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2022/23 SA 20
Twenty20 format
Round-robin
2-4 February 2023
The scramble for the top-four places in the inaugural
SA 20 intensifies on the opening week of February as the six teams target qualification for the playoffs.
The action gets underway on Thursday, February 2 when Durban's Super Giants host MI Cape Town at Kingsmead.
Lance Klusener's side sit at the bottom of the standings after winning just two of their opening seven matches, having suffered four defeats on the spin.
The Super Giants lost by eight wickets to Joburg Super Kings last time out and need victory against MI Cape Town keep their playoff hopes alive.
Simon Katich's side are five points ahead of them in fifth position, having won three of their seven games to date and will be looking to bounce back from a 52-run defeat to Pretoria Capitals.
Paarl Royals will be aiming to consolidate their place in the top four when they meet Joburg Super Kings at Wanderers on Friday, February 3.
The Western Cape outfit trail leaders Pretoria Capitals by six points in third spot and are seeking their third consecutive win after beating Sunrisers Eastern Cape by five wickets on Tuesday, January 24.
the Super Kings currently occupy the final playoff place and are just one point adrift of the Royals following their recent triumph over the Super Giants.
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Faf du Plessis played a captain's innings as he scored an unbeaten 113 in 58 balls to register the first century of the SA 20.
Commenting on his knock, Du Plessis said: "Important for me to convert those scores, all the leagues I play, I try to get hundreds. Nice wicket, a bit sticky, then typical Wanderers, once you get in...
"[Reece]Topley bowled well, [Keshav] Maharaj got the ball to stick, felt we were behind the rate, then got the momentum back. Reeza [Hendricks], I was saying get me on strike, batting is about the partnership, we knew the back-end would be easier."
Sunrisers Eastern Cape will be targeting a second win against Durban's Super Giants when they clash at Kingsmead later that same day.
Adrian Birrell's side thrashed the Super Giants by a staggering 124 runs on Sunday, January 22 before being brought back down to earth by Paarl Royals two days later.
However, Sunrisers remain the closest challengers to Pretoria Capitals for pole position with two matches left to play as they have a better net run rate than the Royals.
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Meanwhile, Pretoria Capitals will attempt to cement top spot when MI Cape Town arrive at Centurion Park on Saturday.
Graham Ford's side got the better of the Mother City outfit most recently when they shone with the ball at Newlands to dismiss the home team for 130 runs, having set them a target of 183.
Wayne Parnell and Anrich Nortje picked up three wickets each to decimate the middle and lower order after only the top-four batters had reached double figures.
SA 20 fixtures
Thursday:
17h30: Durban's Super Giants v MI Cape Town
Friday:
13h30: Joburg Super Kings v Paarl Royals
17h30: Durban's Super Giants v Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Saturday:
17h30: Pretoria Capitals v MI Cape Town
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