Betway SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith believes South Africa’s long association with Indian cricket has benefited the growth of the League both at home and on the subcontinent.
It was India that welcomed South Africa back into the international cricket arena with a first-ever three-match ODI series back in 1991. The two nations also compete for the ‘Friendship Trophy’ in Test cricket.
This bond has now been strengthened with a half dozen IPL franchises taking charge of all six teams competing in Betway SA20.
“Indian fans have always had a great relationship with South African cricket,” Smith said at the recent ‘SA20 India Day’ in Mumbai. “I think probably if you ask most Indian fans, they would say South Africa is their second team.
“And then I think, obviously, the affiliation with the IPL franchises is a start. I mean, there’s already a very strong Indian fan base for the six teams.”
Smith also felt that having an Indian broadcaster, JioHotstar, in association with Betway SA20 is a major benefit to growing the League abroad.
“You need to have a partner on the ground that can help you build your brand. And JioHotstar has really supported us extremely well in that phase,” Smith said.
“Being backed by JioHotstar, being pushed in the product, being able to access so many more eyeballs does help.”
The IPL has long been a hotbed for unearthing young Indian talent, and Smith believes that Betway SA20 has provided a similar platform for South Africa’s rising stars to shine over the past three seasons.
“In the regulations, this year we had the Under-23s. We also had Rookie contracts to start in the last two years,” Smith said.
“The franchises have been very good at scouting and looking at attracting a younger player. Obviously then, those younger players being exposed to a high quality of players. We’ve seen that the IPL has developed that really well over the years, and it’s something that’s important for us to develop.
“The one thing that SA20 does offer is a global platform for 60, 70 South African players. Where in the past, as a fan of South African cricket, you would only ever see the players that played for South Africa.
“So now, with the global platform, youngsters and everyone else has a chance to perform well, and they’re getting picked up at IPL, they’re getting picked for their country. I think last year, there were 17 or 18 South African players involved in the IPL [13 retained for 2026], which is the most from a foreign representative.
“So these are things that are exciting, that players are getting their platform, and then the likes of Lhuan-dre Pretorius or (Kwena) Maphaka as youngsters can go on and get picked in other places.”
BETWAY SA20 PLAYERS RETAINED FOR IPL 2026
Noor Ahmad (Chennai Super Kings), Corbin Bosch (Mumbai Indians), Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Matthew Breetzke (Lucknow Super Giants), Dewald Brevis (Chennai Super Kings), Nandre Burger (Rajasthan Royals), Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans), Donovan Ferreira (Rajasthan Royals), AM Ghazanfar (Mumbai Indians), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings), Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans), Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Eshan Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Kwena Maphaka (Rajasthan Royals), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders), Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow Super Giants), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Rajasthan Royals), Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians), Sherfane Rutherford (Mumbai Indians), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals)
*IPL Player Auction will take place on 16 December 2025
