All you need to know about the Pretoria Capitals ahead of the 2024 edition of the SA20, including predictions, players to watch, strengths, weaknesses and other factors worth understanding about last year's losing finalists.
Position last season
The Pretoria Capitals ended the round-robin stage of the 2023 SA20 in first position with 32 points. They won seven and lost three matches. The Capitals advanced to the final against Sunrisers Eastern Cape, but lost.
Notable squad additions
All-rounder Corbin Bosch has joined the Pretoria Capitals from the Paarl Royals. Bosch has also played in the Caribbean Premier League and Global T20 Canada.
Ireland batsman Paul Stirling and Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne have joined the Capitals, too. Verreynne previously represented the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20.
The Capitals have also signed Proteas fast bowler Daryn Dupavillon and local all-rounder Matthew Boast.
Paul Stirling is the latest addition for Pretoria Capitals
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) September 27, 2023
📷 Jio Cinema pic.twitter.com/TLy2jdtgmo
Players to watch
The Capitals have retained batter Theunis de Bruyn. He was their joint second-highest run-scorer in the inaugural SA20. De Bruyn collected 238 runs in 12 innings. He has international experience, having opened the batting for the Proteas.
Pretoria have also retained all-rounder Wayne Parnell. He was their captain last season. Parnell is among the best left-arm seamers in world cricket. He is capable of weighing in with key contributions with the bat, too.
England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has been retained by the Capitals as well. Rashid took 14 wickets in 10 innings for Pretoria last season. He is one of the top leg-spinners in the league and the bounce on offer in South Africa, in particular, should suit him again.
Batter Phil Salt is another England star in the Capitals’ ranks. He was with them last season – and hit two half-centuries. He has returned for Pretoria this season, too. They used their wildcard pick on Salt this time.
The Capitals will have New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham again. Neesham is another world-class all-rounder and can be more valuable with the bat than the ball – and vice versa – subject to the circumstances and scenario.
The addition of Stirling could be key for the Capitals. If or when selected in the playing XI, Stirling will likely open the batting and prove especially aggressive during the powerplay. Stirling has played international cricket for 15 years.
Dupavillon is an outright fast bowler. Although his career has been limited by injuries, he is still among the fastest bowlers in South Africa. The Capitals would do well to use him with the new ball and through the closing overs of the innings, especially on pitches that are not slow in nature. He is, of course, a local – and won’t count among Pretoria’s overseas quota per XI.
Salt ➕ Jacks = 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 !🔥
— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) December 24, 2023
The fiery opening pair is coming back to Centurion soon. 🙌#RoarSaamMore #CapitalsUniverse | @PhilSalt1 pic.twitter.com/5pgU2dWl9d
Strengths
The Capitals can take the experience of reaching the first SA20 final into this campaign. Losing to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in last season’s final hurt at the time, but several months later will provide the motivation required to chase the title again.
The retention of England star Will Jacks is important for the Capitals. He was their top run-scorer last season and has since gathered more experience, knowledge and understanding of domestic T20 cricket around the world. Jacks can also weigh in with some valuable spin bowling.
The Capitals won’t be allowed to line their XI with talent from abroad. Importantly, they have a solid core of South African players, including all-rounder Shane Dadswell, who has played in the Pakistan Super League. Boast and fellow local all-rounders Senuran Muthusamy and Migael Pretorius are key inclusions, too.
Weaknesses
Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje was the Capitals’ leading wicket-taker in the first season of the SA20. But he is currently sidelined by injury – and might not be available for the second edition of the tournament.
The Capitals opted for batter Steve Stolk as their rookie player. He has no experience at the professional level yet, but there is plenty of expectation for him to succeed on this big stage. Time will tell if this pressure tolls on him too much.
Like Nortje, Parnell’s 2023-24 season has been limited by injury as well. Whether the Capitals captain will be fully fit for the tournament remains in the balance. If Parnell is sidelined, Pretoria’s bowling resources will look even thinner.
Prediction
The Capitals should have enough in them to push for the play-off stage of the tournament, but it’s not likely they will reach the final again.
Highest wicket-taker
Rashid should be available for the entire tournament and can build on the success he had during last year’s campaign. Conditions at many of the tournament venues should suit him, especially when he bowls outside the powerplay.
Highest run-scorer
Proteas batter Rilee Rossouw was among the Capitals’ leading run-scorers with 202 in 12 innings last season. He is in decent form and well-positioned to score more than de Bruyn, Jacks and others this time. Rossouw could use the SA20 to again relaunch his career with the Proteas.
