SA20 promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable cricketing experience for players and fans alike.