Former Proteas star batter AB de Villiers believes next year's inaugural SA20 comes at the perfect time for South African cricket.
De Villiers will be part of the SuperSport commentary team for the SA20, which is set to get under way from 10 January to 11 February.
The SA20 gets under way at Newlands Cricket Ground for a Western Cape derby on Tuesday, 10 January, which sees MI Cape Town hosting Paarl Royals.
The inaugural season of 33 matches as six teams vie for R70 million, with a week break to fit in the Proteas' three-match ODI series against England.
De Villiers, who has played 78 T20Is, 222 ODIs and 114 Tests, says the SA20 is just the boost the game requires in South Africa.
"I think the SA20 comes at a really good time for South African cricket. We have seen the amazing things that these leagues have done to cricket in particular nations," De Villiers said in a press statement.
"To give our youngsters this base and the foundation to get exposure at the highest level against the best players in the world is what it's all about."
This comes following the Proteas' innings and 182-run defeat against Australia in the second Test as the hosts take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series.
READ | Boucher, AB, KP to go behind the microphone for inaugural SA20
De Villiers will be keeping a close eye on MI Cape Town's young batting sensation, Dewald Brevis, who has been dubbed 'AB Baby' due to his affection for the Proteas legend.
Brevis has since gone on to play in this year's Indian Premier League and recently smashed a record-breaking T20 century for the Titans as he scored 162 off just 57 balls in T20 Challenge.
De Villiers believes Brevis' development will be greatly aided by playing alongside England's T20
cricket
AB de Villiers
sa20
Dewald Brevis