The SA20 League gets underway in the second week of January with six new teams to contest this event. James Richardson previews the tournament.
Each of the teams is aligned with an IPL franchise and each has a squad of 17 players.
There are some incredible talents from around the world set to come and turn out in the SA20.
Durban Super Giants 4/1
The Durban Super Giants benefit from the Lucknow relationship by having one of their overseas professionals as their marquee South African player in Quinton de Kock.
As far as their overseas players, the Super Giants have bagged several top West Indies talents.
All-rounders Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers will bring plenty of versatility to the party alongside Keemo Paul and explosive opening batter Johnson Charles.
Also from abroad is left-arm quick Reece Topley who will operate alongside local quicks Kyle Abbott and Junior Dala.
Verdict: Playoff contenders
🏏💥😎💪🔜🔝#SuperGiantsStandTall | #DurbansSuperGiants | #DSG pic.twitter.com/IpgVqDuIjS
— Durban's Super Giants (@DurbansSG) January 7, 2023
Joburg Super Kings 9/2
The Joburg Super Kings will be disappointed with the withdrawal of rising English star Harry Brook but they do have some Three Lions in their group.
Another English left-arm quick in George Garton is on their books as is all-rounder Lewis Gregory.
Young South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee could be a player to watch in this group as he competes with Garton and West Indies quick Alzarri Joseph,
Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana might also prove to be a dangerous weapon for Faf du Plessis and company.
Verdict: Playoff contenders
Captain Fafulous with the lion in his heart! 🦁#WhistleForJoburg pic.twitter.com/a5I3rtOoSn
— Joburg Super Kings (@JSKSA20) January 7, 2023
MI Cape Town 33/10
MI Cape Town are perhaps the most loaded squad in the tournament bolstered by marquee man Kagiso Rabada, supported by superstar internationals and Proteas regulars.
Rashid Khan, Sam Curran and Liam Livingston are all in the MI squad.
Meanwhile, they also have the services of bright rising star Dewald Brevis and in-form wicketkeeper batter Ryan Rickleton.
Jofra Archer should be fully fit and ready to fire for this team which could make them that much more dangerous.
Verdict: Tournament winners
“Where’s @JofraArcher?”
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) January 7, 2023
Here he is 🏹🔥 pic.twitter.com/kg3of2KLCa
Paarl Royals 3/1
The Royals have pulled off a massive coup in bringing in perhaps the best T20 batter in the world right now in Jos Buttler.
They are also blessed with the services of David Miller who enjoys batting at Boland Park, where he set a world record for the fastest T20I hundred.
Experienced English campaigners Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan also make the Royals an incredibly tricky prospect for any team to face.
With Tabraiz Shamsi and Lungi Ngidi in the squad, bowling will be a great strength of the Western Cape outfit.
Verdict: Finalists
Jos Buttler - now batting for the first time as a Paarl Royal. 💗 pic.twitter.com/orYLWqXzLk
— Paarl Royals (@paarlroyals) January 6, 2023
Pretoria Capitals 7/2
The Capitals look set to lean very heavily on Anrich Nortje, Rilee Rossouw and Englishman Phil Salt.
Irish quick Josh Little might struggle to get into the starting XI with Nortje, Migael Pretorius, Daryn Dupavillon in the squad.
New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is a dark horse and somebody who can win games with bat and ball.
You would fancy that Adil Rashid will be a go-to man for the Capitals to get wickets through the middle overs.
Verdict: Round-robin
Southpaw Pace Battery Represent 🔥
— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) January 6, 2023
CAN'T WAIT to watch this duo at Centurion Park ✨#RoarSaamMore #PretoriaCapitals #BetwaySA20 pic.twitter.com/jqjdbjhQxN
Sunrisers Eastern Cape 9/1
While Aiden Markram is the marquee player, local boy Tristan Stubbs might just be the biggest draw for the Sunrisers.
The team is devoid of any real x-factor overseas players with the franchise gambling on a cabal of young Englishmen.
South African stars will need to step up for this team to go deep, but they do have the likes of Marco Jansen, Sarel Erwee and Jon-Jon Smuts hanging around.
Explosive batting and wicket-taking might be an issue for the Sunrisers.
Verdict: Round-robin
Good Morning, you beautiful Gqeberha 😍#SEC #SunrisersEasternCape #SA20 pic.twitter.com/bj9RNnmhMs
— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) January 4, 2023
