SA20 League Commissioner praises significant investment in South African economy

Betway SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith has hailed the significant investment of the six franchises into the South African economy following the record-breaking Season 4 Player auction.

Records were shattered at the auction in Johannesburg on 9 September, with an aggregate of R129.3 million spent on 84 players, with the large sum of R116.9 million reserved for South African talent.

Rising stars such as 22-year-old Dewald Brevis benefited from a record-breaking R16.5 million deal from the Pretoria Capitals, while Proteas T20I captain Aiden Markram was purchased for R14 million by Durban’s Super Giants.

The commitment to developing the future of South African cricket and its sustainability was equally significant with over R22 million invested on young talented players aged Under-23. Highly rated teenager Kwena Maphaka walked away with a R2.3 million purse from Durban’s Super Giants. 

“It is exciting to see the investment back into South African cricket,” Betway SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith said after the auction.  

“This is an investment that was never there. The franchises have come and they've invested properly. You see they're getting behind the South African players.”

The six franchises’ commitment to South Africa stretches beyond their player investment.

The impact on the overall South African economy and public has yielded incredible results over the past three years. 

Season 1 saw R1.4 billion direct expenditure into South Africa with 8223 annualised employment opportunities created and R4.1 billion contributing to South Africa’s GDP with R958 million poured to household income. 

This grew exponentially in Season 2 with R4.3 billion contributing to the GDP with R1.5 billion direct expenditure into the country and R998 million contributing to household income.

Season 3 has since surpassed these numbers with the total direct expenditure generated amounting to R1.8 billion - an increase of R0.3 billion.

The GDP impact figures grew exponentially from R4.3 billion to approximately R5.3 billion, while the annualised employment opportunities rose to 8,199 in 2025 with the total contribution to household income also passing the billion-rand mark for the first time to R1.4 billion.

These figures have an immense economic ripple effect regarding supporting local businesses and stimulating job creation.

Commercially, the viability of the League has been supported by a number of key partners who have reaffirmed their commitment with renewed multi-year investments ahead of Season 4. 

Betway continues to be the title partner, maintaining its long-standing association with the League since inception. 

Telecommunications giant and South Africa’s leading 5G and 4G network operator, rain, has renewed its partnership for a further three years, bringing innovative activations and connectivity to fans across South Africa. 

Additionally, Switch Energy Drink has extended its partnership as the Official Energy Drink Partner for another three years, promising high-energy activations and fan experiences. 

One of Africa’s largest financial services group, Absa, will continue their association with Betway SA20 as the Official Banking Partner for the upcoming season. 

The new partnership follows a successful inaugural collaboration in Season 3, which saw the bank leverage opportunities to reward fans and cardholders across 34 matches.

Absa will continue to build on the strategic innovation which brought its brand to life in incredible fashion, maximising on entertainment and fan-first activations for the anticipated fourth season starting on 26 December.