The SA20 Player Auction has taken place and produced several notable discussion points, with views from several key stakeholders in South African cricket. Super Giants wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen had words of advice for record-signing Dewald Brevis, Pretoria Capitals Head Coach Sourav Ganguly spoke about his team’s new acquisition, and League Commissioner Graeme Smith reflected on the growth and seriousness of the league. Klaasen emphasized the auction price for Brevis represents his past success and ultimately should not represent pressure for the future. He also indicated the sport is about ups and downs and new players must use the opportunity within the SA20 to show their ability with confidence.

“It’s important for Brevis to remember that the price tag he’s earned is because of what he’s already achieved, not what he still has to do. In this game, you can train as hard as you want and still get out on the first ball; that’s just part of the job. The price reflects his past performances, his work ethic, and the many boxes he’s ticked along the way, all of which give him the best chance to succeed,” said Klaasen.

“Over the next three years, I don’t see his team releasing him, so this period is about building towards the next auction and showing what more he can bring. But ultimately, that big price tag is a reward for his past performances and the potential everyone knows he has,” Klaasen added.

Ganguly on Brevis for SA20’s Rise

Pretoria Capitals Head Coach Sourav Ganguly compared SA20’s growing stature to the IPL, highlighting the value of domestic players in franchise cricket. “As you’ve seen in the IPL, domestic players hold immense value, and it’s the same across world cricket, including here in South Africa. It was expected that players like Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis would attract big bids given their availability and the number of retentions. Brevis is an exciting talent; his game has improved, and we saw that against Australia in the recent series. In auctions, though, money isn’t always a reflection of a player’s quality; it comes down to supply and demand. We’re delighted to have Brevis with us. The Centurion offers a good wicket, and I’m sure he will enjoy playing there,” Ganguly said.

See Also: Sachin Tendulkar breaks silence on BCCI presidency rumors

“There’s also a lot of talent coming out of that region, which I wasn’t fully aware of before this auction. We’ve received excellent feedback about Brevis from both the MI setup and the South African team. He’s young, and someone we’re looking at as a long-term asset, just like Connor Esterhuizen and some of the exciting young fast bowlers, including a 19-year-old, Bayanda Majola, who is rated very highly. These players will only get better with time. As a franchise, we look at the bigger picture, and we’re very happy to have secured Brevis,” he concluded.

Durban Super Giants ended the previous season of the SA20 with the wooden spoon at the bottom of the points table with two victories in 10 encounters at a net run rate of -1.272. The two wins came on the opening and the very last game of the group stage of the season against the Pretoria Capitals and the Johannesburg Super Kings, respectively, as they aim for a far better season. 

Durban came into the auction with the second-biggest purse of R29.5 million with the requirement of signing 15 players, including four overseas and two Under-23 players. Their first signing of the auction came in the form of left-arm pacer, Kwena Maphaka, for R2.30 million before making the second most expensive buy of Aiden Markram for R14 million.

See Also: [WATCH] Shubman Gill reveals dream batting partner and inside details on special birthday video

In the opening position, they got the New Zealand opening batter, Devon Conway, for R325k besides signing another player from the Johannesburg Super Kings in the form of the right-arm Protea pacer, Gerald Coetzee, for R7.40 million in an intense bidding war with the Pretoria Capitals.

SA20 2025/26: Full list of players and captain for Durban Super Giants

Durban was already incredibly strong before coming into the auction, having made the pre-signing of Jos Buttler and Sunil Narine. In the spin department, they also added Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner, Taijul Islam, perhaps as the potential replacement of the West Indies veteran. Noor Ahmed will always start in the eleven along with the wild-card of Heinrich Klassen.

Eathan Bosch will be another good player for the Super Giants as they also brought back the left-handed batter, Tony de Zorzi. In the all-rounder’s department, they got another Joburg player, David Wiese, who can play the role of the lower-order batter and provide four overs of pace.

Durban Super Giants

Retained: Noor Ahmed

Wild Card: Heinrich Klassen

Pre-signing: Sunil Narine and Jos Buttler

Auction: Kwena Maphaka (R2.3 million), Aiden Markram (R14 million), Devon Conway (R325,000), Gerald Coetzee (R7.4 million), David Bedingham (R325,000), Marques Ackermann (R200,000), Eathan Bosch (R1.75 million), Andile Simelane (R200,000), Tony de Zorzi (R200,000), Dayyaan Galiem (R200,00), Taijul Islam (R500,000), Evan Jones (R200,000), Gysbert Wege (R200,000), David Wiese (R1.3 million), Daryn Dupavillon (R200,000).

The former Protea captain, Ab de Villiers, has recently opened up on the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 when India snatched victory from the South Africa side at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Even though many reckon that it was Surya Kumar Yadav’s catch to dismiss David Miller or Rishabh Pant’s smart tactic to delay the game that saved them, de Villiers had a different thought process.

De Villiers reckoned that the game was widely open for a long time as Heinrich Klassen was batting exceptionally well. He revealed that when the wicket-keeper got out, the game started to shift from the Aiden Markram-led side.

See Also: [WATCH] 'Difference is...'- Sunil Gavaskar reflects on Shubman Gill's 754 runs during ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

‘I think the ultimate is still stacked against us. Even though Klassen batted exceptionally well, I always knew the ball got a bit softer, and if we lose one wicket, it’s gonna open up widely, you know, and that ended up happening. Klassen turned it around and gave us a chance. But I think, India, batting first, set up such a good total.’ Ab de Villiers expressed in a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra.

Watch: Ab de Villiers credits star player for India's T20 World Cup 2024 victory

‘I always knew it was going to be a tough choice in the final. So, I think the guys did well to come close, but still. I think Klassen getting out was the most crucial moment of the final. There was a moment when we could have shifted back to the second or third. There were so many moments (like Rishabh Pant delaying). These are storytelling.’ Ab de Villiers added.  

Shubhankar Mishra is trying to say that Sky's catch and Pant's delay won us the Match But Ab De Villiers Said "Klassen's wicket was most important if he battled 3 more overs SA would've won the Final" even AB knows, sir Hardik Pandya won us the T20 World Cup.🐐 pic.twitter.com/DTkXgpDi0H

— RISHAV (@itzrishav108) August 3, 2025

Batting first, the Blue Brigade posted 176/7 in their 20 overs, thanks to the 76-run knock from Virat Kohli, while Axar Patel drilled 47 runs in 31 balls. They kept the Proteas for 169/8 to earn a victory by seven runs.  

‘If Klassen batted for three more overs, we would have won, in my opinion. Even if he just took once and just extended the game a bit. So, his getting out really sort of took the momentum out of the sails, and then obviously, the little moments happened. But that’s what it is. I think Panyda handled the final over exceptionally well. You got to give it to him.’ Ab de Villiers concluded.

In Match 26 of the 2025 Major League Cricket season, Washington Freedom easily beat Seattle Orcas by 8 wickets at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill. Washington chose to bowl first and did a great job, bowling out Seattle for just 82 runs the third-lowest score in MLC history.

Seattle’s batting fell apart. They were all out for 82 in 17.4 overs. Heinrich Klaasen tried hard with 48 runs from 39 balls, but no other batter did much. Sikandar Raza made 8 and Harmeet Singh 7. Washington’s bowlers were excellent. Glenn Maxwell took 3 for 12, Saurabh Netravalkar got 3 for 13, and Jack Edwards took 3 for 19.

Washington chased the small target easily. They scored 86 for 2 in 9.2 overs. Mukhtar Ahmed made 36 from 21 balls, and Rachin Ravindra hit 32 from 23. The result was clear early, with Seattle having too few runs to defend.

ALSO READ: What is the meaning of 'Kepke'? Herschelle Gibbs commented on Rohit Sharma's instagram post

Twitter reactions after WF wins 26th match of MLC 2025

🔥 Mukhtar looks to give WF an early finish!

📺 Watch live and exclusive on https://t.co/ktQmbfqs7H#MLC | #WFvSO pic.twitter.com/EG7sTflfNh

— Willow TV US (@willowtv) July 5, 2025

😱 Seattle Orcas crashed to their 3rd lowest total in MLC history - bundled out for just 82!

📉 Their 3-match winning streak comes to an end as they went down by 8 wickets to Washington Freedom#MLC2025 pic.twitter.com/kkxjRR5dvM

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 5, 2025

Dominant win for Washington Freedom over the Seattle Orcas! 💪💙

Glenn Maxwell shines with the ball, earning Player of the Match for his 3-wicket haul.🎖️#WFvSOR #MLC2025 #GlennMaxwell #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/Qe4TGL8XRV

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) July 5, 2025

Three wickets each for Glenn Maxwell, Saurabh Netravalkar and Jack Edwards as Washington Freedom bowled out Seattle Orcas for 82 https://t.co/1KN2QeEMiM #MLC2025 pic.twitter.com/SYe3HxnBZo

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 5, 2025

AI Simulation, WSF vs SEO MLC 2025 | Washington Freedom beat Seattle Orcas by six wickets in Lauderhill. pic.twitter.com/WAksmqHOZC

— SportsCafe (@IndiaSportscafe) July 4, 2025

The @WSHFreedom have come out in the fiercest of fashions, taking FIVE wickets in the #LexusPowerplay! What a performance this is and on Independence Day no less! 🦅🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/K9yDbFee17

— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 5, 2025

MLC 2025 Match 26: Washington Freedom beat Seattle Orcas by 8 wickets
🇺🇸🏆🏏💥https://t.co/ojAvrhgBQz pic.twitter.com/aG0nY3ojyF

— Cricket World (@Cricket_World) July 5, 2025

The 16th Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 match between the San Francisco Unicorns (SF) and the Seattle Orcas (SEA) will take place at Texas's Grand Prairie Stadium at 05:30 AM IST on Thursday, June 26, 2025. SEA, with captain Heinrich Klaasen and experienced players such as David Warner and Shimron Hetmyer, will look to win their first game after losing all four games of the season in 2025 and sitting at the bottom of the points table. SF, led by captain Corey Anderson and the likes of Finn Allen and Xavier Bartlett, are chasing their sixth victory after winning all five of their matches in the season so far, sitting on top of the table in position one.

This morning's face-off will provide thrilling T20 cricket to a starving audience as part of Dallas' leg of MLC with the stadium capacity being 7,000 under lights. With SF having dominated the head-to-head and SEA being keen to end their losing run, this pressure cooker match at the bowler-friendly Grand Prairie Stadium turf pitch can potentially have an effect on the long 34-match season.

Grand Prairie Stadium Cricket Stats

The Texas Grand Prairie Stadium will stage its next high-quality cricket matches in MLC 2025, with the turf pitch surface seen to be bowler-friendly in the initial part of the game. The pitch has typically preferred competitive scores and bowling sides with ideal conditions, as seen in recent matches. As game 7 on the 26th of June, the pitch would take some initial help for bowlers but level out in later stages of the match, with a packed house of 7,000 and the use of floodlights guaranteeing uninterrupted play.

• Total Matches: 33
  
• Win Bat First: 45%
  
• Win Bowl First: 55%
  
• Average 1st Innings Score: ~173
  
• Average 2nd Innings Score: ~153
  
• Highest Total: 246/4 by SF vs NY
  
• Lowest Total: 50/10 by LAS vs NY
  
• Highest Chased: 223/3 by WAS vs TEX
• Lowest Defended: 181/6 between TEX and LAS
  

See Also: MLC 2025: Points Table, leading run scorers and wicket takers after TEX vs LAS Match 15

SEA vs SF: Head-to-Head Record

Seattle Orcas and San Francisco Unicorns have faced each other three times in the history of MLC with SF winning two matches and SEA winning a single match, to give an extremely competitive game. These encounters have reinforced SF's dominance over SEA. This fourth game at the Grand Prairie Stadium is going to prove difficult and fraught with potential turnarounds.

• Total Matches: 3
  
• SEA Wins: 1
  
• SF Wins: 2
  
• No Result: 0
  

Win %: Seattle Orcas – 33.33% (1/3), San Francisco Unicorns – 66.67% (2/3)

The Seattle Orcas vs Los Angeles Knight Riders (SEA vs LAS) match will be played in the 12th game of the MLC 2025 on Sunday afternoon, June 22 (starting time at 01:30 IST on June 23), at Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie.

MLC 2025, Match 12: SEA vs LAS Probable XIs

Seattle Orcas Predicted Playing XI: Shayan Jahangir (wk), Aaron Jones, David Warner, Kyle Mayers, Heinrich Klaasen (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Sikandar Raza, Harmeet Singh, Cameron Gannonl, Obed McCoy, Jasdeep Singh

Los Angeles Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI: Alex Hales, Sunil Narine, Unmukt Chand (wk), Rovman Powell, Nitish Kumar, Matthew Tromp, Andre Russell, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Jason Holder (Captain), Ali Khan, Tanveer Sangha

See Also: MLC 2025: Probable Playing XI for SEA vs LAS

MLC 2025, Match 12: SEA vs LAS Dream11 Top Captains And Vice-captains

Top 3 Dream11 Captain choices

Kyle Mayers: West Indies cricketer Kyle Mayers has scored 115 runs in the MLC 2025 by scoring 27, 0, and 88 runs. He also picked up a wicket in the last game. 

Sikandar Raza: Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza has to find his form back soon. In the MLC 2025, he has scored only 19 runs and taken only two wickets.

Tanveer Sangha: Australian cricketer Tanveer Sangha has taken five wickets in the ongoing MLC season, as he has taken at least one wicket in every match.

Top 3 Dream11 Vice-captain choices

Jason Holder: Former Caribbean captain Jason Holder returned to the team after completing the UK tour, and in his first match of the season, he scored 23 runs in 16 balls and also picked up one wicket after conceding 53 runs in his four overs. 

Heinrich Klaasen: Former South African cricketer Heinrich Klaasen is a big name but has scored only 44 runs in three innings of the MLC 2025 with an average of 22.00 and a strike rate of 176.00.  

Andre Russell: West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is struggling to perform consistently. In the MLC 2025, he has scored only five runs and taken two wickets.  

The seventh game of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 between Seattle Orcas (SEA) and Texas Super Kings (TEX) is scheduled at the iconic Oakland Coliseum at 6:30 AM IST on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. TEX, led by Faf du Plessis with stars such as Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell, has been off to a great start in the season, with two victories in two games and an unbeaten record, sitting second in the table. SEA, led by Heinrich Klaasen with players such as David Warner and Shimron Hetmyer, is hoping to change their season around after going down by five wickets against Washington Freedom in their opener, after having a dismal 2024 season with only one victory.

This morning's game will provide hard-hitting T20 cricket in front of a vibrant 12,000-strong audience celebrating MLC's inaugural West Coast launch. Despite SEA’s head-to-head edge, TEX’s superior opening partnerships in both matches this season make this a highly anticipated clash at the batting-friendly Coliseum in the expanded 34-game season.

Oakland Coliseum Cricket Stadium Stats

The Oakland Coliseum is hosting its first elite-level cricket matches in MLC 2025 with a Nassau County, New York, drop-in pitch. The pitch gives early seam movement but eventually becomes batsman-friendly, as witnessed in the season opener's high-scoring match. As the opening match on June 17, the pitch might still give some relief to bowlers in the initial stages, although it can flatten during the course of the game.

• Total Matches: 6
  
• Batting 1st Won: 4
  
• Batting 2nd Won: 2
  
• No Result: 0
  
• Highest Total: 269/5 by San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom in 2025
  
• Lowest Total: 146 all out by Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns in 2025
  
• Lowest Defended: 181/4 by TEX vs LAS in 2025
  
• Average 1st Innings Score: ~227
  
• Average 2nd Innings Score: ~164
  

The toss continues to be important, with sides batting first winning the majority of games at the ground and suggesting an advantage in building a large total. The Coliseum's lively environment amplifies the tension of this high-profile early-season game.

See Also: MLC 2025, Match 6: San Francisco Unicorns vs MI New York Full Match Highlights

TEX vs SEA: Head-to-Head Record

Texas Super Kings and Seattle Orcas have met three times in MLC history, with SEA holding the edge by winning two of those encounters, making this a challenging matchup for TEX. Despite SEA’s historical advantage, TEX’s current form, particularly their strong opening stands, adds intrigue to this contest. This third meeting at the Coliseum promises fireworks and potential twists.

• Total Matches: 3
  
• TEX Wins: 1
  
• SEA Wins: 2
  
• No Result: 0
  

Win %: Texas Super Kings – 33.33% (1/3), Seattle Orcas – 66.67% (2/3)

The 2025 edition of Major League Cricket kicked off on June 12, with a commanding performance by the San Francisco Unicorns, who thrashed Washington Freedom by a staggering 123 runs. As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to seeing several top-tier T20 stars—fresh from their IPL stints—bringing their flair and explosive style to the MLC. With global attention turning to the American T20 scene, these players are set to dazzle once again as they don the jerseys of their respective MLC franchises.

In this feature, we spotlight five such players who are poised to deliver standout performances in the ongoing season. Having impressed with their consistency and match-winning efforts during the IPL, these cricketers are expected to carry that momentum into MLC 2025. Their recent form, combined with their experience in pressure situations, makes them ones to watch as the tournament unfolds. Let’s take a closer look at these potential game-changers.

5. Sunil Narine (LA Knight Riders)

The former West Indian cricketer is among the star players in the ongoing MLC. The 36-year-old performed well with the bat as well as with the ball in the recently concluded IPL season, scoring 246 runs with a strike rate of 170 and claiming 12 wickets with his clever off-break.

Sunil Narine will be captaining the team this season. LA Knight Riders would be looking to improve their performance from the last season, when they finished 5th.

4. Faf Du Plessis (Texas Super Kings)

The former South African skipper and batter played for Delhi Capitals during the 2025 IPL season and is captaining the Texas Super Kings in the ongoing MLC.

 Last season, Faf Du Plessis scored 520 runs for TSK with an average of 52.50 and will be aiming to perform well this season also. TSC performed decently last season and were third in the points table, but this time around, they would be aiming to win the trophy.

See Also: Watch: SEA vs WAS : Match 04 Weather and Pitch Report – MLC 2025

3. Heinrich Klaasen (Seattle Orcas)

Klaasen, who recently retired from International cricket, played a crucial role for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recently concluded IPL 2025, scoring 487 runs in 13 innings. He is named as the captain of the Seattle Orcas during the ongoing MLC.

The former South African wicket-keeper batter could score just 97 runs in 7 MLC games last season, but this time around, the right-hander would be aiming to showcase his prowess with the bat.

2. Trent Boult (MI New York)

Boult bowled brilliantly for Mumbai Indians during the 2025 IPL season, claiming 22 wickets and finishing joint third in the wicket-taking list. The left-arm Kiwi pacer will be representing MI New York in the 2025 MLC.

Boult performed impressively during the 2023 MLC season, claiming 22 wickets, but had an ordinary 2024 season where he claimed 9 wickets. This time around, Boult's form would be crucial if the MI New York sees itself as a contender for winning the trophy.

1. Nicolas Pooran (MI New York)

The former West Indian cricketer, who retired from International cricket recently, looked in fine form for Lucknow Super Giants in the 2025 IPL season, scoring 524 runs in the entire season with a strike rate of 196.

He will be captaining the MI New York team and will be hoping his side improves its standing in the points table as in the last season MI New York team finished 4th in the table. Pooran's destructive hitting and his ability to take the game away form the opposition with his aggressive intent will be crucial for MI New York.

Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has opened up about his shock retirement from international cricket, just days after the announcement stunned fans and experts alike. Klaasen, who represented the Proteas in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025, revealed that he had been battling inner turmoil and a loss of passion for playing at the highest level. In a candid conversation with Rapport, he admitted that he was no longer enjoying the game and that his mental state had hit a concerning low.

"I felt for a long time that I didn't really care about any of my performances and whether the team won or not. That's the wrong place to be," Klaasen admitted. "I had a long conversation with Rob [Walter] before the Champions Trophy, and I told him I didn't feel good in my heart about what was going on. I wasn't enjoying it that much." His comments provide a raw glimpse into the emotional challenges elite athletes can face despite being at the peak of their careers.

Initially, Klaasen had envisioned playing international cricket until at least the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, his plans took a dramatic turn following the resignation of South Africa head coach Rob Walter and complications in contract negotiations with Cricket South Africa (CSA). "We talked nicely; we planned everything nicely up to and including the World Cup in 2027. So when he finished as coach and the [contract] negotiations [with CSA] didn't go as planned, it made my decision a lot easier," he said.

Family, Rest, and Future Commitments

Klaasen emphasized that spending quality time with his family was another key reason behind stepping away from the international stage. "Now I can spend six or seven months at home. My family needs it; it's been a long four years with a lot of travel. I need a little rest," he pointed out. The 32-year-old batter is a father to a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and expressed his desire to be present at home after years of constant touring.

Also Read: 'I don't think it'll take off in Australia'—Josh' Hazlewood on his new nickname given by Indian fans

Klaasen’s withdrawal also coincides with his availability for franchise tournaments like Major League Cricket (MLC) and The Hundred, which clashed with South Africa’s tours to Zimbabwe, New Zealand, and Australia. Known for his trademark whip-pull off spinners, Klaasen remained a fearsome presence across formats, having recently featured in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, T20 World Cup 2024, and the Champions Trophy 2025.

In a ground-breaking development, South African batting prodigy Heinrich Klaasen has decided to call time on his international cricketing career at age 32. Klaasen confirmed the news of his retirement on his personal Instagram handle. The iconic Protea legend will no longer appear in South African colours. 

Klaasen was thankful to have represented South Africa, describing it as a lifelong aspiration and the greatest honor of his professional career. Furthermore, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and supporters for their encouragement during his journey, stating that he will forever treasure the bonds and experiences formed while playing for the national team. 

See also: WTC 2025: ICC announces prize money details for prestigious Test championship

Klaasen pens an emotional note on his retirement

On his Instagram account, Klaasen expressed that it was not an easy decision for him to make. He feels sad to exit international cricket but stresses that it was in his best interest, keeping his family aspirations in mind. 

“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket. It took me a long time to decide what’s best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision, but also one that I have absolute peace with.”

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Heinrich Klaasen (@heinie45)

Earlier today, Australia's Glenn Maxwell shocked the world by announcing his sudden ODI retirement. It does not take long for Klaasen to follow suit as well, as he becomes the latest professional cricketer to bid farewell to all formats. Klaasen leaves behind a legacy that may be matched only by a select few in modern-day cricket. 

On the back of his aggressive, flamboyant batting,  Klaasen became the 11th Protea batter to cross 2000 ODI runs and did so at the 54th-fastest pace in the format’s history. Besides, his fireworks at the IPL are something to behold. In the ongoing IPL edition, Klaasen racked up a blazing century (105 off 37) against Kolkata Knight Riders in Delhi, equalling the joint third-fastest century held by Yusuf Pathan, only behind Chris Gayle (30 balls) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (35 balls).