SA20 and the T20 World Cup don't intersect, selectors insist

Three hours after convenor selector Patrick Moroney announced South Africa's squad for the men's T20 World Cup, four of the chosen 15 were named in the XIs for the SA20 game between Paarl Royals and Mumbai Indians Cape Town. Also playing were several players who were not selected.

Top of mind was Ryan Rickelton, who scored the tournament's only century so far but missed World Cup selection. Others in the match and not selected included Rassie van der Dussen, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin and Ottneil Baartman. Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, George Linde and Jason Smith were in both the squad and Friday's XIs.

Moroney downplayed the SA20's influence on selection during a press conference: "It's very early doors for the [SA20] and the reality is it's still fairly domestic… The international step up is significantly higher. When you look at those [SA20] performances you might be taking your eye off the ball… I don't think it has played a significant role in the selection of the squad."

This logic might also explain the omission of Tristan Stubbs. While he had a strong IPL in 2025, his T20I strike rate of 121.6 was notably lower. If international performances are prioritized over franchise cricket, his non-selection is consistent.

Moroney handled the press conference in place of Shukri Conrad, who is on pilgrimage. The squad was largely finalized before Conrad's departure, with remaining decisions settled electronically.

Only nine SA20 matches had been played at the time of selection, with 25 remaining. The tournament was brought forward this summer to allow for ground upgrades ahead of the 2027 World Cup, providing live cricket in a period usually reserved for Tests.

There will be ample opportunity to question the selectors' decisions before the squad departs. On Friday, the unpicked Pretorius smashed an unbeaten 98 off 65 balls, while the selected Rabada went wicketless for 46 in his four overs (economy 11.50).

Paarl posted 181/3, their highest home total in the competition's history, setting up a record chase for Cape Town. Van der Dussen scored 59 off 42 and shared a 77-run stand with Rickelton (36 off 20). Cape Town needed 15 off the final over, which Baartman defended nervelessly to secure a one-run win for Paarl.

Rickelton, Baartman and Fortuin were part of the squad that reached the 2024 T20 World Cup final. However, conditions and personnel will differ this time—only seven players from the 2024 squad return. Eight will be experiencing their first World Cup in any format.

With relatively unproven international players like Jason Smith, Donovan Ferreira, Dewald Brevis, and Kwena Maphaka in the mix, the squad appears less experienced than previous South African World Cup contingents. However, none of those previous squads have won a trophy. Perhaps the 2026 group will be unburdened by the weight of that history.