The much awaited fourth edition of the SA20, South Africa’s premier T20 competition, is set to get underway on Friday, and Independent Media’s Ongama Gcwabe selects Six Batters To Watch.

Lhuandre-dre Pretorius - Paarl Royals

There will be high expectations for the 19-year-old top-order batter, having topped the runs charts with 397 runs, including three half-centuries and a high score of 97 in his debut SA20 season.

This year, the youngster returns with a lot more experience having played international cricket across three formats. The Paarl Royals will be looking to the opening batter to get them to a flying start throughout the competition.

Heinrich Klaasen - Durban’s Super Giants

Klaasen has been by far the best white ball batter in the last three to four years. This year, with a strong captain in Aiden Markram by his side, he is expected to be a dominant force for the Super Giants.

The explosive right-hander will be the spinners’ worst nightmare in what is often a slow pitch at Kingsmead Stadium. Be it in the middle overs or the death, Klaasen is a serious threat with the bat.

Nicholas Pooran - MI Cape Town

The former West Indies captain strengthens the batting unit of the defending champions. This year he is available for the whole tournament, a feat that coach Robin Peterson and the entire MI Cape Town franchise will relish as they look to defend their title.

The left handed is explosive, no matter the situation he walks to bat in. He carries with him serious experience as he has played all around the world.

Quinton de Kock - Sunrisers Eastern Cape

The two-time SA20 champions will be looking back to their signing of De Kock in September as a master stroke, considering the impressive form that the wicket-keeper batter has shown in his return to international cricket over the last couple of months. This year, as he also looks to further impress Shukri Conrad and the national selectors for the 2026 T20 World Cup, the 32-year-old will certainly be one to watch for the Gqeberha-based Sunrisers.

Dewald Brevis - Pretoria Capitals

Brevis was the record signing at this year’s auction in Johannesburg, going for over R16 Million, as the Pretoria Capitals made a massive commitment to build the team around the youngster. The explosive batter joins his home team after winning the competition with MI Cape Town last season and will be looking to do good things in the Capitals colours this season.

He returns to the tournament this year with a lot of experience having played against the best in the world in the Proteas colours this year.

Donovan Ferreira - Joburg Super Kings

Ferreira has been an impressive middle-to-lower order batter all around the world in recent times. His strike-rates are almost always above 150, making him a very valuable asset for the Joburg Super Kings. Alongside Faf du Plessis, Ferreira will be one to watch as the Joburg-based unit will look to register their first SA20 title this season.