The second edition of the SA20 gets underway this week with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape out to retain their title. After a shock winner in the first season, we know that this tournament can throw up anything. We look at each team and their chances of taking the trophy here.
Durban’s Super Giants
Hamstrung by a slow start last time out, Durban’s Super Giants have sought to keep some continuity with nine players returning to the group from last season.
That would have been 11 but for the withdrawal of Kyle Abbott and Sri Lankan speedster Dilshan Madhushanka with injury. Abbott was replaced by Tony De Zorzi, who enjoyed a fine international summer with the bat. Meanwhile, Madhushanka will be supplanted by Afghan spinner Noor Ahmed.
Attacking left-handed Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa is back in Durban and is joined by three West Indies internationals and a current England star among the overseas professionals. Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran and Keemo Paul bring the Caribbean flavour to DSG, while Reece Topley comes into the tournament in good form.
Dolphins all-rounder Bryce Parsons joins as DSG’s rookie for the 2024 campaign and is a young player to watch.
There has probably been a little too much upheaval at DSG for them to mount a serious challenge, but their prospective opening pair of Quinton de Kock and Mayers is one that will still give bowlers sleepless nights.
Prediction: Finish last
There’s been plenty of upheaval at the Durban franchise. They are capable of grabbing a big scalp or two, but could ultimately finish down the table.
Subrayen vs Klaasen 🍿🔥
— Durban's Super Giants (@DurbansSG) January 8, 2024
Witnessing supercharged blockbusters in the nets 😎 pic.twitter.com/YuaC4muhng
Joburg Super Kings
The Joburg Super Kings have a strong squad led by T20 franchise hot property Faf du Plessis, and they should be in the hunt for the title.
With the experience of featuring in the Big Bash League, and the Caribbean Premier League Afghan spinner Zahir Khan could be the ace up the Super Kings’ sleeve.
Their leading wicket-taker in 2023, Aaron Phangiso, had his campaign cut short after being deemed to have a suspect action, but he has worked on remodelling and has been cleared to play in the 2024 season.
Semi-finalists last season, after their strong start, tapered off again; this team has a class in every department. Veterans like Imran Tahir and Du Plessis will be further augmented by experienced internationals like Romario Shepherd and Moeen Ali. There is something about Du Plessis and Moeen in Super Kings yellow.
Prediction: Winners
I really like the look and balance of this JSK side. I’m backing them to dethrone the Sunrisers in 2024.
Swinging 🔙 To Season 1️⃣! 🦁⏪#Rememberthegame #WhistleForJoburg #ToJoburgWeBelong #SA20 pic.twitter.com/z7BRg1oxx7
— Joburg Super Kings (@JSKSA20) January 7, 2024
MI Cape Town
MI Cape Town will be led by Kieron Pollard, even as he managed to upset the Mumbai Indians fanbase just days before with a cryptic tweet about loyalty. Pollard has always been a feisty character and is arguably at his best when pushing the edge.
This team looked nailed on to do well in the opening season but didn’t fire as much as they would have liked, not helped by a poor surface at Newlands.
The pitch question hasn’t been cleared up after the Test debacle at the ground but they will hope for better T20 wickets this season.
Robin Peterson, who previously filled the role of General Manager, has taken over the head coaching duties from Australian Simon Katich and will be aided by Lasith Malinga.
George Linde and Liam Livingstone might be the two players to watch in this team even though they play similar roles most often, and there are superstars like Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, and Pollard in the mix.
The elements of success are there, but this team will likely reach the playoffs only to come unglued at the crucial moment.
Prediction: Playoff loss
The Cape side are tipped to get into the play-offs but no further.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗜𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘!
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) January 7, 2024
Kieron Pollard will be captain for MI Cape Town in SA20.
Read more: https://t.co/qARqOIPv4T#OneFamily #MICapeTown #SA20 pic.twitter.com/f706kpymJW
Paarl Royals
Some have questioned the Paarl Royals‘ decision to name David Miller captain with the Proteas star considered a little too laid back to skipper a T20 side.
Miller does have the likes of England’s white-ball skipper Jos Buttler to call on for leadership aid, and the wicketkeeper will undoubtedly serve as a hub of sorts for the Royals.
The Royals will also hope that Buttler finds his most explosive form, given that Boland Park won’t be able to contain him if he really lets loose.
West Indies duo Obed McCoy and Wildcard signing Fabian Allen bolster this squad’s international experience.
England top order batter Jason Roy also joins his skipper in the Boland with young seamer John Turner in tow. Exciting Irish batter Lorcan Tucker rounds off the overseas contingent.
Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin should be the key bowlers for this side and could help this team become formidable in the field.
Prediction: Fifth missing playoffs
Another disappointing campaign could be in store for this superstar-laden outfit.
David Miller (C) walking out to bat for the first time at Boland Park in 2024. 🏡💗 pic.twitter.com/z6z1mXuLXT
— Paarl Royals (@paarlroyals) January 5, 2024
Pretoria Capitals
SuperSport Park is the home ground of serial winners but the Pretoria Capitals are yet to put silverware into the trophy cabinet.
They might find themselves falling agonisingly short of glory this season as we predict they will lose the final to their near-rivals, the Joburg Super Kings.
The Capitals should be a force in the round-robin phase with excellent depth of talent in their squad.
They have retained 2023 star Will Jacks despite his improved profile and increased national team experience, and he will no doubt enjoy batting at SuperSport Park again.
It is unclear what part if any Anrich Nortje will play in the SA20 having been out all summer with injury. Eathan Bosch stepped up in his absence last term, and it might be another chance for him to push for higher honours.
Prediction: Runners-up
My prediction? The Capitals will fall in the final against their Trans-Jukskei rivals.
Talk about technical batting, we hear Theunis de Bruyn. 👌#RoarSaamMore #SA20 pic.twitter.com/yEJGpRoD8x
— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) January 7, 2024
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape were the surprise package of the 2023 tournament and shocked the pundits when they lifted the trophy.
Coach Adi Birrell and his assistants Dale Steyn and Baakier Abrahams will be joined by Russell Domingo in the dugout in 2024. The ex-Proteas head coach joins as batting coach for Season 2.
Once again the Sunrisers will hope that they can turn St George’s orange and dominate their home games which will give them a shot at the playoffs.
With the surprise factor gone the Sunrisers will need to step up their game to return to the final this season.
Skipper Aiden Markam is in pretty good white-ball form, and the Sunrisers have added runs banker Dawid Malan to their pack in an indication that they mean business this term.
Prediction: Playoff loss
They’ll struggle to reach the heights of last season but will remain a real force in the second edition of the comptition.
Captain's got that trophy grin back!🏆#SEC #SunrisersEasternCape #PlayWithFire pic.twitter.com/2iolDiAlLI
— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) January 8, 2024
