The new season gets underway on 18 June, when Texas Super Kings host the Seattle Orcas in the opening fixture of the MLC year at Grand Prairie Stadium. For South African supporters, it is another familiar entry point into a league that continues to feature a strong contingent of Proteas experience and domestic talent, particularly within the Texas setup.
Led by captain Faf du Plessis and head coach Stephen Fleming, the Super Kings remain one of the most recognisable teams for SA audiences following the league from home. Du Plessis continues to provide leadership at the top of the order, while Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder add further South African international presence to a squad built around a blend of global and emerging American players.
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Alongside them are Akeal Hosein, Nandre Burger and Donovan Ferreira, but it is the South African core that gives the side a strong point of connection for viewers back home, especially as more Proteas players continue to explore opportunities in overseas T20 leagues.
Since the inaugural MLC season in 2023, Texas have reached the playoffs in every campaign, underlining their consistency in a competition still finding its long term identity. The franchise has also become a notable landing spot for South African cricketers extending their careers in new environments, while still operating within high performance systems.
“Leading this team out at Grand Prairie Stadium for another season is a moment I have been looking forward to,” said Faf du Plessis, Texas Super Kings captain. “The fans here in Grand Prairie have built something genuine over the past three seasons. We are ready to give them a season worth showing up for.”
For South African cricket followers, du Plessis remains the obvious headline, but there is growing interest in how players like Maharaj and Mulder integrate into a wider group that combines international experience with developing United States talent.
Co owner Anurag Jain pointed to the franchise’s long term intentions.
“We are delighted to be opening the 2026 season in Grand Prairie and showcasing what this franchise is building in Texas and across the United States,” said Anurag Jain, Texas Super Kings co-owner. “A squad of international standard, a growing pathway for young players to enter the game and a commitment to growing cricket at every level. The work continues this season.”
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The broader South African angle this season lies in scale rather than novelty. What was once a handful of familiar names in overseas leagues is now becoming a more consistent pipeline, with MLC offering another platform alongside established franchise competitions.
Texas begin their 2026 campaign against Seattle on 18 June, before a demanding run of fixtures between Texas and California that will test both depth and adaptability.
For South African audiences, the opening week offers a familiar mix: familiar faces in new conditions, and another reminder of how strongly the Proteas influence continues to run through the global T20 circuit.
Photo: REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas
