SA20 has been great - AB de Villiers

Adam Drury interviews the iconic South African player, AB de Villiers about the SA20. SA20 is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa which is organized by Cricket South Africa (CSA). In its first iteration of 2023, it is being contested by six teams - Durban’s SuperGiants, Joburg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern cape.  

Drury asks Villiers how the South African cricketing team can return to his glorious ‘dominating’ days. Villiers acknowledges the impact that SA20 can have on their cricket as it enables the players to obtain a ‘global exposure’. The players, who regarded themselves as just domestic players, are suddenly being watched all over the world due to such franchise platforms. Some of these players could even go on to feature in other global franchise competitions, further boosting their confidence and performances. 

The story of SA20 being established is also an interesting one. 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 per cent share, while broadcaster SuperSport has a 30% share, and former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chief Operating Officer Sundar Raman, has the remaining 20 per cent. All six SA20 teams were bought by franchises from the IPL.  

In an earlier conversation with Betway Insider , Villiers had said that "I think the SA20 comes at a really good time for South African cricket…we have seen the amazing things these leagues have done to the cricket and…in particular to give our youngsters the base and the foundation to get exposure at the highest level against the best players in the world is what's it all about." 

However, in the blog, Villiers acknowledges the ‘scheduling issues’ being faced in the SA20. Villiers says that these franchise competitions should schedule their games in such a way that the players remain interested in international cricket as well, as that only should be their ‘ultimate’ aim. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) does find it very difficult to arrange schedules for these franchise cricket among all the ongoing international games, Villiers says. Audiences, however, are always hungry and excited for such franchise events, watching all of their favorite players clamping together with youngsters regardless of their country of origin.  

Villiers, who also made his commentary debut with the SA20, has high hopes for it. He feels that this first season has nothing short of being a great one. But Villars is hopeful that one day, it would result in top-class international cricket as well.