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 Durban Super Giants, MI Cape Town, and Joburg Super Kings battling for supremacy, the recently concluded SA20 2026 season delivered fierce rivalries and high-quality cricket throughout the tournament. The intense competition highlighted the league’s growing stature and depth. As attention now turns to the next SA20 season, fans are already looking ahead to squad changes and fresh challenges to see which team can rise to the top next.
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
Since its inception, the SA20 has crowned thrilling champions. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the inaugural 2023 title and defended it in 2024, MI Cape Town claimed the 2025 crown, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape returned to glory in 2026, showcasing the league’s growing competitiveness.
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.
2026: Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the 2026 SA20 title, defeating Pretoria Capitals by 6 wickets at Newlands, Cape Town. Matthew Breetzke scored 68* and Tristan Stubbs 63* in a 114-run unbeaten partnership, guiding the chase of 159. Bowler Marco Jansen claimed 3 wickets for 28 runs, helping the Sunrisers secure their third SA20 championship after 2023 and 2024.
The team finished the season with 7 wins in 10 matches, consistently performing in both batting and bowling. Key players like Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, and Matthew Breetzke delivered crucial performances in high-pressure games, while the Sunrisers’ balanced bowling attack restricted opponents effectively. Their dominance in the league stages and ability to handle pressure in the knockout matches demonstrated why they remain one of SA20’s strongest sides.
Conclusion: Sunrisers Eastern Cape Hold Three SA20 Championships After 2026 Triumph
South African cricket has risen on the global stage thanks to the SA20, now one of the most exciting and competitive T20 leagues. The tournament has showcased both established stars and emerging talent making their mark.
Teams like Sunrisers Eastern Cape, with three titles (2023, 2024, 2026), and MI Cape Town in 2025 highlight the league’s competitiveness and unpredictability. Every season delivers thrilling matches and standout performances.
The SA20 continues to attract international talent, strengthen South African cricket, and build a growing fanbase, securing its place among the world’s top T20 leagues.
