Super Giants and Sunrisers to fight it out for SA20 title

After a dominant victory over the Joburg Super Kings on Thursday, Durban's Super Giants will face the Sunrisers Eastern Cape for a fourth time this season in the Betway SA20 final at Newlands on Saturday.

For the Super Giants, this is a first brush with a championship match, whereas the Sunrisers beat the Pretoria Capitals in the 2023 final at the Wanderers to be crowned inaugural Betway SA20 champions.

Coming off two losses, the Super Giants produced a flawless display with the bat and backed that up with a ruthless showing with the ball on Thursday night to book their spot in the final.

Their 69-run win on Thursday came largely through blistering half-centuries from Heinrich Klaasen and Wiaan Mulder as well as memorable bowling spells from Junior Dala, Naveen-ul-Haq and Reece Topley.

The Super Giants squad has chopped and changed throughout the competition with international players coming and going, however for Wiaan Mulder, he believes the side has been able to keep the focus and perform well despite the changes.

"Throughout the competition, it's been different guys putting up their hands," Mulder said. "Matty B (Matthew Breetzke) carried our batting for a long time and then Klaasie (Heinrich Klaasen) was the superstar.

"Noor (Ahmad) took like 15 wickets in three games and now Junior (Dala) has come in and put up his hand, so I think everyone wants to contribute and it's not a one-man show.

"It's very similar to the Sunrisers; they haven't had a stand-out, but all their players have contributed through the competition, and I think that's what wins you these competitions. You need different players putting up their hand."

With three previous meetings against the Sunrisers this season, the Super Giants have won one and the Sunrisers have won two. The rivalry that has been ignited between the two coastal teams this season adds more spice to an already exciting prospect this Saturday.

After a slight slump recently, Mulder believes the fighting spirit in the DSG camp has been a crucial element in getting them to this stage.

"The last match against the Sunrisers was an off day for us and we've managed to bounce back and qualify for the final.

"Being able to do that shows what we have in our camp and what the culture and environment is like," he added.

CAMARADERIE

Mulder emphasises the sense of camaraderie among the squad as a crucial factor in them getting to the final and believes it's a crucial element to any champion team.

"If you look at successful teams in whatever sport, you have your superstars, but you also have your team players that are just as important.

"Overall if you want to win competitions it doesn't just take one person, it's all about the team," Mulder emphasised.

Saturday’s Betway SA20 final between Durban’s Super Giants and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape will get underway at Newlands at 17:30.