Faf du Plessis on ETPL and associate cricket: 'Just imagine how strong cricket will be when every team has the same opportunities'

Faf du Plessis, Co-Owner and Captain of Rotterdam Dockers, has spoken about the growth of associate cricket and the opportunity the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) presents for the game globally. The ETPL's inaugural tournament is set to begin on August 26, with du Plessis among the overseas talent confirmed for the competition alongside Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Tim David and Heinrich Klaasen.

Jonty Rhodes is also a Co-Owner of Rotterdam Dockers, adding further South African cricket experience to the franchise's leadership. Du Plessis reflected on the 2026 T20 World Cup, where associate nations produced a series of notable performances, and said the ETPL can serve as a meaningful platform for the next stage of their development.

"We all expected the Associate Nations to step up and challenge the bigger teams at some point. I was amazed to see it happen in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and it was definitely my highlight. I was sitting at home watching and thinking, 'How good is this?' I found myself supporting the Associate teams every time. I was hoping they would get through on so many occasions, right till the end. It was great to see, and I believe it is a stepping stone for the future. With the ETPL coming in, just imagine how strong the game of cricket will be two, three, five, or ten years from now, when every team has the same opportunities, whether you are from Scotland or South Africa," Du Plessis said, speaking to ETPL.

Du Plessis pointed to two factors that drew him to the ETPL: the quality of the player pool and the league's early-stage potential. The confirmed overseas lineup includes Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, du Plessis himself and Heinrich Klaasen, a group that reflects the standard of talent seen in established leagues around the world.

"When you first hear about the ETPL, you wonder what it's all about. Then you look at the players involved, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, and others. You see the quality of overseas talent, including myself and Heinrich Klaasen. It's a top-class lineup, the kind you see in the best leagues around the world. The second thing is the opportunity. This league is still in its early stages. It's fresh, and no one has yet captured its full potential. That makes you want to be part of the journey," he added.

The 2026 T20 World Cup provided concrete evidence of associate cricket's progress, even as none of the associate nations advanced beyond the group stage. Italy marked their maiden T20 World Cup appearance with a 10-wicket victory over Nepal at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Scotland became the first associate nation to cross the 200-run mark in T20 World Cup history during their match against Italy. Canada's Yuvraj Samra scored a century against New Zealand, while the Netherlands came close to defeating Pakistan in the group stage, missing a catch in the 19th over. Rhodes believes the ETPL can give players from these nations the platform they have been missing.

"The most exciting part about the ETPL is the chance it gives to players from smaller cricketing nations. We have already seen glimpses of incredible talent from Scottish, Irish, and Dutch players. They have shown they can compete, but they haven't always had the right platform. Now, with the ETPL, they have a proper stage to take their game to the next level. They will get to play alongside and against some of the best players in the world. That exposure will only help them grow. This is exactly what European cricket needs to move forward," Rhodes said, speaking to the aforementioned source.