Thirteen years since their last domestic trophy, the Redbacks have emerged as the pacesetters for domestic Twenty20 cricket in Australia through a combination of aggressive recruiting and the selection of a versatile playing XI.

SA's 23-run defeat of Tasmania secured them the first place in the T20 Champions League in India later this year, while also procuring a home final in the domestic tournament.

It was, according to vanquished Tigers skipper George Bailey, a result that would influence other associations to gamble on signing players the calibre of Shahid Afridi and Kieron Pollard.

"I would've thought with what's on offer with the Champions League and the chance to test yourself against international sides and (gain) international sponsors and whatnot, most associations would be pretty keen to do that," Bailey said.

"There's a balance too because I think most of the state players are pretty good so it's about finding a fit and SA have done that really well, adding two quality players."

SA boast a team that bats as low as No.10 Mark Cleary - he has a first-class century to his credit - while also being able to call on as many as six quality bowling options plus part-timers Daniel Harris and Mark Cosgrove if required.

"They're just really consistent. It seems to me with their batting and bowling they are really clear with their plans," Bailey said.

"It makes it look really simple when they are going well and there's no doubt the balance of their team and the options they have ... a lot of spinners, a lot of medium pacers, (Shaun) Tait with his genuine pace and the same with the batting, they bat all the way down."

Redbacks captain Graham Manou admitted to great relief at guiding his team towards genuine success, the magnitude of which could be measured by the number of former players and board members who rushed into the home dressing room at the end of the match - player/administrator relations have not always been so jovial.