SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKETERS, Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, and Heinrich Klaasen have formed a consortium to acquire the fifth franchise of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with Madhukar Shree joining as managing partner.
The Rotterdam franchise will compete in the inaugural season, scheduled from August 26 to September 20, 2026. Across 33 matches, six city-based franchises Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, and Rotterdam will vie for honours in what marks a watershed moment for the sport in Europe, a media release said.
Abhishek Bachchan, Co-owner, ETPL, said: “It’s an honour to welcome three stalwarts of the game into franchise ownership within the ETPL. 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.”
Dhiraj Malhotra, co-founder, ETPL, said: “With decades of experience in franchise cricket, I have seen firsthand how critical the pedigree and vision of franchise owners are to the long-term success of a league. Jonty, Faf and Klaasen bring not just global experience and deep cricketing insight, but also a strong commitment to mentoring young talent, which will be invaluable in building both the team and the wider cricket ecosystem in Europe.”
Huib van Walsem, CEO, Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB), said: “The arrival of Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, and Heinrich Klaasen as franchise owners in Rotterdam marks an encouraging development 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. It is a positive moment for us and an opportunity to support the continued growth of the sport, strengthen grassroots development, create clearer pathways for young players, and further develop cricket across the Netherlands.
Jonty Rhodes said: “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.”
The Rotterdam announcement adds to an already star-studded ownership landscape across the league. The Amsterdam franchise is backed by Steve Waugh and hockey legend Jamie Dwyer. Belfast is co-owned by Glenn Maxwell, while Edinburgh is backed by Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum. Glasgow is co-owned by Chris Gayle, the release added.
