It’s not quite IPL money, which sees some South Africans earning figures that exceed R10 million per season, but South Africa’s new Global T20 league has made a few instant millionaires.

The eight franchise squads locked down their final squads over the weekend, done via a 16-round draft pick system, and those picked at the top of the pile each receive a R1,75 million contract.

Not bad for a tournament that starts on November 3, when the Cape Town Knight Riders and the Pretoria Mavericks face off at Newlands, and finishes with the final on December 16.

That’s 44 days, or just under R40 000 per day.

A few things that stand out via Sport24 before we run through all of the names:

It is a massive boost to the likes of [Dane] Paterson and [JJ] Smuts, who have only just broken onto the international scene.

Paterson [below], for example, has been opening the bowling for SWD in the Africa T20 Cup, and now he is the most expensive player in the country and an overnight millionaire.

Even as you look down the draft, to the very bottom, there are players who have had their lives changed in an instant.

The last name out the hat was that of 29-year-old Kyle Nipper, who has struggled for the best part of a decade to break into the domestic scene.

He was chosen as the Pretoria Mavericks’ last player, and the R130 000 will surely be more than anything he has ever made during his time at the Dolphins or KZN Inland.

Andile Phehlukwayo [above], at just 21, was also struggling to come to grips with how much money he had just netted at the draft.

Having been picked in the third round by the Joburg Giants, the Proteas allrounder walks away with R1.3 million.

Lekker Andile, and lekker for a number of players who are now guaranteed a little financial security.

Farhaan Berhardien (pictured right up top), Aidan Markram (who must surely be in line for a test debut in the upcoming series against Bangladesh), Big Vernon Philander and Tabraiz Shamsi all banked R1,495 million.

Here’s that full list:

Round 1 – R1.755 million (Chris Morris, Dale Steyn, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dane Paterson, Colin Ingram, JJ Smuts)

Round 2 – R1.495 million (Vernon Philander, Aiden Markram, Farhaan Behardien, Tabraiz Shamsi)

Round 3 – R1.3 million (Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Vilas, Wayne Parnell)

Round 4 – R1.105 million (Lungi Ngidi, Shaun von Berg, Rassie van der Dussen, Bjorn Fortuin, Chris Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, Robbie Frylinck)

Round 5 – R975 000 (David Wiese, Aaron Phangiso, Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Henry Davids)

Round 6 – R845 000 (Eddie Leie, Morne van Wyk, Dwaine Pretorius, Patrick Kruger, Johan Botha)

Round 7 – R780 000 (Pite van Biljon, Beuran Hendricks, Jason Smith, Junior Dala, Sisanda Magala, Vaughn van Jaarseveld, Wiaan Mulder)

Round  8 – R650 000 (Theunis de Bruyn, Leus du Plooy, Rudi Second, Qaasim Adams, Heino Kuhn, Justin Ontong)

Round 9 – R585 000 (Rory Kleinveldt, Duanne Olivier, Andrew Birch, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan McLaren)

Round 10 – R520 000 (Dean Elgar, Malusi Siboto, Jonathan Vandiar, Colin Ackermann)

Round 11 – R455 000 (Khaya Zondo, Roelof van der Merwe)

Round 12 – R390 000 (Sibonelo Makhanya, George Linde)

Round 13 – R325 000 (Basheeru Walters)

Round 14 – R260 000 (Craig Alexander, Dane Piedt, Calvin Savage, Daryn Dupavillon)

Round 15 – R130 000 (Motkozisi Shezi)

Round 16 – R130 000 (Cody Chetty, Kyle Nipper, Tshepo Moreki)

Not included on that list are the international marquee players:

• Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)
• Chris Gayle (West Indies)
• Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)
• Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)
• Eoin Morgan (England)
• Kevin Pietersen (England)
• Kieron Pollard (West Indies)
• Jason Roy (England)

Eight of SA’s biggest names were labelled ‘SA Marquee players’, and their pay was not disclosed.

They are Quinton de Kock, David Miller, JP Duminy, Hashim Amla, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis.

It is believed they will earn in the region of $180 000 to $250 000 (R2,3 million – R3,3 million), the same figure as those international marquee players.

Each of the eight franchises has been assigned one international and SA Marquee player, and you can see the eight full squad lists HERE.

If this tournament can stop the drain of top players overseas, with guys like Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw basically irreplaceable at present, then it can only mean good things for the local game.

Just look after test matches please, Cricket South Africa, because that’s what it’s really all about.

[source:sport24]