Paarl Royals begin the new SA20 season with clear title ambitions after finishing second in the standings in the previous campaign, though losses in both playoff qualifiers ended their run. Lhuan-dre Pretorius was the tournament’s leading run-scorer last time with 397 runs in 12 matches, at a strike rate of 167. Rubin Hermann added 333 runs in nine games at an average of 41.62, and captain David Miller and Dan Lawrence bring further experience.
With the ball, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman topped the wicket charts with 14 scalps in 12 games at an economy of 6.77, and Bjorn Fortuin took 11 wickets in 11 matches. Gudakesh Motie and Ottneil Baartman add depth to the attack.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape reached the final last season and finished as runners-up, and they have added several exciting players. Quinton de Kock arrives in strong form, having scored 156 runs in four T20Is against India at a strike rate of 181.39, and he opens with Johnny Bairstow. Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen and Patrick Kruger give the middle order depth.
Jansen and Anrich Nortje provide pace, Adam Milne brings wicket-taking ability, and AM Ghazanfar has taken 70 wickets in 59 T20 matches at an economy of 6.68. Our preview gives Sunrisers the edge, but the Royals’ batting depth should make it a close contest.