SA20 2023 team of the tournament: Who makes our XI?

BLAKE BINT names the best XI from the inaugural edition of the SA20

Six teams, 33 matches, one trophy - the inaugural edition of the SA20 took place between January 10 and February 12 and didn't disappoint, attracting both large crowds and a number of marquee international stars.

Even the rain, which disrupted the playoffs, failed to dampen too many spirits as reserve days were utilised to good effect.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape have cemented their place in history as the original champions, defeating Pretoria Capitals by four wickets, but who were the standout players across the tournament? Here is The Cricketer's team of the tournament...

Will Jacks (Pretoria Capitals)

7 matches, 270 runs, 38.57 average, 201.49 strike rate

Batting at the top of the order for Pretoria Capitals, Jacks played a key part in getting his side to the top of the table. A top score of 92 - one of three half-centuries - and his remarkable strike rate were enough to secure him a spot in the team of the tournament despite his restricted availability. He also picked up three wickets from his three overs. A must-pick for franchises going forward.

Jos Buttler (Paarl Royals)

11 matches, 391 runs, 39.10 average, 132.54 strike rate, 8 catches, 1 stumping

Another English opener. Buttler finished top of the run-scoring charts, with four half-centuries, a healthy average of 39.10 and a strike rate of 132.54 among his headline numbers. He played a key role in his side reaching the knockout stages but couldn't guide them into the finals. With the gloves, only Phil Salt (10) completed more dismissals.

Heinrich Klaasen had a fine tournament for Durban (Sportzpics/SA20/CSA)

Faf du Plessis (Joburg Super Kings)

11 matches, 369 runs, 41 average, 147.60 strike rate

One of only three players to score a century in the competition, du Plessis was on-song for Joburg Super Kings, helping them to the latter stages of the competition. The 38-year-old hit two fifties to go with his 113 not out against Durban Super Giants and was second to only Buttler in terms of runs scored.

Heinrich Klaasen (Durban Super Giants)

10 matches, 363 runs, 60.50 average, 164.25 strike rate, 2 catches, 1 stumping

The South Africa wicketkeeper went from strength to strength with the bat and was a shining light in a poor campaign for the Super Giants. He scored a blistering 104 not out off 44 balls against Pretoria Capitals as well as a further three fifty-plus knocks, and maintained a devasting strike rate throughout. One of the big winners despite his side's average season.

Leus du Plooy (Joburg Super Kings)

9 matches, 249 runs, 62.25 average, 137.56 strike rate

The 28-year-old has been flexible in the batting order for Joburg Super Kings. His top score of 81 came at No.3 but as his four unbeaten innings from a possible eight and healthy strike rate indicate, he also made himself at home as the Super Kings' finisher. Due to his consistency, he gets the nod over the likes of Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen.

Roelof van der Merwe rolled back the years (Sportzpics/SA20/CSA)

Aiden Markram (Sunriser Eastern Cape)

12 matches, 366 runs, 33.27 average, 127.97 strike rate, 11 wickets, 6.19 economy

Despite batting in the top four for Sunrisers, Markram comes into our team of the tournament in one of the allrounder slots. The 28-year-old came through for his side in the semi-finals, scoring 100 runs off 58 balls against Joburg Super Kings, and finished the season with 366 runs. His off-spin bowling was also crucial in their title charge: he picked up 11 wickets and conceded 6.19 runs per over, including figures of 1 for 17 in the final. Deservedly crowned player of the tournament for his efforts with bat and ball.

Jimmy Neesham (Pretoria Capitals)

12 matches, 176 runs, 25.14 average, 132.33 strike rate, 14 wickets, 8.27 economy

Picked as the second allrounder, Neesham has been preferred to Marco Jansen thanks to his performances with the ball. Jansen out-scored the hard-hitting Kiwi (albeit only by one run), including posting a high score of 66, but Neesham finished the tournament with 14 wickets while Jansen collected eight. 176 runs at a strike rate of 132.33 isn't too shabby either.

Roelof van der Merwe (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)

17 matches, 26 wickets, 8.51 economy

It's impossible to ignore the Netherlands international, who topped the wicket-taking charts with 20 dismissals at 9.55. He conceded just 5.61 runs per over, formed an impressive spin partnership with Markram and posted best figures of 6 for 20 against Durban Super Giants. In the final, the veteran bowler collected 4 for 31 to walk away with the player of the match award. He well and truly rolled back the years.

Jimmy Neesham took several remarkable catches for Pretoria (Sportzpics/SA20/CSA)

Bjorn Fortuin (Paarl Royals)

11 matches, 14 wickets, 6.45 economy

Another left-arm spinner, Fortuin remained consistent throughout the competition and like van der Merwe for Sunrisers, made runs hard to come by. He topped the wicket-taking charts for the Royals and was also their most economical bowler. His best moment? Bouncing back from figures of 0 for 46 against Durban Super Giants with a match-winning 3 for 14 against the same opponents two days later.

Gerald Coetzee (Joburg Super Kings)

9 matches, 17 wickets, 8.07 economy

The breakout prospect from the SA20. The 22-year-old seamer finished second in the wicket-taking charts despite only playing nine matches, picking up a wicket every eight balls in the competition and producing a number of match-winning performances.

Anrich Nortje (Pretoria Capitals)

11 matches, 20 wickets, 6.18 economy

Unsurprisingly, Nortje was the standout pacer in the competition, tying with van der Merwe at the top of the wicket-taking charts. In addition to his 20 wickets, which helped the Capitals reach the final, Nortje was also incredibly miserly, conceding just 6.18 runs per over - of players to take more than 10 wickets, only van der Merwe maintained a lower economy.

Additional reporting by Betzy Brize