Since its launch, the SA20 league has rapidly made a name for itself as South Africa’s best T20 league, drawing elite players from across the world and developing local talent. Following each season’s champions demonstrates the league’s competitiveness and the rise of powerful teams. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the championship in the first season of 2023, demonstrating their depth in both bowling and batting and establishing a standard for subsequent teams. In 2024, they successfully defended their championship, demonstrating their dependability, strategic understanding, and capacity for high-pressure play.
With teams like the Durban Super Giants, MI Cape Town, and Joburg Super Kings vying for supremacy, the 2025 season featured fierce rivalry, reflecting the league’s increasing excitement and competitiveness. Every club is bolstering its rosters with clever player purchases as the SA20 progresses into 2026, and fans are excited to see which team will emerge victorious.
In addition to winning trophies, SA20 champions have made a substantial impact on South African cricket by providing a stage for up-and-coming players to excel, receive recognition abroad, and motivate the youth. The league’s winners represent not just superior play but also the growing professionalism and competitive spirit of South African franchise cricket.
Season-wise Winners
From the beginning, the SA20 has produced some exciting champions. Consistently dominating, Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first-ever 2023 title and repeated their triumph in 2024. The league is now more competitive after the 2025 edition saw the crowning of a new winner, MI Cape Town, but supporters are still anxiously awaiting the 2026 winner.
2023: Sunrisers Eastern Cape
As the Sunrisers Eastern Cape overcame the Pretoria Capitals by four wickets to become the first champions, Roelof van der Merwe was the star of the SA20 final. Captain Aidren Markram chose to field first after the Sunrisers won the toss. With a partnership of 33 runs in the opening four overs, Phil Slat and Kusal Mendis got the Capitals off to a strong start.
They demonstrated exceptional performance under pressure, especially during the knockout stages when they maintained composure in the face of formidable opponents. They had the advantage at critical times because key players continually delivered, displaying both local skill and international experience.
2024: Sunrisers Eastern Cape
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, led by Aiden Markram, defeated Keshav Maharaj’s Durban Super Giants easily to successfully defend the SA20 championship. The Sunrisers won their second title by dominating from beginning to end at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. Neither of the match’s innings saw Durban truly get into the contest. Durban, who were sent to bowl first in the final, conceded 204 runs and managed just 115 runs in 17 overs.
The Sunrisers’ finest player, 23-year-old phenom Marco Jansen, took five wickets for just 30 runs in his four overs. With the exception of Jansen, Daniel Worall, Simon Harmer, and Ottniel Baartman all claimed wickets and completed a wonderful job for their team. Despite having a difficult start to the season, Sunrisers ended strong and won the event for the sixth time in a row. Durban never really got going in the final, chasing 204. They were under pressure after taking four wickets in the first ten overs, but the game was truly ended by Heinrich Klaasen and Matthew Breetzke, who were both in excellent form, taking wickets in the eleventh over.
2025: MI Cape Town
On February 8, MI Cape Town defeated Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the reigning champions, handily to win their first-ever SA20 championship and put a stop to their ambitions of a historic three-peat. Kagiso Rabada’s outstanding bowling performance helped Rashid Khan’s team, who had struggled in the previous two seasons, put up a strong all-around effort and win by 76 runs.
MI Cape Town chose to bat first at Highveld, and their top order took full advantage of the batting-friendly circumstances by coming out with an aggressive mentality. Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Dewald Brevis and George Linde made vital cameos that kept the scoreboard moving. MI Cape Town has solidified their position as a formidable force in SA20 cricket with their decisive victory, mostly in an effort to equal the reputation of their sister team, the Mumbai Indians, in the IPL. The dominant streak of Sunrisers Eastern Cape was decisively ended, and MI’s inaugural championship may usher in a new era for the team.
Conclusion: Who Will Win the SA20 Trophy in 2026?
South African cricket has gained international prominence thanks to the SA20, which has swiftly developed into one of the most thrilling and competitive franchise T20 competitions in the world. In addition to well-known match winners, each season has included bright new players who have taken advantage of the opportunity to shine and advance toward international careers.
The improving levels of competitiveness are demonstrated by the success of clubs like Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who have already established a legacy with several titles. Fans are guaranteed excitement and unpredictability as other franchises continue to grow and challenge. The SA20’s greatest influence goes beyond trophies; it has been instrumental in reviving South African cricket, generating possibilities, and cultivating a devoted following both domestically and abroad.
In the future, it is anticipated that the SA20 would gain prominence, draw even more international talent, and establish itself with other top T20 tournaments. It is a pillar of contemporary cricket because of its unique combination of ability, enjoyment, and opportunity, which guarantees a bright future.
