Sunrisers Eastern Cape Squad and Schedule SA20 2027: Full 19

Three Titles in Four Years: Sunrisers Eastern Cape Add Mitchell Marsh for the Defence

Who are the champions?

Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the 2026 SA20, beating Pretoria Capitals by six wickets in the final at Newlands. It was their third title in four seasons (2023, 2024 and 2026).

Who is new?

Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain signed before the auction. At the auction they bought England all-rounder Craig Overton (R1.5 million) and Proteas left-arm seamer Nandre Burger (R500,000).

Who is the wildcard?

Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen.

When is their first match?

Sunday, January 17, 2027, the season opener, at home to Pretoria Capitals at St George's Park (3:30 PM local, 7:00 PM IST, 8:30 AM ET).

The Story: The Team Everyone Has to Beat

No franchise has dominated the SA20 like Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Under head coach Adrian Birrell, they have reached all four finals and won three of them, losing only the 2025 final to MI Cape Town.

Last season's final summed them up. Chasing 159, Matthew Breetzke (68 not out) and captain Tristan Stubbs (63 not out) took them home with four balls to spare. Marco Jansen had already done the damage with the ball, taking 3 for 10 in his four overs.

For readers new to the competition: the SA20 is South Africa's franchise T20 league. Six city-based teams play each other twice, 10 games each, and the top four reach the playoffs. In T20 cricket each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries), so a match lasts about three and a half hours.

Stubbs is looking forward to a big start, with the season opening against the team they beat in the final. "It's a big game to start. It's probably what you want," he said. "I feel like we're quite a settled side."

The Talking Points

Mitchell Marsh Makes His SA20 Debut

The headline signing is Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who will play in the SA20 for the first time. He hits the ball a long way at the top or middle of the order and adds overs of seam bowling.

Overton and Burger Bought at the Auction

The Sunrisers needed only two players at the October 7 auction. They spent R1.5 million on England all-rounder Craig Overton, who moves across from Pretoria Capitals, and R500,000 on Proteas left-arm quick Nandre Burger, formerly of Joburg Super Kings.

A Deep Pace Attack

With Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Adam Milne, Lutho Sipamla, Burger and Overton, the Sunrisers have one of the strongest fast-bowling groups in the league.

Who Left

Jonny Bairstow, Chris Wood, AM Ghazanfar and Beyers Swanepoel are not in this season's squad, and opener Tony de Zorzi moved to Durban's Super Giants.

The Full Sunrisers Eastern Cape Squad

(c) captain last season. 19 players in total.

Auction Buys

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Players to Watch

Tristan Stubbs (c): The captain finished last season's final unbeaten on 63 and is one of the best finishers in the league.

Quinton de Kock: The left-handed wicketkeeper-opener can take a game away in the powerplay (the first six overs, when fielding restrictions apply).

Mitchell Marsh: The big new signing, making his SA20 debut.

Marco Jansen: The wildcard. A very tall left-arm quick who took 3 for 10 in last season's final and hits hard lower down.

Matthew Breetzke: Top-scored with 68 not out in the final.

Anrich Nortje: One of the fastest bowlers in the world, leading a deep pace attack.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape Fixtures (Local, IST and ET)

All matches are in South Africa. Five are at home at St George's Park in Gqeberha, and five are away.

Home games in bold. Local time is South Africa Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). ET is US Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5). Every start falls on the same calendar date in all three zones.

The fixture pattern: the champions open the season at home on January 17, then go on the road for three straight away games. After that, home and away games come in pairs, and they finish the league stage with back-to-back home games against Durban (Feb 9) and Paarl (Feb 13). Their only 1:00 PM start is at home to MI Cape Town on Saturday, January 30, at 1:00 PM.

Playoffs (If They Qualify)

Stat Corner

Last Season's Final

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain?

Tristan Stubbs, who led them to the 2026 title.

How many SA20 titles have Sunrisers Eastern Cape won?

Three: 2023, 2024 and 2026.

Who did Sunrisers Eastern Cape buy at the SA20 2027 auction?

Craig Overton for R1.5 million and Nandre Burger for R500,000.

When do Sunrisers Eastern Cape play their first match?

Sunday, January 17, 2027, at home to Pretoria Capitals at St George's Park, at 3:30 PM local, 7:00 PM IST and 8:30 AM ET.

Who is the Sunrisers Eastern Cape wildcard?

Marco Jansen.

Related Guides and Series Coverage

📋 SA20 2027 Full Schedule, Fixtures and Venues

📋 Pretoria Capitals Squad and Schedule for SA20 2027: Russell, Salt and Bavuma Join Ganguly's Finalists

📋 Durban's Super Giants Squad and Schedule for SA20 2027: Buttler, Klaasen and Curran Lead the Title Hunt

📋 MI Cape Town Squad and Schedule for SA20 2027: Boult Returns as Mulder and Hetmyer Join Rashid's Side