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
Pretoria Capitals face Paarl Royals in the first semi-final of the SA20 in 2023.
The start of play is scheduled for 5.30pm local time (3.30pm GMT) on Wednesday, February 8.
The game will be staged at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
The sharp end of the competition kicks off with a repeat of the final match of the group stage.
Pretoria Capitals are the team to beat in the knockout stage after progressing as group winners with seven wins out of 10.
They carry a bit of form into the final days of the competition too, having won three of the last four and perhaps have the psychological edge having beaten Royals less than 24 hours ago.
David Miller's side got what they needed from the final group game to creep into the last four on net run rate and won't want to just make up the number.
Having beaten Capitals earlier in the competition, by a comprehensive six wickets, they'll fancy they can spring another surprise.
Rilee Rossouw hasn't had things all his own way in 2023 [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]
It has been a tough SA20 for Rilee Rossouw, whose stellar 2022 has been dampened somewhat during the six-team competition.
The South African has only mustered 127 runs at 14.11 and is the clear weakness in the Capitals' otherwise near-faultless batting line-up, which has surpassed 200 twice.
Another middle-overs battle with Andile Phehlukwayo beckons in this first semi-final.
The allrounder is in the process of rebuilding his T20 career having originally been overlooked in the player auction.
Opportunities have come in the last three matches and Phehlukawayo was able to display his full range of skills against Rossouw in defeat to Capitals on Tuesday (February 7).
He delivered seven balls to the T20 World Cup centurion, conceding five singles and a boundary after starting with a dot, and will be eager for another opportunity to pin him down back at Centurion.
Heavy rain and perhaps even a thunderstorm is predicted around Centurion across Wednesday. Though there are reserve days in place for both semi-finals and the final, similar conditions are expected throughout the week in the Gauteng area this week.
Capitals are sweating over the fitness of captain Wayne Parnell, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury.
If the left armer is fit to return then either Migael Pretorius or Senuran Muthusamy will make way.
Royals have been relatively unsettled during the competition, fielding 18 players throughout.
They gave outings to Eoin Morgan, Paul Stirling and Mitchell van Buuren against Capitals, leaving the likes of Dane Vilas, Tabraiz Shamsi and Wihan Lubbe on the sidelines.
Pretoria Capitals: Eathan Bosch, Theunis de Bruyn, Shane Dadswell, Cameron Delport, Daryn Dupavillon, Will Jacks, Josh Little, Marco Marais, Kusal Mendis, Senuran Muthusamy, Jimmy Neesham, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Migael Pretorius, Adil Rashid, Rilee Rossouw, Phil Salt, Shaun von Berg, Colin Ingram (replaced Will Jacks from February 1)
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, Paul Sitrling (replaced Obed McCoy from February 6)
*Squads are for the whole SA20 and not specific to this match
Andile Phehlukwayo [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]
Pretoria Capitals: Phil Salt, Kusal Mendis, Theunis de Bruyn, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Ingram, Jimmy Neesham, Senuran Muthusamy, Migael Pretorius, Eathan Bosch, Adil Rashid, Anrich Nortje
Paarl Royals: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Paul Stirling, Dane Vilas, David Miller, Evan Jones, Mitchell van Buuren, Andile Phelukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Pretoria Capitals start the game as favourites with the bookmakers offering best odds of 4/5. Paarl Royals are the rank outsiders at 15/13.
You'd be hard-pressed to make a case for Royals against a Capitals side that looks better balanced.
Tickets are available for between 60 rand (£3) and 120 rand (£6) and can be bought through Ticketpro.
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.
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