The SA20 has delighted and shocked cricket fans in equal measure since its inception back in 2023 – and the countdown to the 2026 edition is on with MI Cape Town dominating thoughts.
As is the way with T20 cricket, fans are treated to massive shots, tumbling wickets, stunning catches and moments of madness.
While the Indian Premier League and Australian Big Bash are the two biggest domestic T20 tournaments in the world, the SA20 is quickly gaining a huge following both inside and outside of South Africa.
The competition, which is the premier Twenty20 cricket tournament in South Africa, was won by MI Cape Town in 2025, with this their first ever title. While Sunrisers Eastern Cape had dominated the early iterations, winning in both 2023 and 2024, MI’s win in 2025 feels significant.
Bookmakers agree with this sentiment, making MI Cape Town the team to beat in 2025-26 in the earlier betting markets. Next in line are two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape with the Durban Super Giants regarded as the underdogs with the bookies as revealed by Bets.com.au.
This comes after MI breezed to the top of the standings in 2025, winning seven of their 10 group games and losing just twice. MI easily beat second placed Paarl Royals in Qualifier 1 before hammering Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final by 76 runs to secure the trophy in some style.
Tasting defeat in just two of their 12 matches across the competition was incredibly impressive. The fact that they got stronger as the tournament went on was clear for all to see, with arguably their two best performances coming in Qualifier 1 and the Grand Final.
They were also the only side to return a positive net run rate in the group stage at +2.446, with second placed Paarl Royals the next best at -0.125.
In 2025, they were stacked with supreme talent. From captain Rashid Khan to bowlers Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada along with batsmen Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton, MI were just too good.
Of course, a new year brings renewed hope, with each side back on zero points. MI have also successfully placed a large target on their back, and most sides will make it their mission to unseat them.
Defending a trophy can be far harder than winning it the first time. Especially with turnover of quality players in the side, MI getting their hands on the trophy again will not be easy. However, Sunrisers Eastern Cape have shown it is possible by winning in 2023 and 2024.
Ultimately, we will have to wait until later in the year to see exactly how the teams will line up. This will have a massive bearing on where the trophy goes, as MI’s eyes will not only be on improving their own squad, it will also be on the other sides in the competition too.
While the odds suggest 2026’s iteration of the competition is MI’s to lose, it will not likely be so simple. T20 cricket is often a cruel game, and one day a side can be in top gear only to be skittled for next to nothing in the next.
Consistency will be key to ensuring MI come through on being the favourites, but each of the other sides will be desperate to ensure the reigning champions are left to ponder what might have been in 2026.
