SA20 2023 match preview: Joburg Super Kings v Paarl Royals

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

What's the match?

Joburg Super Kings host Paarl Royals 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 Friday, February 3.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be staged at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Who's got the form?

Both sides will be looking to continue their winning form as the business end of the tournament approaches.

Paarl Royals sit in third position with 17 points, but are only one clear of Joburg Super Kings who have a game in hand, and both sides have won their past two games.

Last time out, Joburg faced Durban Super Giants and put on a dominant bowling and batting display en route to an eight-wicket win.

The Royals, meanwhile, have beaten top-two Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in their most recent outings.

^{Faf du Plessis [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]}

What's the key match-up?

Joburg captain, Faf du Plessis, is on fire right now - last time out, he scored 113 not out off just 58 balls to steer his side to comfortable victory. In total, the opening batter has 277 runs from his seven innings so far and sits third on the MVP list for the tournament.

Lungi Ngidi, who enjoyed a successful ODI series against England, will be the man looking to unsettle du Plessis with the ball. Bjorn Fortuin has 13 wickets in just eight matches and could also be a candidate to get the Super Kings in a spin.   

Jos Buttler, like Ngidi, also had a productive ODI series and will hope to continue where he left off with the Royals. Maheesh Theekshana will likely have the unenviable task of trying to halt him.

What's the weather forecast?

There is a moderate chance of rain during the game with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius.

What is the team news?

A number of players, including Buttler, Jason Roy, David Miller, and Ngidi, could be absent from this match owing to their recent involvement in the South Africa-England ODI series.

Matthew Wade has replaced Alzarri Joseph in the Super Kings camp while Aaron Phangiso has been suspended from bowling due to a non-compliant action. Kyle Simmonds is set to take his place.

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 (replacing Aaron Phangiso from February 2)

Paarl Royals: Ferisco Adams, Corbin Bosch, Jos Buttler, Bjorn Fortuin, Evan Jones, Wihan Lubbe, Imraan Manack, David Miller, Eoin Morgan, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo,  Jason Roy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ramon Simmonds, Mitchell van Buuren, Dane Vilas, Codi Yusuf

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

^{Jos Buttler [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]}

What are the possible starting XIs?

Joburg Super Kings: Faf De Plessis (c), Matthew Wade, Reeza Hendricks, Neil Brand, Leus du Plooy, Donavon Ferreira, Romario Shepherd, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Maheesh Theekshana, Kyle Simmons

Paarl Royals: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Wihan Lubbe, Mitchell Van Buuren, Andile Phehlukwayo, David Miller (c), Dane Vilas, Evan Jones, Imaad Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

What are the odds?

Paarl Royals are the favourites, with odds of 3/4. Joburg Super Kings are the underdogs with odds of 11/10.

What's the prediction?

Paarl Royals will take the victory if they get all their players back from the ODI series. The batting line-up of Joburg, even with the addition of Wade, will struggle to keep pace with an inform Buttler and Roy. 

Are tickets available?

Tickets are available for between 50 rand (£2.38) and 2495 rand (£118), 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.