The SA20, South Africa's new franchise tournament, begins tomorrow on the 10th January. There is plenty of promise available, from an interesting range of overseas players to a combination of established South Africa internationals and rising talents. The six teams, all named after IPL teams due to shared ownership, will seek to find their optimal combinations quickly and effectively.
Durban's Super Giants
Potential starting XI: Quinton de Kock, Johnson Charles, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Mayers, Wiaan Mulder, Dwaine Pretorius, Jason Holder, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelen Subrayen, Junior Dala, Reece Topley
A strong West Indies representation will provide the Super Giants with some firepower and all-round options. Charles and Mayers have scored well in recent months, including the Caribbean Premier League, while Jason Holder is a well sought-after player around the world for his skills with bat and ball.
De Kock will captain the side as one of the best players in the tournament and could well open up with Charles. Klaasen has been a mainstay in the South African setup over the past few years, as has wily spinner Maharaj. Such a description does not befit Dwaine Pretorius anymore following his international retirement but he will still provide significant all-round quality, as will the emerging Wiaan Mulder.
Subrayen was picked up in the direct acquistion stage, along with England's beanpole seamer Reece Topley. There is a lot of all-round quality in the side but that could also lead to a lack of batting sustenance.
Prediction: 1st
Johannesburg Super Kings
Potential starting XI: Faf du Plessis, Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, Kyle Verreynne, George Garton, Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams, Maheesh Theekshana
The Super Kings have a seemingly strong domestic-based batting lineup, despite the in-demand Brook not able to turn out as star overseas attraction. Du Plessis, Hendricks and Malan all have substantial international experience, while Ferreira is seen as one of the hottest properties in South African limited overs cricket at present.
Such a strong top six could be offset with a weaker bowling lineup. The excellent Theekshana will lead an attack that could well feature the largely untested Garton and Shepherd. Coetzee is another a strong talent that will be looking to make a name for himself.
There is of course a strong chance that Alzarri Joseph will make the team regularly to bolster the bowling ranks. Outside Theekshana, the overseas spots are likely wide open, with Lewis Gregory and South African-born du Plooy joining Joseph, Shepherd and Garton for spots that will likely be at seven and eight.
Prediction: 3rd
MI Cape Town
Potential starting XI: Ryan Rickelton, Liam Livingstone, Rassie van der Dussen, Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran, George Linde, Rashid Khan, Duan Jansen, Jofra Archer, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks
Despite arguably the most star-studded team in the tournament, MI Cape Town still have a few questions hanging over them on the eve of the competition. The fitness of Livingstone and Archer will be looked at, though if both are fit and available then they will join Curran and Rashid as an overseas quartet that would not look out of place anywhere in world cricket.
Those four will join 'Baby AB' Brevis, the 19-year-old known to be one of the biggest talents out there, and Rabada who is a bonafide world star. Van der Dussen has been in sublime form in South Africa colours in recent years, while Hendricks, Rickelton and Linde all have recent international experience. Duan Jansen will be looking to put his name on the map alongside twin brother of Marco.
A bit of rejig could be needed should one or both of Livingstone or Archer not be available, with powerful West Indies all-rounder Odean Smith, England pacer Olly Stone and young Afghani Waqar Salamkheil all waiting in the wings.
Prediction: 2nd
Paarl Royals
Potential starting XI: Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Evan Jones, Dane Vilas, David Miller, Eoin Morgan, Corbin Bosch, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
The Royals were hit with a blow to their chances following an injury to Obed McCoy, who subsequently pulled out of the tournament. They are indeed lacking in overseas alternatives but do have quality in their domestic ranks.
The overseas players they do have available, though, are three of the main reasons behind the white ball success of England in the last five years or so. It is almost a given that Buttler will open with Roy, while Morgan will slot into the middle order alongside captain Miller.
Bosch has impressed both domestically and overseas with the Barbados Royals, while two of South Africa's foremost bowling options in Ngidi and Shamsi will provide serious quality. Phehlukwayo, a recent South African international, was given a second chance as a wildcard, having controversially gone unsold in the auction.
Prediction: 4th
Pretoria Capitals
Potential starting XI: Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Rilee Rossouw, Cameron Delport, Theunis de Bruyn, Jimmy Neesham, Wayne Parnell, Migael Pretorius, Adil Rashid, Anrich Nortje, Daryn Dupavillon
The Capitals could likely field a new-gen England opening partnership with Salt and Jacks potentially forming an explosive top three with Rossouw. Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis is also a very strong option for the top of the order.
The bowling stakes appear strong, with Rashid, Parnell and Nortje leading the attack. Pretorius and Dupavillon have impressed in the CPL in recent years as well as on the domestic scene and they will form a strong seam attack with Parnell and Nortje. Neesham will provide a strong all-round option and will likely act as a finisher with the bat.
That being said, while the top order is likely to get off to some incredible starts thanks to the intimidating nature of that top three, the middle order and batting depth could leave the Capitals short at times. However, that is countered well with the strength of the bowling lineup.
Prediction: 5th
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Potential starting XI: Adam Rossington, Jon Jon Smuts, Aidan Markram, Tom Abell, Tristan Stubbs, Jordan Hermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Brydon Carse, Ottneil Baartman
The Sunrisers have a strong South African core, not least because both van der Merwe and Carse are both South Africa-born. They have a balance crop of overseas talent, primarily from England. Abell could well slot in nicely in the middle order, while Jordan Cox and Rossington could battle for the gloves and opening batting position.
Markram will lead the side and can call upon two of South Africa's most promising young players in Stubbs and Marco Jansen. Magala and Smuts provide experience in the bowling and batting departments respectively, while Baartman has an impressive T20 economy of just under 6.5. 20-year-old Hermann could be given a chance to impress following some strong recent domestic form.
James Fuller and Mason Crane provide a huge amount of T20 experience, having both recently won the T20 Blast with Hampshire. Test opener Sarel Erwee is also in the squad.
Prediction: 6th
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