1xBet announces Sunrisers Eastern Cape sponsorship for SA20

Yogonet reported on 7 January 2026 that 1xBet announced a sponsorship agreement with Sunrisers Eastern Cape for the SA20 season running 26 December 2025 to 25 January 2026. The announcement described the team as founded by Sun Group and based in Gqeberha. The report placed the team among the most successful in South Africa.

At the time of the announcement, the team had won the first two SA20 seasons and finished runner-up in the third. According to Yogonet, the release said the agreement placed the 1xBet logo on the front of match and training jerseys. Other announced placements included stadium advertising and team bench seating.

Where the 1xBet brand was announced

The release listed the placements covered by the agreement. It included television broadcasts during team matches and partner social media. Yogonet reported that the team expected experienced cricketers Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs to play in the new season.

Planned fan activities in the 1xBet announcement

Yogonet reported that the company planned player Meet & Greet events and signed-merchandise giveaways for fans. The source did not establish that these planned activities occurred. Announcements of these and other promos were to be published on the brand's social media channels, according to the report.

• Meet & Greet events with players
• Signed-merchandise giveaways
• Promo announcements on 1xBet social media

What the club and company said

A 1xBet representative said Sunrisers Eastern Cape is a two-time champion of the league and that the company was excited to support the team's pursuit of another victory. The representative said the partnership would be a natural extension of 1xBet's global cricket development programme.

K. Shanmugam, the team's CEO, said the club had reached the final three times and won twice over three SA20 seasons. He said the club aimed for the highest goals in the new season with the help of official partner 1xBet. He described the brand as one that loves to win.

Team results before the announcement

Yogonet reported that the team had reached the final in all three SA20 seasons before the announcement. The team won two titles and finished as runner-up once. At the time of the announcement, the first two seasons ended in victory and the third in a runner-up finish.

Player movements before the season

Yogonet reported that, during the off-season, the team bought top newcomers Matthew Breetzke and Anrich Nortje at auction for $350,000 and $285,000, respectively. The report said the aim was to strengthen performance for the new season. Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs were expected to play for the team.

• Matthew Breetzke brought in for $350,000
• Anrich Nortje brought in for $285,000
• Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs in the squad

First match after the announcement

Yogonet reported that in their first tournament clash, Sunrisers Eastern Cape defeated the Paarl team at their home ground by 137 runs. Newcomer Anrich Nortje was named player of the match. According to the report, the win and bonus point confirmed the team's status as favourites and their ambition to claim a record third title.

The announcement covered a season that ran from 26 December 2025 to 25 January 2026. Yogonet published its report on 7 January 2026.