The log-leading Blitz remain in the hunt for a home final, while the Stars are encroaching on the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants’ second position in the six-team standings as the Mzansi Super League heads back to Newlands.

Cape Town Blitz

The tournament favourites hit a bit of a wobble with defeat to the Paarl Rocks and a washout with the Giants, but got back on track with a second triumph over the Tshwane Spartans. Victory over the Stars here won’t quite seal a home final, but will go a long way towards banking that top spot.

The Cape Town outfit beat the Jozi unit comfortably earlier in the tournament, but have since lost Anrich Nortje, who played a star role in that match, to injury. Meanwhile, Dawid Malan is back from the T10 League in Sharjah, but is batting down the order due to the dominance of the homegrown Janneman Malan at the top.

Jozi Stars

West Indian big-hitter Chris Gayle is back from the United Arab Emirates, too, and will likely slot in alongside Reeza Hendricks at the top of the order. All eyes, meanwhile, will be on Hendricks to see if he can record a third successive century.

He’ll be confronted by an inspired opposition attack, spearheaded by Dale Steyn, though. On the flipside of Hendricks and Gayle versus Steyn and others, there’s Quinton de Kock against Kagiso Rabada. This clash, indeed, presents several intriguing head-to-head battles within the war.

Chink in armour

The Blitz really do rely on a firing top order, and with the unpredictable Andile Phehlukwayo and Farhaan Behardien batting at three and four respectively, opportunity knocks for the Stars to really tuck into the lower order early.

Prediction

This will probably be the biggest tussle of the tournament so far, at one of the better venues, in front of one of the larger crowds. The Blitz should oblige their home faithful – and walk away with a win.

Where to next

The Stars will head to Durban to take on the Heat, while the Blitz will stay at home to meet the Rocks. Both matches will happen on Friday.

Photo: Gallo