The ETPL continues to show its intent as three of South Africa's most celebrated cricketers are taking their passion for the game beyond the boundary. Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, and Heinrich Klaasen have formed a consortium to acquire the Rotterdam franchise with Madhukar Shree joining as Managing Partner.

Faf du Plessis, the co-owner and captain of the Rotterdam franchise: "When you look at ETPL, the first thing that stands out is the pedigree of players, the kind you see at the very top of the global game. You’re talking about names like Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Tim David, proven performers across the world’s biggest leagues. It’s the cream of the crop in overseas talent.

But what makes this even more exciting is the opportunity to be part of something new. Europe is still in its early stages when it comes to franchise cricket, and the potential here is enormous. It’s fresh, untapped, and that’s what makes it so compelling, you want to be part of that journey from the very beginning."

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. As we move towards completing the roster of six franchises, we are confident the ETPL will capture global attention. Together, we are committed to building something truly transformative for the sport 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.”

Heinrich Klaasen said: “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.” 

The Rotterdam announcement adds to an already star-studded ownership landscape across the league.