Tristan Stubbs Signs Extended UK Summer Deal with Hampshire and Southern Brave

South Africa batter Tristan Stubbs is set for a long summer in the United Kingdom after signing contracts with both Hampshire for the T20 Blast and Southern Brave for the Hundred, underlining the growing trend of multi-club arrangements in franchise cricket.

Stubbs will represent Hampshire in the Vitality Blast following the conclusion of the IPL in May, before continuing with Southern Brave in the Hundred later in the summer. His signing also highlights the increasing influence of Hampshire’s new majority owners, the GMR Group.

The Indian infrastructure conglomerate, which co-owns IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, acquired Rod Bransgrove’s stake in Hampshire in late 2024 in a deal valued at nearly £120 million. Earlier this year, GMR further expanded its footprint in English cricket by purchasing a 49% stake in Southern Brave, the ECB-owned Hundred franchise based at the Utilita Bowl.

Stubbs has emerged as one of Delhi Capitals’ standout performers in recent seasons, averaging 52.15 with a strike rate of 170.78 across the last two IPLs. He will return to the IPL for a third consecutive year next month before heading straight to Southampton.

The 24-year-old also has strong ties to Hampshire through the SA20, having captained Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the title last month. During that campaign, he worked closely with Adi Birrell and Russell Domingo—both familiar figures at Hampshire, with Domingo taking over as head coach this season.

“Tristan is a hugely talented player with strong connections to the club through his time at Delhi Capitals and his relationships with our coaches, past and present,” said Hampshire director of cricket Giles White. “He’s a wonderful addition, and having him involved is a massive boost for both our squad and the competition as a whole. We can’t wait to see him light up the Bowl.”

Stubbs was one of four direct signings made by Southern Brave ahead of next month’s inaugural Hundred auction, alongside Jofra Archer, Jamie Smith and Marcus Stoinis. While GMR have opted against renaming the franchise, they are expected to introduce a new kit design reflecting Delhi Capitals’ blue-and-red colour scheme, replacing Brave’s traditional green.

Stubbs will spend close to three months in Southampton, taking advantage of a gap in South Africa’s international schedule. The T20 Blast runs from May 26 to July 18, followed by the Hundred from July 21 to August 16.

Hampshire have now filled both of their overseas slots for the Blast, having also confirmed the return of Australian middle-order batter Hilton Cartwright, who played a key role in the club’s late surge to last season’s final.