The revamped competition will see 18 counties split into three groups of six, with each side playing 12 group-stage matches before the knockout rounds. The final takes place at Edgbaston in Birmingham on 18 July.
Several Proteas and domestic stars have secured overseas deals, although not all of them will be available from the opening weekend due to international and other franchise commitments.
Tristan Stubbs headlines the South African involvement after signing for Hampshire Hawks.
However, the explosive batter is still tied up with IPL commitments with the Delhi Capitals and will only join Hampshire once the tournament in India concludes.
Hampshire have brought in fellow South African all-rounder Delano Potgieter as cover.
While this will be the 25-year-old Stubbs’ first T20 Blast campaign, he has extensive T20 franchise experience in the IPL, SA20 and The Hundred, while Potgieter played for the Paarl Royals in the SA20
The pair will join veteran Hampshire seamer Kyle Abbott as the Hawks look to go one better than last season when they lost in the final to Somerset.
Essex, meanwhile, will again lean heavily on veteran spinner Simon Harmer, who captains the side in the Blast.
Harmer will be joined by Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder who is confirmed to be available for Essex’s first six Blast matches.
Hard-hitting David Bedingham returns to Durham for another campaign after cementing his reputation as one of county cricket’s most consistent run-scorers.
Former Protea and Glamorgan veteran Colin Ingram will again be a kingpin for the Welsh county in the competition.
Kent, meanwhile, have recruited two South Africans in Dian Forrester and Keith Dudgeon.
Forrester’s availability, though, will be interrupted by South Africa A commitments as he has been selected for three one-day fixtures against England Lions from 5-9 June.
Forrester’s was signed as a replacement for fellow South African Senuran Muthusamy who was not released by Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the Blast after picking up a knee injury.
Gloucestershire have signed left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder Duan Jansen for the opening six matches of the tournament, while pace bowler Eathan Bosch links up with Middlesex.
South African spin bowling all-rounder George Linde has been signed by Notts for the Blast.
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
