Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes, and Heinrich Klaasen Acquire Rotterdam Franchise for European T20 Premier League Faf du Plessis, along with Jonty Rhodes and Heinrich Klaasen, has formed a consortium to acquire the Rotterdam franchise for the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), a six-team tournament set to debut in August 2026. The league, which will run from August 26 to September 20 across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, aims to establish itself as one of the premier T20 competitions globally. Du Plessis, who will co-own the team and captain it, emphasized the league’s potential to align with South African cricketing values while fostering growth in Europe. The ETPL, a 33-game tournament, marks a significant step in expanding T20 cricket beyond traditional strongholds. Rotterdam, the fifth franchise sold in the league, joins Amsterdam (backed by Steve Waugh), Belfast (co-owned by Glenn Maxwell), Edinburgh (supported by Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum), and Glasgow (co-owned by Chris Gayle). Dublin remains the sixth team in the competition. The consortium’s decision to focus on South Africa reflects a strategic effort to diversify the league’s international appeal, with Rhodes highlighting the desire to add “a little bit of a needle” to matches against Australian and New Zealand teams. Du Plessis, a seasoned player known for his versatility across leagues, described the ETPL as an opportunity to contribute to a “new tournament” and “build something very South African.” He noted the league’s potential to attract global audiences by showcasing high-profile players and creating an engaging experience for fans. “You want to make sure you align with the ones that are the best,” he said, underscoring the league’s ambition to become a benchmark in T20 cricket.#heinrich_klaasen #faf_du_plessis #jonty_rhodes #rotterdam #european_t20_premier_league
