SA20 Preview | Sunrisers Eastern Cape seek stability as Joburg Super Kings search for momentum in Gqeberha

Sunrisers Eastern Cape returned to their home ground after a series of tight matches, where the outcome was often decided in the final overs. The team remains strong but struggles to defend middle totals.

Joburg Super Kings continue to search for a balance between attack and control.

Form Guide

Sunrisers' form in recent matches has been inconsistent. The team won confidently when they managed to set the pace from the first overs, especially in matches against the Capitals. At the same time, losses to Paarl Royals & Super Giants exposed the vulnerability of their bowling in the late innings. 

The Joburg Super Kings enter the match on the back of a long winless streak. A draw against the Super Giants and two rain-affected matches make it difficult to assess their form, but losses to MI Cape Town have highlighted difficulties in both chasing and defence. 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: W L NR W L

Joburg Super Kings: W NR L NR L

Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Joburg Super Kings Head-to-Head

Between 2023-2026, Sunrisers Eastern Cape have a slight advantage, with four wins to Joburg Super Kings' three.

In recent seasons, matches between these teams have often been closely contested, with the outcome decided in the final overs or dependent on individual performances. 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape 4-3 Joburg Super Kings

Pitch and Weather

The pitch at St George's Park in Gqeberha often offers moderate ball movement early in the innings, before becoming more conducive to run-scoring in the second half. However, as the surface wears, it can slow down, which increases the value of spin bowlers in the middle overs.

The weather forecast for January 14 is for no precipitation, with temperatures around 20-22°C. Evening matches here are often accompanied by dew, so the captain who wins the toss is likely to choose to bowl first to gain an advantage when chasing in the second innings.

Team News

The Sunrisers enter the match without any major losses. The main focus will again be on top-order experience and tempo attack. Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow remain key figures in the powerplay, while captain Tristan Stubbs is responsible for the tempo in the middle innings. Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen will play a special role in the bowling.

The Joburg Super Kings continue to rely on top-order experience and the versatility of their all-rounders. Faf du Plessis leads the team, while James Vince and Michael Pepper remain key to the start of the innings. In bowling, the focus will be on Akeal Hosein and Nandre Burger.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape (Probable XI): Quinton de Kock (wk), Jonny Bairstow, Matthew Breetzke, Jordan Hermann, Tristan Stubbs (c), Marco Jansen, Lewis Gregory, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Adam Milne, Tharindu Ratnayake

Joburg Super Kings (Probable XI): James Vince, Faf du Plessis (c), Michael Pepper (wk), Matthew de Villiers, Wiaan Mulder, Dian Forrester, Donovan Ferreira, Akeal Hosein, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Daniel Worrall

Broadcasting Platforms

SA20 matches will be available to watch on the tournament's official digital platforms and regional broadcasters. Online broadcasts are traditionally accompanied by detailed ball-by-ball statistics, which makes the match convenient for analytical watching.