SA20 League: Dewald Brevis Shatters Records with R16.5m SA20 Auction Deal
South Africa’s rising cricket star, Dewald Brevis, has officially become the headline act of the fourth SA20 player auction. This is after being snapped up for an eye-watering R16.5 million by the Pretoria Capitals. The 22-year-old, fondly known as “Baby AB” for his batting resemblance to AB de Villiers, continues to cement his place as one of the most sought-after young talents in world cricket.
Having previously featured for MI Cape Town in the first three seasons of the tournament, Brevis now returns “home”. His explosive hitting and match-changing ability make him a natural fit for the shortest format of the game.
“He’s a game changer,” new Capitals coach Sourav Ganguly declared after the record-breaking signing.
Big-Name Transfers Shake Up the Auction
While Brevis dominated the headlines, several other Proteas also attracted hefty bids. National T20 captain Aiden Markram, who led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back titles, was sold to Durban’s Super Giants for R14 million. Meanwhile, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder fetched R9 million, joining the Joburg Super Kings.
Markram, currently on national duty in England, admitted it felt unusual to follow the auction from afar.
“It’s a weird one, but it happens quite often nowadays. You don’t have any say, so however the cards fall, that’s how it goes,” he explained.
Other notable moves included Quinton de Kock shifting to Sunrisers Eastern Cape for R2.4 million. Lungi Ngidi is heading to Paarl Royals for R2.3 million. Spinner Keshav Maharaj was bought by Pretoria Capitals for R1.7 million, while teenage sensation Kwena Maphaka joined Durban’s Super Giants for R2.3 million.
Also read: SA20 League: 30 Players Confirmed Ahead of Fourth Season
New Generation Stars Making Their Mark
The auction also highlighted the growing depth of South African cricket. Nandre Burger attracted a R6.3 million bid from Joburg Super Kings. Rassie van der Dussen will wear MI Cape Town colours after going for R5.2 million, with paceman Anrich Nortje switching to the Sunrisers for R5 million.
Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee commanded R7.4 million from Durban’s Super Giants, and Ottniel Baartman went for R5.1 million to Paarl Royals, underlining the appetite for young quicks in the league.
Building Towards a Blockbuster Season
With MI Cape Town entering as defending champions, the fourth edition of the SA20 promises fireworks when it kicks off on 26 December and runs until 25 January. The bumper bids at this year’s auction reflect the tournament’s rising stature and its ability to attract global attention.
For Pretoria Capitals, all eyes will be on Dewald Brevis. His record-breaking deal is not just an investment in talent but also a statement of intent. Supporters in the capital will be eager to see if the young star can deliver on his growing reputation and propel the team to its first SA20 title.
As the dust settles on a dramatic auction, one thing is clear: the spotlight will shine brightest on Brevis, the man whose R16.5 million price tag has made him the face of this year’s tournament.
Related article: SA20 Returns! Season 4 Schedule Drops Ahead of December–January Holiday Matches
