Top 10 bowlers with most wickets in SA20 history

SA20 is one of the best franchise T20 leagues in the world with top rated batsmen as well as bowlers taking part in it.

South Africa’s premier T20 franchise competition continues to showcase world-class bowling talent. The league matures into its fourth season. The SA20 league officially changed the landscape of domestic cricket in the Rainbow Nation.

It debuted in 2023. Since that inaugural season, several premier fast bowlers and crafty spinners established themselves. They became household names through consistent wicket-taking exploits.

Because the tournament rewards aggression and clinical execution in the death overs, the leaders on this list represent the very best. They define modern short-format bowling. As of December 23, 2025, the historical rankings highlight a fascinating mix of local Proteas stars and international luminaries.

These players mastered the bouncy, pace-friendly tracks of Johannesburg and conquered the swirling winds of coastal Gqeberha. The following listicle details the 10 bowlers with most wickets in SA20 history. The statistics reflect every delivery bowled up to the current date.

10 bowlers with most wickets in SA20 history

10. Lungi Ngidi (27 Wickets)

Lungi Ngidi currently spearheads the Pretoria Capitals’ attack. He moved there from the Paarl Royals. His tally of 27 wickets reflects his standing as a premier white-ball specialist. Ngidi utilises his tall frame to generate steep bounce from a length.

This makes it incredibly difficult for batters to pull or hook him with certainty. Furthermore, his development of a “knuckleball” deceived some of the world’s best hitters. The right-arm pacer strikes during the frantic final overs of the innings. Ngidi remains a constant threat to any batting lineup. He switches between raw aggression and tactical containment with ease.

9. Richard Gleeson (27 wickets)

Richard Gleeson recently attained a significant milestone by securing his 24th wicket in the SA20 tournament while representing the Joburg Super Kings. Consequently, the seasoned English fast bowler remains a vital asset for his team because he consistently delivers high-velocity deliveries that unsettle even the most established opening batsmen.

Moreover, Gleeson showcased his immense experience during a historic New Year’s Day clash against the Durban Super Giants by bowling an incredibly clinical Super Over to ensure a dramatic victory. He currently maintains a disciplined economy rate across multiple seasons, further solidifying his reputation as a premier white-ball specialist in South African conditions.

8. George Linde (27 Wickets)

George Linde remains a vital asset for MI Cape Town. He squeezes batters during the middle overs with his left-arm orthodox spin. Many fans focus on the lightning-fast pace of the Newlands deck. However, Linde uses his height and subtle variations to extract bounce.

This often catches the edge of an advancing batsman. He recently moved into the top 10 by maintaining a disciplined economic rate. He picks up crucial breakthroughs whenever the opposition attempts to accelerate. Linde’s consistency ensures a reliable spin option for the Cape Town franchise. He can bowl in the powerplay if the team strategy requires it.

7. Noor Ahmad (29 Wickets)

The young Afghan wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad quickly ascended the rankings. He played fewer matches than many of his peers on this list. He represents the Durban Super Giants with a brand of “mystery” spin. Most South African batters fail to decipher him with any real confidence.

Noor has a devastating googly. It looks identical to his stock delivery. This deception helped him claim twenty-five scalps in a remarkably short period. His spot in the top 10 highlights the growing impact of international specialist spinners. They now influence a league that pace bowlers traditionally dominate.

6. Keshav Maharaj (30 Wickets)

Keshav Maharaj proves that traditional finger spin still plays a massive role. It thrives even in the high-scoring environment of T20 cricket. He led the Durban Super Giants for much of the league’s history before taking the leadership of Pretoria Capitals. He perfected the art of bowling to his fields.

Maharaj induces errors through sheer frustration. He rarely gives away cheap runs. This pressure frequently forces batters into playing high-risk shots. Those shots led to their downfall. The left-arm spinner’s 30 wickets come from pure tactical brilliance. 

5. Eathan Bosch (32 Wickets)

Eathan Bosch emerged as a breakout star of the inaugural SA20 season. He has not looked back since establishing himself in the Pretoria Capitals lineup, but now plays for Durban Super Giants (DSG). He uses an effortless bowling action. This generates a surprising pace. He frequently targets the stumps to keep the batters honest.

With 32 wickets to his name, Bosch shows exactly why the league’s scouts value him. They identify and nurture local talent who might otherwise fly under the radar. His reliability in the powerplay helps the team. It allows the more senior bowlers to attack during the later stages of the game.

4. Bjorn Fortuin (32 Wickets)

Bjorn Fortuin turned the Boland Park stadium in Paarl into a fortress for the Royals. He mastered the slower, turning conditions found in the Western Cape. He is arguably the best power-play spinner in the country. Fortuin often opens the bowling.

He ties down aggressive openers with remarkable accuracy. Crossing the 30-wicket milestone solidified his reputation. He is a big-game player who thrives when the lights are brightest. Bjorn’s ability to slide the ball into the pads of right-handers is key. It makes him a perennial candidate for the leading wicket-taker award every season.

3. Kagiso Rabada (34 wickets)

Kagiso Rabada holds a prestigious position as a leading wicket-taker for MI Cape Town, having recently expanded his total to 34 dismissals across his appearances in the SA20. Consequently, his sheer velocity and clinical execution during the high-pressure death overs consistently stifle the scoring rates of opposing teams.

Furthermore, the right-arm speedster maintained a highly competitive economy rate throughout the 2025 season to anchor his franchise’s bowling department. Because he strikes at regular intervals with his trademark bouncers and yorkers, Rabada effectively remains one of the most productive fast bowlers in the history of this South African league.

2. Ottniel Baartman (50 Wickets)

The “Oudtshoorn Express,” Ottniel Baartman, represented the heart of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape bowling unit in the first two seasons. However, ahead of SA20 2025-26, he moved to Paarl Royals. He has a knack for bowling pinpoint yorkers at will. This skill earned him 50 wickets. He earned a reputation as the best death bowler in the league.

Baartman rarely finds himself in the headlines for raw speed. However, his tactical execution and variations in pace make him virtually unplayable. He dominates the final four overs. His contribution helped the Sunrisers win back-to-back titles in the first two seasons of the competition.

1. Marco Jansen (51 Wickets)

Marco Jansen stands alone at the summit of the SA20 wicket-taking charts. He recorded an incredible 51 scalps. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape all-rounder uses his towering height to create difficult angles. Batters cannot comfortably play against him.

The seam-bowling all-rounder often strikes in his very first over. He uses the swinging new ball to dismantle the opposition’s top order. Jansen strikes before they can even get a feel for the pitch. His dominance in this category reflects his status. He is the most impactful player in the league. Jansen consistently delivers match-winning spells that leave the opposition in tatters.

Rank	Bowler	Total Wickets	Current/Recent Team
1	Marco Jansen	51	Sunrisers Eastern Cape
2	Ottniel Baartman	50	Paarl Royals
3	Kagiso Rabada	34	MI Cape Town
4	Bjorn Fortuin	32	Paarl Royals
5	Eathan Bosch	32	Durban’s Super Giants
6	Keshav Maharaj	30	Pretoria Capitals
7	Noor Ahmad	29	Durban’s Super Giants
8	George Linde	27	MI Cape Town
9	Richard Gleeson	27	Joburg Super Kings
10	Lungi Ngidi	27	Pretoria Capitals

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