SA20 Match Officials 2025 - Umpires, Referees Panel List

The Betway SA20 League is back for its third season, promising thrilling cricket action and top-notch officiating. With the opening match scheduled to take place at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on 9 January, the league has unveiled an experienced panel of 21 match officials. The panel includes 16 umpires and five match referees, who will oversee the group stage and ensure the highest standards of fairness and professionalism throughout the competition.

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Marais Erasmus: Leading the Way

One of the standout names in the officiating panel is Marais Erasmus, an internationally renowned umpire with an illustrious career spanning nearly 400 international matches. Erasmus has officiated in Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals, showcasing his versatility and deep understanding of the game. His wealth of experience will serve as a guiding force for the panel, ensuring that Season 3 of the Betway SA20 is officiated at the highest level.

Trailblazing Female Match Officials

The Betway SA20 continues to champion diversity and inclusion, with two of South Africa’s leading female cricket officials set to make an impact in Season 3.

Lauren Agenbag: Breaking New Ground

Lauren Agenbag is a trailblazer in women’s cricket officiating. As one of the most experienced umpires in Women’s T20 Internationals, Agenbag has earned global recognition for her exceptional skills. Her most recent achievement was officiating in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final 2024, cementing her status as a world-class umpire. Agenbag’s presence in the SA20 panel underscores the league’s commitment to gender diversity in cricket.

Shandre Fritz: A Veteran in Match Refereeing

Shandre Fritz, a former captain of the South African women’s national team, brings unparalleled expertise to the role of match referee. With 148 international matches under her belt as a referee, Fritz is a seasoned professional whose insights and leadership will be invaluable. She will be joined in the match referee ranks by Barry Lambson, Laurence Matroos, Zed Ndamane, and Gerrie Pienaar, forming a formidable team of referees for the league.

Umpire Exchange Programme Adds International Flair

The Betway SA20’s Umpire Exchange Programme with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) adds an exciting dimension to the officiating lineup. English umpire James Middlebrook will join the panel, officiating in four matches during the tournament. Middlebrook’s participation highlights the league’s dedication to fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange among cricket officials.

CSA Elite Umpires Panel Members in the Spotlight

Season 3 will feature several members of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Elite Umpires Panel. Notably, four officials from the ICC Elite Panel are part of the lineup:

Lubabalo Gcuma
Stephen Harris
Bongani Jele
Allahudien Paleker, who was recently named CSA’s Umpire of the Year for the 2023/24 season.

These officials are among the best in the game and will work alongside Erasmus and Middlebrook to ensure that the matches are officiated with precision and consistency.

Complete Umpires Panel for SA20 Season 3

The full list of umpires includes:

Lauren Agenbag
Marais Erasmus
Mazizi Gampu
Siphelele Gasa
Babalo Gcuma
Stephen Harris
Arno Jacobs
Bongani Jele
Thomas Mokorosi
Allahudien Paleker
Dennis Smith
Abongile Sodumo
Abdoellaah Steenkamp
Philip Vosloo
James Middlebrook (England)
Brad White

Match Referee Team

The five match referees for Season 3 are:

Shandre Fritz
Barry Lambson
Laurence Matroos
Zed Ndamane
Gerrie Pienaar

Diversity and Excellence in Officiating

The inclusion of such a diverse and experienced group of officials underscores the SA20 League’s dedication to excellence. From world-class umpires like Marais Erasmus to trailblazing figures like Lauren Agenbag and Shandre Fritz, the league has assembled a panel that reflects the evolving nature of cricket officiating. The mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent ensures a dynamic and professional approach to officiating every match.

Exciting Start to the Tournament

The opening match of Season 3 takes place at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on 9 January at 17:30 SAST. Fans will witness an exhilarating clash between the two-time defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town. As the tournament unfolds, the presence of such an accomplished officiating panel ensures that fans can enjoy fair and competitive cricket throughout.

With 21 match officials, including international legends, trailblazing women, and promising local talent, the Betway SA20 Season 3 is set to deliver a tournament that celebrates cricket’s diversity, professionalism, and excitement.