• SA20 heats up with six-way playoff race

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    The SA20 is gearing up for a super weekend of high-stakes action with all six teams battling for a place in the playoff positions.

    Defending champions the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and the Joburg Super Kings kick-start the proceedings in the first of their two contests this weekend at St George’s Park on Friday.

    The Sunrisers have already collected two consecutive home victories – and their third overall – this week.

    JSK, meanwhile, will be eager to build up some momentum before they return home for a string of four matches, starting against the Sunrisers at the Wanderers on Sunday.

    In between, the SA20 travelling caravan makes a double stop on a searing Saturday in the Western Cape.

    With the mercury levels set to reach 37°C at Boland Park for a mid-day start, the table-topping Paarl Royals will look to increase the heat even further on the Pretoria Capitals.

    The Royals have been in supreme form at home and will be eager to become the first team to secure a home playoff spot this season.

    “I think it’s super key to get that playoff place as soon as possible,” said Royals batsman Mitchell van Buuren. “The first two seasons we sort of let it slip towards the back end of the comp and ended up playing the eliminator game.

    “This year we would love to finish first, or at least in the top two, and get into the first qualifier and hopefully get into the final straight away.”

    The Capitals, meanwhile, have been beset by injuries, particularly to their fast bowlers, with former captain Wayne Parnell the latest to be ruled out, joining Anrich Nortje and Daryn Dupavillion on the sidelines.

    Jonathan Trott’s team will hope to find a way to rediscover the form that saw the Capitals finish runners-up in the inaugural 2023 season.

    Finally, all roads lead to Newlands on Saturday evening for the hottest ticket in the Mother City when MI Cape Town host Durban’s Super Giants.

    Robin Peterson’s side has delivered a string of impressive performances at home this season and will be eager to entertain the Newlands faithful again.

    DSG, however, find themselves in the must-win position of having to claim all the points on offer from their final three matches, starting with the clash against MICT, if they are to squeeze into the playoffs.

    “It has been disappointing, but for us it’s pretty simple now. We’ve got to win three from three to stand a chance. So let’s hope ​ we can do it and turn it around,” said DSG all-rounder Jon Jon Smuts.

    “Look, to be honest, we’ve all been up for it. I think we’ve got a really strong side. I think if you look at it, we’re obviously very disappointed in ourselves and the performances we put in.

    “And guys have a lot of self-pride. So I know the guys are really desperate to do well. Let’s hope in the next few games we can somehow show what we’re capable of.”

    Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics

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    Dylan Johnson