All you need to know about the Paarl Royals ahead of the 2024 edition of the SA20, including predictions, players to watch, strengths, weaknesses and other factors worth understanding about last season’s losing semi-finalists.
Position last season
The Paarl Royals reached the semi-finals stage of last season’s edition of the SA20 after finishing in fourth position on the six-team points table. They won four and lost five matches – and shared a washout with the Joburg Super Kings. The Royals then lost their semi-final to the Pretoria Capitals.
Notable squad additions
The Royals’ biggest signing is arguably West Indian all-rounder Fabian Allen. He should have plenty of positive impact with the bat and ball. He has experience in the Indian Premier League, Abu Dhabi T10, Global T20 Canada and Caribbean Premier League.
Like Chris Benjamin at MI Cape Town, John Turner is another England star who was born in South Africa before relocating to the United Kingdom Turner joins the Royals after breaking into England’s white-ball squad for the December 2023’s tour of the Caribbean. He is an attacking fast bowler who should appreciate the extra pace and carry on South African pitches.
Ireland’s Lorcan Tucker has also joined Paarl. The talented wicketkeeper-batter played for the Trinbago Knights Riders in the 2023 Caribbean Premier League. Tucker is a solid back-up option to first-choice wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler at the Royals.
Ireland batter Paul Stirling and former England captain Eoin Morgan were in the Paarl squad last season, but not this time. The additions of Tucker and Turner are important after the exits of Stirling and Morgan – and all-rounder Corbin Bosch.
Fabian Allen Has Been Signed as Paarl Royal's Wildcard Player 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e9iIfhInJ5
— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) September 25, 2023
Players to watch
Young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is an exciting talent. At a mere 17 years old, he has played for South Africa Under-19 and debuted in first-class cricket. Maphaka will learn a lot from playing alongside Proteas seamers Lungi Ngidi and Andile Phehlukwayo at the Royals.
Ngidi and Phehlukwayo were with the Proteas at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Ngidi is an outstanding limited-overs bowler, while Phehlukwayo remains under-rated, especially with the ball.
Left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi is a genuine wicket-taking threat in most conditions. He gets plenty of turn and big bounce – and his variations frequently flummox unsuspecting batters. Shamsi is a massive asset for the Paarl Royals.
Spinner Bjorn Fortuin will likely open the bowling for Paarl on occasion. He doesn’t get a lot of turn, but bowls with a high arm action – wicket to wicket – and gets batsmen out with this consistent approach. He is also more than capable of weighing in with lusty blows with the bat down the order.
Buttler is a big-ticket name in the SA20. He needs to move on from an entirely disappointing 2023 Cricket World Cup campaign with England, but should have the motivation to do well with the Royals here. This is one of the most prolific six hitters in world cricket currently.
Our newest, youngest and fastest - Kwena Maphaka! 🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/vhXdUWn5T7
— Paarl Royals (@paarlroyals) August 3, 2023
Strengths
Local all-rounders are going to have a key role to play across all the teams in the SA20. Ferisco Adams and Evan Jones are two of the best on South Africa’s domestic cricket scene. Adams is a superb seamer, while Jones is stronger with the bat than the ball.
With the backing of the Royals franchise, who are also prominent in the Caribbean Premier League and Indian Premier League, Paarl have been given plenty of finance and resource to make this season a title-winning one. How well they utilise these provisions remains in the balance.
The Royals have a prolific combination of batters in Buttler, Jason Roy and David Miller. At the start or end of the innings, especially for Miller, these three can be entirely destructive. Their shot selection and calculated hitting will be instrumental for the Royals.
Weaknesses
Bosch’s move to the Pretoria Capitals has weakened the Royals’ local all-rounder stocks somewhat. Bosch’s absence will put more onus on Adams and Jones, who will be empowered or limited by the extra responsibility.
The Royals secured the final semi-final spot last season and then failed to reach the final. In short, their campaign fell short of expectation. That same expectation exists this time – and might toll. Buttler and company, of course, will have plenty of motivation going into 2024’s campaign.
Prediction
It takes a full team and, by extension, squad to win a T20 title. The Royals look to reliant on a handful of individuals. They might reach a semi-final again, but won’t likely go further.
Highest wicket-taker
Shamsi took eight wickets in nine matches for the Royals last season. Those are not prolific numbers, but he has gained more success and confidence since. In the right conditions, Shamsi can be a genuine match-winner. Keep an eye out for a big campaign from him.
Highest run-scorer
Buttler was the leading run-scorer in the 2023 SA20 overall. He struck almost 200 runs more than any other Paarl batter. If he is available and fit for the entire 2024 tournament, the England star will likely top the Royal’s run-scoring ranks again.
