SA20 preview: Sunrisers Eastern Cape eyeing third successive title

The team playing out from St George's Park under the leadership of captain Aiden Markram and head coach Adrian Birrel have dominated the first two editions of the tournament in much the same way the Springboks have won back-to-back rugby World Cups.

Speaking at the captains media, Markram said: "It's nice to be used in the same sentence as the Bokke, but really pumped to go for a third one this season.

"Obviously there are no guarantees. It's a hugely competitive tournament. Hopefully, in a month's time there is something cool that can happen."

Durban's Super Giants finished runners-up in last year's competition and have strengthened their squad with the acquisition of New Zealand legend Kane Williamson.

The Super Giants will be led on the field by Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj while the legendary figure of Lance Klusener will again be back in the dugout as head coach.

Maharaj said: "I am excited to learn from someone like Kane Williamson. He's been around the world. He has done really well as a leader. To be able dive into his insights and looking into the philosophies of how he leads teams."

Joburg Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis also believes the Wanderers-based team have added a significant amount of experience to their team which could prove the difference.

England big-hitter Jonny Bairstow will don the yellow jersey while South Africa-born New Zealand international Devon Conway also returns home.

Du Plessis added: "We've had some great signings in Jonny Bairstow, Devon Conway and (Sri Lanka seamer) Matheesha Pathirana.

"Those three guys and (Tabraiz) Shamsi are four proper cricket players. All in all our squad is very balanced."

MI Cape Town will seek to improve their fortunes in the 2025 campaign having taken home the wooden spoon in the first two editions.

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan will lead the franchise while they have also bolstered their fast bowling stocks with the signing of New Zealand seamer Trent Boult.

Rashid said: "It is good to see how our players have performed for their respective teams leading up to SA20, so I am excited to see how they do their best in SA20.

"Everyone is pumped up and ready to do their best for MI Cape Town this season."

Proteas middle-order batter David Miller will lead the Paarl Royals this season and is expecting more exciting cricket with packed crowds at Boland Park.

"It's been two very exciting seasons," Miller said. "All the games have been really fun to be part of. The level of competitiveness is also up there.

"I am looking forward to that again. There is a lot of energy in the stadiums."

The Pretoria capitals have appointed Rilee Rossouw as their new skipper ahead of the campaign and, like his batting, wants his team to play positively.

The Capitals will also have a new coach at the helm with former England international Jonathan Trott taking over the reins from Graham Ford.

Rossouw said: "We want to play positive cricket. We want to play good cricket and be competitive. Our cause remains the same as the last two seasons.

"We also have some key men that have to come back for us in the fast-bowling department. Hopefully, their toes and shoulders will be fine when the competition kicks off. They are looking good and progressing really well."

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