SA20 2025-26 begins at Newlands with the defending champions MI Cape Town facing Durban Super Giants. Cape Town won their first title last season by crushing Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 76 runs in the final, and they return with confidence and a squad that has been strengthened further. Rashid Khan continues as captain.
Their batting relies on familiar names in Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton, while the pace trio of Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada and Corbin Bosch leads a formidable attack.
Durban Super Giants are keen to turn things around after finishing at the bottom of the table last year. Aiden Markram is again captain, and the batting is packed with quality in Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, Devon Conway and Markram himself. Eathan Bosch, Kwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee provide pace and firepower, while Noor Ahmad is the main spin option for the middle overs.
Newlands should offer early movement for the seamers and a pitch that gets easier for batting as the innings progresses, so a strong powerplay could be vital. Our preview gives MI Cape Town a slight edge on home soil.