SA20 2023 match preview: Joburg Super Kings v Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 SA20

joburgsec01022301

Take out a digital subscription with The Cricketer for just £1 for the first month

What's the match?

Joburg Super Kings host Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the next match of the SA20 in 2023.

When is it taking place?

The start of play is scheduled for 1.30pm local time (11.30am GMT) on Sunday, February 5.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be staged at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Who's got the form?

Joburg Super Kings have won four and lost three of their completed matches this term, though their most recent fixture - against Paarl Royals - was washed out. 

That abandonment means Joburg have not batted as a unit since January 24, owing to the SA20's break for the South Africa-England ODI series. They won their last two matches before the break: against Durban Super Giants and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Sunrisers last won a game on January 22 (though that is only two completed matches ago). Their fixture on Friday was called off following heavy rain. Aiden Markram's side started the season poorly before a three-game winning run bumped them up the standings.

With the bat, Markram leads the Sunrisers charts with 206, while Adam Rossington (striking at 180 for his 182 runs at the top of the order) has shown form in recent weeks. Faf du Plessis has 277 runs for JSK, while striking at 148.

faf240102

Joburg Super Kings are led by Faf du Plessis [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]

What's the key match-up?

It seems obvious, but get Faf du Plessis cheaply and the dynamics of a JSK innings change. Du Plessis has fashioned himself into a something of a classy pinch-hitter in recent months, taking on the bowling in the powerplay, and he has got a start in several Super Kings innings, going on to make a wonderful hundred against Durban Super Giants.

Sunrisers' powerplay bowling needs to be on point to prevent a fast start. That means Sisanda Mangala and Marco Jansen performing. 

Roelof van der Merwe has been at the heart of much of what Sunrisers have done well this year. The left-arm spinner has 14 wickets, but more impressively an economy rate of just 4.73. If JSK can take him down, they could be on for a big score. 

What's the weather forecast?

Uh oh, rain's about. There's a 40 per cent chance of a shower throughout the day in Johannesburg. Conditions won't be ideal.

What is the team news?

Temba Bavuma is available to Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Tom Abell is no longer with the squad.

Aaron Phangiso has been swapped out of the Joburg Super Kings squad for Kyle Simmonds after the spinner's action was found to be illegal. Alzarri Joseph is no longer with the squad, and has been replaced by Matthew Wade

What are the squads?

Joburg Super Kings: Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Faf du Plessis (c), Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, George Garton, Lewis Gregory, Reeza Hendricks, Alzarri Joseph, Janneman Malan, Aaron Phangiso, Neil Brand, Romario Shepherd, Malusi Siboto, Maheesh Theekshana, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Matthew Wade (replaced Alzarri Joseph from February 1), Kyle Simmonds (replaced Aaron Phangiso from February 2)

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Tom Abell, Marques Ackerman, Ottniel Baartman, Brydon Carse, Mason Crane, Jordan Cox, Junaid Dawood, Sarel Erwee, James Fuller, Aya Gqamane, Marco Jansen, Jordan Hermann, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Adam Rossington, Jon-Jon Smuts, Roelof van der Merwe, Temba Bavuma (replacing Tom Abell from February 2)

*Squads are for the whole SA20 and not specific to this match

suneastcape19012301

Sunrisers Eastern Cape lost to Joburg Super Kings earlier in the season [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]

What are the possible starting XIs?

Joburg Super Kings: Faf du Plessis, Matthew Wade, Reeza Hendricks, Kyle Verreyne, Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Kyle Simmonds, Nandre Burger, Maheesh Theekshana

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Adam Rossington, Temba Bavuma, Jordan Hermann, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Jon-Jon Smuts, Marco Jansen, James Fuller, Roelof van der Merwe, Brydon Carse, Sisanda Magala, Ottneil Baartman

What are the odds?

Joburg Super Kings are the favourites for this match with Betway, with odds of 8/11. Sunrisers Eastern Cape are the outsiders at evens.

What's the prediction?

Sunrisers Eastern Cape to get revenge for their defeat to Joburg Super Kings earlier in the season.

Are tickets available?

Tickets start at 50 rand (£2.50) and can be bought through Ticketpro. 

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports has the UK rights to SA20 matches for five years, and the games will be spread across Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.

In India, Sports18 and Jio Cinema will broadcast and stream all the matches.

SuperSport will carry the games to South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.

In Australia, you'll need to go to Foxtel for full coverage.

The Cricketer will carry match reports from every game.


Related Topics

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.

Comments

LATEST NEWS

STAY UP TO DATE Sign up to our newsletter...
SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.