The Pretoria Capitals host the Joburg Super Kings in the 24th match of the 2025 SA20. The hosts will be aiming to return to winnings ways as JSK take aim at consecutive wins and a playoff spot.
2025 SA20 – Game 24
Pretoria Capitals v Joburg Super Kings
Tuesday 28 January 2025 – 17:30
SuperSport Park
The Jukskei derby is back, and there is plenty to play for as a win for JSK would effectively end Pretoria’s hopes of making the play-offs. Conversely, a win for JSK would secure them a top-four place and a place in the play-offs.
Pretoria have struggled all season with just a single win from their seven games. They have had two games ending with no result due to weather, but SA20 2025 has been a struggle for Rilee Rossouw’s charges.
To Win Match
Pretoria Capitals 23/20 | Tie 25/1 | Pretoria Capitals 72/100
In the context of SA20, SuperSport Park is a high-scoring venue. It holds the record for the tournament’s highest-ever score (254 for four by DSG in 2023), the highest total by a side batting second (214 for eight by PC v MICT in 2024) and the highest individual score (116* by Kyle Verreynne for PC in 2024).
SuperSport Park to host run-fest
Expect runs to flow again on Tuesday, as happened with the last game at the venue when both sides posted scores in excess of 200.
These sides have met each other on five occasions with the Capitals winning just once. JSK have won two and the other two have ended with no result. Weather is predicted to be good on Tuesday so a result should be on the cards.
Pretoria Capitals
It hasn’t been a great tournament for the Capitals as they have struggled to generate any sort of momentum. They are a good team, and they started the tournament highly fancied, but it simply hasn’t worked out.
Skipper Rilee Rossouw has been one of the biggest disappointments of SA20 2025. A veteran of the T20 circuit he is a powerful hitter of the ball and a player who can have a major influence on the outcome of games. Sadly, his runs have been sadly lacking this season as he has managed just 32 runs from six innings at an average of 5.33.
Captials’ underperformers aiming to make amends
Big things have been expected from openers Will Jacks and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but while they haven’t been as disappointing as Rossouw, they will also feel that they have underperformed. Both scored handsomely in their opening fixture against DSG, but since then the runs have trickled rather than flowed and both batters are averaging in the mid-twenties. Jacks made 56 on the weekend against the Royals but it has been very much hit-and-miss for the dashing opening combination.
Englishman Will Smeed scored 54 in his only innings thus far. The Capitals need to throw caution to the wind now and go for broke – surely it is time to return Smeed to the mix.
Capitals looking forward to fresh injection to make impact
There was a change to the Capitals squad at the end of last week with former skipper Wayne Parnell exiting the building. He has been replaced by Australian all-rounder Tom Rogers who most recently was with the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League. Rogers didn’t feature on Saturday, but he may well get a look in on Tuesday as the Capitals go all out to keep their chances of a play-off place alive.
𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘯 😉👌#RoarSaamMore #BetwaySA20 pic.twitter.com/uUEw3whsOg
— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) January 27, 2025
Joburg Super Kings
Faf du Plessis’ side are hanging in there in fourth place and right now a play-off spot is theirs to lose. Cape Town and Paarl are already guaranteed a top-four finish and SEC are all but over the line, which means that if Durban or Pretoria are going to sneak their way in it is JSK who are under threat. They will be very conscious of this and will want to secure their place in the top four as quickly as possible.
JSK peaking at the right time
JSK delivered probably their best performance of the tournament on Sunday as they reversed Friday’s result against SEC to win handsomely at the Wanderers. They bowled and fielded well and lost just one wicket as they chased down a modest score. It was a very good effort.
In a tournament like SA20 momentum is important, but so too is peaking at the right time. JSK, with their veteran skipper Faf du Plessis, could just have nailed that element perfectly. Devon Conway is coming right at the top of the order, Lutho Sipamla has struck form at the right time, Wihan Lubbe is undefeated in his last two knocks and the experienced Hardus Viljoen claimed four for 24 in his last knock.
JSK possess big-time players with BMT
Jonny Bairstow is a player with plenty of experience and big match temperament. He’s averaging 39.25 this tournament from five innings. JSK may want to try to get him a bit higher up the order for Tuesday’s game as he has the ability to single-handedly change the course of a game. At a venue like SuperSport Park, he is the type of performer who should face as many balls as possible.
Tuesday’s game is JSK’s last away game of the pool stage, they finish their campaign with home encounters against the Royals and DSG.
Verdict: Joburg Super Kings
Both sides are going to want this badly, but there is a big difference between wanting it and being able to deliver. The pieces still haven’t fallen in place for Pretoria and at this stage of the tournament, you need your processes and people to be in place and working nicely.
It may not be perfect for JSK yet, but it’s a lot smoother for Faf du Plessis’ side than it is for Rilee Rossouw’s.
Leading from the front! 🔥
— Joburg Super Kings (@JSKSA20) January 27, 2025
To more roars and wins coming your way! 🦁💪#JSKvSEC#WhistleForJoburg#ToJoburgWeBelong#SA20 pic.twitter.com/IsDSMN2p1s
