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Sitting down in Pretoria, Smith reminisced about the hard work and ambition that went into laying the foundation for a league that would not only restore confidence in South African cricket but also introduce a whole new generation of fans to the sport.
SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith.
On the eve of SA20’s 100th game, a sense of achievement and reflection fills the air as Commissioner Graeme Smith recounts the league’s journey. Sitting down in Pretoria, Smith reminisced about the hard work and ambition that went into laying the foundation for a league that would not only restore confidence in South African cricket but also introduce a whole new generation of fans to the sport.
“It is incredible that we are sitting here 100th games of SA20, I think about how much work we had to build it initially to bring back confidence in SA cricket, people who trusted us in the beginning and what were building, six franchises and the fans who turned up in numbers. The other exciting thing is in SA we introduced a lot of new fans to cricket [via SA20], it is going to be a goosebump moment good time to reflect on what we built,” Smith told News18 CricketNext.
The milestone is set to be celebrated when the Paarl Royals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape face off in the Season 3 Qualifier 2 at Centurion on Thursday evening. This landmark comes during the final week of an incredible third season that has been defined by entertaining cricket, sold-out matches, and vibrant celebrations in six stadiums across the country.
Reflecting on the league’s debut and the highlights along the way, Smith recalled the unforgettable opening games at each stadium in the first season. “My massive highlight in that initial period was the opening game at each stadium in the first season. I’ll never ever forget those goosebump moments,” he said, evoking the emotions that have driven the league forward.
The league’s journey has been studded with memorable moments—from Faf du Plessis’s first century to Heinrich Klaasen’s pyrotechnic displays in Season 2, along with unprecedented fan support and record broadcast viewership. More than just a platform for high-octane cricket, SA20 has consistently provided opportunities for young South African cricketers to showcase their talent on a global stage. “We’ve seen the quality grow year on year,” Smith noted. “And we’ve seen the South African talent come through, which is something that we always wanted to do.”
Setting bold and ambitious goals from the outset, SA20 aspired to become “the biggest League outside of India” and to establish itself as “the No. 1 sport and entertainment brand in South Africa.” As Smith proudly reflects, “I think we’ve lived those things. I think three years in, the proof and the stats and the feedback we’re getting is that we’ve managed to achieve a lot of those goals.”
