Betway SA20 Unveils the “20th Player” as Season 4 Countdown Hits 100 Days

The festive countdown is on — in exactly 100 days, the fourth edition of the Betway SA20 explodes into action, with defending champions MI Cape Town facing Durban’s Super Giants at Newlands on 26 December.

And this year, the league is adding something special: the “20th Player” initiative, designed to put fans at the centre of the action by giving them a voice through some of South Africa’s most popular personalities.

After last week’s drama-filled player auction finalised all six 19-man squads, the spotlight now shifts to the fans. Each of the six franchises will be represented by a celebrity “20th Player,” who will bring energy, humour, and a sense of local pride to their city’s campaign.

Meet the 20th Players

• Durban – Schalk Bezuidenhout: The comedian promises unmatched vibes in eThekwini.
• Johannesburg – Moshe Ndiki: Actor, presenter, and entertainer set to light up the Highveld.
• Cape Town – Nadia Jaftha: Influencer and TikTok star ready to lead the trends.
• Paarl – Vafa Naraghi: Content creator bringing comedic flair to the Boland.
• Pretoria – Leandie du Randt: Actress and content queen rallying fans across Tshwane.
• Gqeberha – Anele Mdoda: Radio host and media powerhouse bringing her Eastern Cape flair.

League Commissioner Graeme Smith says this is all about making fans the heartbeat of the competition.

“Every team has 19 players in their squads, but it’s the energy of the fans that makes the difference – they are our 20th Players,” Smith explained.

Fan Energy Meets Festival Cricket

From behind-the-scenes content and ticket competitions to fan contests and merchandise giveaways, the 20th Players will be the link between the stadium and the streets. They’ll hype inter-city rivalries, fire up their communities, and bring the unmatched stadium “gees” straight to fans’ feeds.

Radio queen Anele Mdoda said her first taste of SA20 at the auction left her hungry for more:

“There is just so much about the SA20 that hooks you in. I simply cannot wait for the matches to start.”

For comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout, Durban’s festive matches are already top of the calendar:

“I didn’t know a lot about cricket before SA20, but now I’m sold. Durban will be the place to be, so look out for my shenanigans on and off the pitch.”

Fashion and lifestyle influencer Nadia Jaftha is also ready to inject her style into the campaign:

“It’s going to be great being in the mix of things, the electric atmosphere in the stadiums, the all-round ‘gees’ — I can’t wait!”

Season 4 Fixtures Loading

The curtain-raiser on 26 December at Newlands sets the tone for a bumper festive season of cricket, with 34 matches scheduled across the country. Tickets officially go on sale from 10 October at stadium box offices and ticketpro.co.za.

Smith says the aim is simple: to deliver cricket’s best summer party.

“This initiative is a celebration of our fans. In our new festive season timeslot, there will be something for everyone this season.”