This is not a Proteas tour and carries no ICC ranking points. It is the franchise legends circuit, and South Africa Champions return to the World Championship of Legends (WCL) in the UAE, 3 to 18 October, with AB de Villiers leading the side.
They arrive as defending champions. In the 2025 final at Edgbaston on 2 August, South Africa Champions beat Pakistan Champions after De Villiers smashed an unbeaten 120 off 60 balls, with 12 fours and 7 sixes. South Africa reached 197/1 in 16.5 overs chasing 196, and JP Duminy added an unbeaten 50.
WHO IS IN, WHO IS OUT
WCL’s official team page lists 14 players for Season 3.
Returning from the 2025 title side (12): AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, SJ Erwee, Morne van Wyk, Wayne Parnell, Hardus Viljoen, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Dane Vilas, Duanne Olivier.
New this year (2): Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram.
Hashim Amla, Chris Morris and JJ Smuts, all part of the 2025 title side, are not on the official list. The page shows 14 names, so treat the squad as subject to change.
THE UAE CAMPAIGN IN SOUTH AFRICAN TIME
Seven teams are in the field, with Bangladesh Champions the new side. The top four advance. All times are SAST.
- Sun 4 Oct: vs West Indies, Sharjah, 13:30
- Tue 6 Oct: vs India, Sharjah, 13:30
- Fri 9 Oct: vs Australia, Dubai, 13:30
- Sat 10 Oct: vs England, Dubai, 13:30
- Mon 12 Oct: vs Pakistan, Sharjah, 17:30
- Wed 14 Oct: vs Bangladesh, Sharjah, 17:30
The semi-finals are on Friday 16 October and the final is on Sunday 18 October, all in Sharjah. SuperSport carried the 2025 event, but 2026 broadcast rights have not been confirmed.
South Africa Champions open their title defence against West Indies in Sharjah on Sunday 4 October at 13:30 SAST, and Just Plain Sport will follow every match.
More South African cricket: Kagiso Rabada at 30, from Jozi townships to World Test Championship hero.
