South African cricket stars Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes and Heinrich Klaasen have joined forces to acquire the Rotterdam franchise in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), marking another significant development ahead of the league’s inaugural season later this year.
The trio formed a consortium to purchase the Rotterdam-based team, which will compete in the six-team tournament scheduled to run from August 26 to September 20 across multiple European cities. Du Plessis is also set to lead the side during the competition, combining ownership responsibilities with an on-field role.
Faf Du Plessis set to combine ownership and leadership roles
Former South Africa captain du Plessis described the move as an important milestone in his cricketing journey, particularly as it marks his first venture into franchise ownership.
“This is my first step into team ownership, and the timing couldn’t be better with European cricket gaining real momentum,” du Plessis said in a statement.
“Having experienced franchise leagues across the world, I see immense potential in what the ETPL is building. I’m looking forward to contributing both on and off the field and helping shape a strong cricketing culture within our team.”
Jonty Rhodes highlights opportunity to grow cricket in Europe
Rhodes emphasised the long-term impact the league could have on European cricket, noting the importance of building a sustainable cricketing structure across emerging markets.
“The ETPL presents a compelling opportunity. We’ve already seen glimpses of Europe’s cricketing potential on the global stage, especially at recent ICC events. What the region now needs is a strong commercial framework to unify and elevate this ecosystem. The ETPL offers exactly that, creating pathways to identify, nurture, and scale talent, and ultimately strengthening the game across Europe. I’m excited to be part of this journey,” Rhodes said.
Heinrich Klaasen outlines ambition behind Rotterdam franchise
Klaasen underlined the significance of Rotterdam as a cricketing destination and expressed confidence in the city’s ability to support the franchise’s long-term vision.
“Rotterdam is a city defined by ambition, and that’s exactly the mindset we want this franchise to embody. European cricket is clearly on the rise, and I’ve seen across the global T20 circuit how the right investment and structure can unlock a market’s full potential. We’re not just here to own a team, we’re here to build something the city and its fans can truly be proud of. I’m excited to get started,” Klaasen said.
European T20 Premiere League gathers momentum
The move was welcomed by league officials, including ETPL co-owner Abhishek Bachchan, who highlighted the importance of attracting prominent cricket figures to strengthen the tournament’s foundation.
“The league continues to gather momentum with globally respected names investing in its vision. Ownership groups like this set the standard for what the ETPL aims to create, both on and off the field. Together, we are committed to building something truly transformative for the sport in Europe.”
Huib van Walsem, chief executive officer of the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB), described the development as a major boost for cricket in the Netherlands.
“At KNCB, we have long believed in the immense potential of the Dutch cricketing ecosystem, and the involvement of such experienced cricket figures will bring both competitive cricket and attract quality talent to the region,” he said.
Six-team tournament set for August launch
The Rotterdam franchise joins an expanding list of teams backed by global cricket names. The Amsterdam franchise is supported by Steve Waugh and Jamie Dwyer, Belfast is co-owned by Glenn Maxwell, Edinburgh is backed by Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum, while Glasgow features West Indies great Chris Gayle among its ownership group.
Inspired by the success of franchise-based competitions worldwide, the European T20 Premier League aims to create a structured pathway for cricket’s growth across the continent, with six city-based teams competing in the historic first season later this summer.