I do feel the domestic system needs to be strong in order for consistency at the top: AB de Villiers

The 2025 edition of the SA20 is all set to commence on January 9, 2025. The six-team tournament will last for almost an entire month. There is added excitement to the buildup of this tournament due to the added expertise of international superstars, as compared to the first couple of seasons.

Brand Ambassador for the franchise tournament and former South African legend, AB de Villiers, spoke on whether South Africa needed to win a T20 trophy on an international scale for the tournament to attain global prominence. 

“I think it just worked out like that for India back in the day. I don't think it has to happen that way around. I actually think the opposite is true. If you have a strong domestic system and Betway SA20 is a strong tournament, you will breed really good cricketers from that tournament, which will ultimately end up in the Proteas side or the national side, which then can take that experience from the SA20 and go and win the World Cup. Obviously, it will be fantastic to have it the other way around, to go out and win an ICC tournament," shared de Villiers while speaking on Star Sports.

Also Read: Ryan Rickelton geared up for SA20 after successful Test stint

I do feel the domestic system needs to be strong: de Villiers

The former Proteas cricketer shared that he saw a lot of promise in the current crop of players and there was a glowing future lying ahead. However, he did feel the need that a highly successful SA20 season could quite definitely act as a catalyst for local players to get nurtured to ultimately represent the national side in the years to come.

"I don't see why South Africa shouldn't be able to do that. They made the finals in that last World T20 and also in the finals of the WTC now. So lots of potential, and there's lots of talent, but I do feel the domestic system needs to be strong in order for consistency at the top. So, I just think a really good Betway SA20 this year and as long as that can cement itself as a really good domestic tournament globally, that will attract a lot of attention from all corners of the world, then you can take that confidence and experience that the players will pick up in that tournament and go and win an ICC tournament,” de Villiers added.

Interestingly, the Indian Premier League is one such case where the league came to prominence after India won the inaugural edition of the 20-over spectacle. Whether the converse is true as per what de Villiers has stated above, is for time to tell.