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
Sunrisers Eastern Cape will host Pretoria Capitals in match three of the SA20 in 2023.
The start of play is scheduled for 5.30pm local time (3.30pm GMT) on Thursday, January 12.
The game will be staged in Gqeberha at St George's Oval.
Well, this is the first match of a brand new competition, so there's no current form or historic form to go on for either of these two sides.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape are owned by Sun TV Network, who also have Sunrisers Hyderabad of the Indian Premier League in their portfolio. Their head coach is Adi Birrell - the Hampshire head coach; Aiden Markram, the South Africa international, is their captain.
Pretoria Capitals' owners JSW Sports also own Delhi Capitals in the IPL and Dubai Capitals in the ILT20. They are led by head coach Graham Ford and captain Wayne Parnell.
Aiden Markram captains Sunrisers Eastern Cape [Getty Images]
Contain the Pretoria Capitals top four and Sunrisers Eastern Cape will have a great chance in this game. Phil Salt, Cameron Delport, Will Jacks and Rilee Rossouw represents a power-packed top order for the Capitals. All have high career strike rates, and like to strike through the line of the ball. Taking pace off early could be critical.
There is a 40 to 60 per cent chance of rain in Gqeberha throughout the scheduled playing time for this fixture. Temperatures are expected to touch 25 degrees Celsius.
Sunrisers have to choose which of their many Englishmen to leave out. Brydon Carse, Mason Crane, Jordan Cox, James Fuller, Adam Rossington and Tom Abell are all on their books.
Pretoria's overseas decision is likely to be between Jimmy Neesham and Josh Little. Irishman Little has been in superb T20 form over recent months, but Neesham adds depth to the batting order and a versatile and cool head in the chase.
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
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
*Squads are for the whole SA20 and not specific to this match
Rilee Rossouw is on Pretoria Capitals' books [Getty Images]
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Adam Rossington, Sarel Erwee, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Marques Ackerman, JJ Smuts, Marco Jansen, James Fuller, Brydon Carse, Ottniel Baartman, Sisanda Magala, Mason Crane
Pretoria Capitals: Phil Salt, Cameron Delport, Will Jacks, Rilee Rossouw, Theunis de Bruyn, Migael Pretorius, Wayne Parnell, Adil Rashid, Daryn Dupavillon, Anrich Nortje, Josh Little/Jimmy Neesham
Betway have Pretoria Capitals the favourites at 4/6 for the win. Sunrisers Eastern Cape are outsiders at 11/10.
Pretoria Capitals have strength in depth in all aspects of the game. Sunrisers are the mystery of this competition, and until we see them in action, we're not convinced. Away win.
Tickets are available from 60 rand for children (£3), and 80 rand for adults through Ticketpro. Prices range up to 120 rand (£6) for the most expensive enclosures.
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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