Chris Morris predicts the ‘most sought-after player’ in SA20 2025 auction

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As the highly anticipated SA20 Season 4 auction approaches on September 9 in Johannesburg, former South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris has shared his prediction for who will become the most coveted player among franchises. With a pool of emerging talent and seasoned stars, this auction is poised to reshape the teams ahead of the new season’s start.

Aiden Markram, who captained the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to consecutive SA20 titles in 2023 and 2024 and guided them to runners-up position in 2025, is expected to be the marquee player in this auction. Despite his stellar leadership and batting credentials, Markram has opted to enter the auction rather than staying on through a direct retention by his previous team. However, the Sunrisers retain the option to reclaim him using the newly introduced Right to Match (RTM) card, adding excitement to the bidding drama.

Morris stated on SuperSport, “My prediction is that Aiden Markram will be the most sought-after player this auction. There are always surprises, but he’s definitely the hot property.”

He highlights Markram’s consistent top-class performances and transformative impact on the franchise as reasons for the intense franchise interest. Markram’s availability is anticipated to ignite fierce bidding wars as teams look to build strong leadership and batting units for the upcoming season.

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Morris highlighted several other players likely to spark intense bidding wars, particularly young South African talents Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke.

“Alongside him, Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke could also spark bidding wars – if a team misses out on Markram, they’ll likely go after Brevis, and if not Brevis, then Breetzke,” Morris added.

The former all-rounder specifically mentioned Brevis as a key target for Pretoria Capitals, who are now coached by former India captain Sourav Ganguly.

“Brevis, in particular, with the form he’s in, is absolute hot property, and given he’s from Pretoria, it would be a huge boost for the Capitals if they managed to sign him,” Morris noted.

Jordan Hermann, another emerging batting talent, was also identified as a player who could attract significant interest. The 23-year-old left-handed batter has been making headlines with impressive performances in domestic cricket, including an unbeaten 186 against New Zealand A.

The auction pool features 541 players, including international stars like James Anderson, Shakib Al Hasan, and various English talents. With 72 slots available across six franchises and a collective purse of USD 7.37 million, the auction represents the second-highest salary cap in franchise cricket after the IPL.

Stephen Cook, SA20’s Head of Cricket Operations, expressed excitement about the auction’s new dynamics. The tournament has introduced several significant changes, including the elimination of the rookie draft and the mandatory inclusion of two Under-23 South African players in each 19-member squad. Teams also have access to RTM cards for the first time, allowing them to retain players from their previous season’s roster by matching winning bids.

“The auction structure ensures teams remain balanced and competitive while also refreshing their squads with the best young talent and overseas stars. It’s a wonderful opportunity for franchises to invest in players, with each team allocated USD 2.3 million,” Cook stated in a media release.

With Pretoria Capitals holding the largest purse of USD 1.86 million and 13 slots to fill, the September 9 auction promises to be a pivotal moment for South African cricket as franchises look to reshape their squads for the upcoming season beginning December 26.

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