We have a bumper weekend of SA20 action with the two cape derby fixtures bookending Saturday’s double-header. James Richardson previews matches 11-14.
MI Cape Town will welcome the Royals on Friday at Newlands and travel to what promises to be a scorching Paarl on Sunday.
On Saturday the coastal rivalry between the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Durban’s Super Giant plays out at Kingsmead.
Later that day we have the SA20 version of the Jukskei derby as the Joburg Super Kings welcome the Pretoria Capitals to the Wanderers.
Friday 19 January
MI Cape Town 82/100 | Paarl Royals 21/20 (17:30)
The Paarl Royals head to Newlands unbeaten in their three matches so far while MI Cape Town risks falling off the pace if they suffer a third loss in four matches.
The batting of Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen have been huge positives for MI Cape Town despite results not going their way.
The Royals star man has been Lungi Ngidi who should also be a handful at Newlands.
The Royals’ young batter Mitchell van Buuren is also one of the players to watch in the SA20.
Verdict: Paarl Royals 82/100
The Royals have looked good in the early stages of the SA20 and are tipped to pile more misery on their coastal neighbours.
Saturday 20 January
Durban’s Super Giants 67/100 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape 12/10 (13:30)
Depending on what happens on Friday, DSG could go to the top of the table with a home win over the Sunrisers.
DSG are one of only two teams to have secured multiple wins in the tournament but that could change this weekend.
In their last outing, DSG suffered their first defeat of the campaign, coming up short in a big chase against the Capitals.
Young Jordan Hermann’s brilliant hundred lifted the Sunrisers out of their gloom in emphatic fashion and showed that this team could still make a big push.
Verdict: Sunrisers Eastern Cape 12/10
DSG’s wobble against the Capitals leaves the door open for the Sunrisers. The Eastern Cape side are good value at 12/10.
Joburg Super Kings 5/4 | Pretoria Capitals 67/100 (17:30)
The Capitals gained a little bit of momentum at last with their win over DSG on Thursday night and hold that edge over the Joburg Super Kings.
JSK are deep in a rut having yet to win in four matches although they have log points thanks to their rained-off opener against the Sunrisers.
Still, JSK need their top order to fire and it doesn’t look like they have a form man to lead the charge.
The Capitals on the other hand will look to centurion Will Jacks who is one of three men to have tonned up in the SA20 to date.
Verdict: Capitals 67/100
The Capitals have all the momentum and should dispatch their trans-Jukskei rivals.
Sunday 21 January
Paarl Royals 82/100 | MI Cape Town 21/20 *forecast betting
This preview was written before the Royals faced MI Cape Town on Friday evening.
The second match in a weekend double act for these teams goes down at Boland Park in Paarl.
With the hot dry weather prevailing through the week this pitch will be as dry as can be and the Royals spinners could be a big factor.
Tabraiz Shamsi will be a wicket threat for the Royals and Imaad Fortuin should look to keep it tight.
MI Cape Town will need to quickly adjust to conditions to stand any chance at all.
Verdict: Paarl Royals
The Royals have momentum and should bag another all-important win.
