The inaugural Betway SA20 League starts on Tuesday with the carnival of cricket kicking off in Cape Town.
A total of 33 matches featuring 102 local and international players spanning six global franchises at six iconic South African stadiums is certainly the place to be over the next month.
Lions Cricket will be hosting five Joburg Super Kings home matches as well as the semifinal and final of this unique tournament.
12 DP World Lions players are set to hit the explosive new T20 cricket league, an accomplishment which speaks to the strength of the Lions Cricket Union, so says Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright;
“We’re exceptionally proud of our pride members – spread across all six franchises. Lions Cricket is excited to see our players continue their rich vein of form following their CSA One-Day Cup competition victory on 29 December 2022.
"In addition to the 12 players, we have three management coaches in Wandile Gwavu, Nandile Tayli and Prasana Agoram, ready to #WhistleForJoburg at the Joburg Super Kings as they take up key roles on Stephen Fleming's coaching staff.
"On the eve of the competition commencing, our players are ready; our stadium pitch is perfect and our fans can feast their eyes on the world’s best: It will be our honour to host all from far and wide!”
The first ball will be bowled at 5:30pm on 10 January at Newlands Cricket Ground. The MI Cape Town team features three DP World Lions superstars in Rassie van der Dussen; Ryan Rickelton and leading 2022 test wicket-taker Kagiso Rabada – all of whom will be up against the star-studded Paarl Royals inclusive of #ThePrideOfJozi players Mitchell van Buuren, Bjorn Fortuin, Codi Yusuf and Evan Jones.
Captained by Faf du Plessis, the Joburg Super Kings' campaign kicks off the following day against the Durban Super Giants. A match that will see DP World Lions players Malusi Siboto and Reeza Hendricks face 24-year-old allrounder and fellow Lion Wiaan Mulder, among others.
Joburg’s pride is then represented further when on 12 January, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s hard-hitting and wicket-taking Sisanda Magala will go head to head with Cameron Delport of Pretoria Capitals.
Coming off the back of their third consecutive One Day Cup title, the DP World Lions players will be in form, confident and each individual as determined as the other to add yet another trophy to their name.
“We are in for a smashing month ahead as South Africa cheers for their favourite team,” said Leaf-Wright. “We want our iconic stadium filled to the max, so come whistle for Joburg and support our home team: Joburg Super Kings. Our DP World Lions players participating in all teams across the competition would also really appreciate the support of our much-valued fans – so come enjoy the SA20 – it’s going to be extraordinary and exciting, guaranteed.”
The competition runs from 10 January to 11 February 2023.