SA20 2023 match preview: Paarl Royals v MI Cape Town

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?

Paarl Royals host MI Cape Town 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 Saturday, January 21.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be staged at Boland Park in Paarl.

Who's got the form?

Two teams with identical records, both of whom will think with their resources that they should be travelling beter than three defears each in five games.

None of Jos Buttler, Jason Roy nor Eoin Morgan have fully got going yet for Paarl, while Sam Curran is short of his best for MI, whose bowling attack is one of the great franchise line-ups but look a touch light in the batting department.

Defeat for either of these teams could well see them drop to the bottom of the table should Durban and Joburg pick up points from theiir sixth matches. 

^{MI Cape Town were beaten by Sunrisers Eastern Cape last time out [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]}

What's the key match-up?

Getting Buttler early is key in any T20 contest and this will be no different, particularly given the indifference of Roy's form over the last 12 months. Expect Cape Town to come at the pair hard, with any combination of Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone and Rashid Khan, all of whom have looked in decent rhythm over the last fortnight.

Cape Town need batters to step up alongside their top three. Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton and Grant Roelofsen have all got starts and shown signs of decent touch, but Curran has plenty more to add from his allrounder spot.

George Linde has 104 runs at an average of 52 and a strike rate upwards of 170, emerging as one of the side's most important players.

What's the weather forecast?

A smattering of cloud but mostly sunny, with temperatures hitting around 24 degrees Celsius at the start of play on Saturday.

What is the team news?

Paarl's lack of overseas alternatives might save Roy, whose struggles have been difficult to watch. Mitchell van Buuren is yet to feature but is an option in the top six.

MI Cape Town have decisions to make around the composition of their bowling attack, while Liam Livingstone is yet to feature.

What are the squads?

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

MI Cape Town: Ziyaad Abrahams, Jofra Archer, Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Rashid Khan, George Linde, Liam Livingstone, Wesley Marshall, Delano Potgieter, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Grant Roelofsen, Waqar Salamkheil, Odean Smith, Olly Stone, Rassie van der Dussen

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

^{Bjorn Fortuin in action for Paarl [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]}

What are the possible starting XIs?

Paarl Royals: Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Wihan Lubbe, David Miller, Eoin Morgan, Dane Vilas, Evan Jones, Bjorn Fortuin, Codi Yusuf, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

MI Cape Town: Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, Grant Roelofsen, Rassie van der Dussen, Sam Curran, George Linde, Delano Potgieter, Odean Smith, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Olly Stone

What are the odds?

MI Cape Town are the favourites with Betway, with 4/6 available on the away win. If you fancy a piece of Paarl Royals, they are priced at 11/10 with the same bookmaker. 

What's the prediction?

MI Cape Town will be confident of repeating their opening-game victory over Paarl, particularly if they can dismiss Buttler early.

Are tickets available?

Tickets are available for between 60 rand (£3) and 120 rand (£6), 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.