Former South Africa leader Graeme Smith, now steering SA20, has nothing but praise for emerging stars Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, and Nkokobani Mokoeana. In an insightful interview, he positioned the league as South Africa’s talent incubator, backed by Cricket South Africa’s smart scouting.
‘The platform SA20 provides is invaluable,’ Smith said. ‘It’s elevated players like Brevis, Stubbs, and especially Mokoeana, who excels in crunch moments.’
Stubbs’ redemption steals the show. Pre-season struggles axed him from T20 World Cup 2026, but leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape, he peaked. In the final showdown on January 25, pursuing 159 against Pretoria Capitals, disaster struck at 48/4. Stubbs’ gritty 63* (41 balls: 4×6, 2×4) and Britzke’s 68* yielded 114 unbroken runs for a six-wicket win—their third title.
Brevis countered with a defiant hundred, but Mokoeana’s bowling stole glances: 13 wickets in 10 games for Paarl Royals, highlighted by 4/34, ranking him fourth overall. At 19, without a Test cap yet, his trajectory screams future star.
Smith reflected on Stubbs’ finisher role across SA20, IPL, and Proteas duties, predicting World Cup impact. SA20 isn’t merely a tournament; it’s forging South Africa’s cricketing legacy.