Joe Root is back in Paarl. The England batter returns to the Royals for a second spell, and he joins a squad that is already full, with David Miller, Sikandar Raza, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ottneil Baartman among the names.
The Royals have never won the SA20, but they made the playoffs in 2026 and they have the competition's all-time leading wicket-taker.
Paarl Royals at a glance
How last season went
In 2026 the Royals finished third, beat Joburg Super Kings by 36 runs in the Eliminator at Centurion and lost Qualifier 2 to Sunrisers Eastern Cape by seven wickets. Ottneil Baartman took 20 wickets that season, the most in the tournament, and his 61 SA20 wickets are the most in the competition's history.
Paarl Royals squad (19 of 19)
Retained and pre-signed players announced on 5 August 2026. The squad is full before the auction.
Paarl Royals fixtures in IST
Royals fantasy picks
- Joe Root: the headline signing. An anchor who can accelerate and plays spin well.
- David Miller: the middle-order finisher. Late runs earn points when others fall away.
- Ottneil Baartman: the all-time wicket leader and a regular wicket-taker.
- Sikandar Raza: bat, ball and fielding. Allrounders who bat in the top six are rare.
Facts worth knowing
- Baartman has 61 SA20 wickets, the most ever.
- The Royals reached Qualifier 2 in 2026.
- They open on 18 January against Joburg Super Kings.
Squads for SA20 2027 are still being finalised, so confirm the playing XI on each match page before you lock. CricketDream adds every confirmed squad to the games as it is announced.
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Open the SA20 2027 hub for every fixture, team and your free games.
Open SA20 hubFrequently asked questions
Is Joe Root playing for Paarl Royals in 2027?
Yes, he returns to the Royals for a second spell.
Have the Royals ever won the SA20?
No. Their best result is the 2026 playoffs.
Who is the SA20 all-time leading wicket-taker?
Ottniel Baartman, a Paarl Royals bowler, with 61 wickets.
When do Paarl Royals play first?
Monday 18 January 2027 against Joburg Super Kings at Boland Park, at 9:00 PM IST.
Is CricketDream fantasy free to play?
Yes. Fantasy XI, Draft, Multi-Draft, Predictor, Cricket Quiz and CricketQuest are all completely free, with no entry fees and no cash prizes.