The highway to the SA20 2025-26 closing begins at present at Kingsmead, Durban, because the two-time champions Sunrisers Japanese Cape (SEC) face a resurgent Pretoria Capitals (PC). At stake is a direct ticket to the ultimate at Newlands; the loser must navigate Qualifier 2 to maintain their title hopes alive.
Sunrisers Japanese Cape have been the gold normal of SA20. Topping the desk with 28 factors, Tristan Stubbs‘ males have mixed scientific effectivity with big-game temperament. They enter this conflict having dominated the Capitals in each league conferences this season, together with a brutal 10-wicket win in early January.
Pretoria Capitals, led by Keshav Maharaj, completed second with 24 factors after a late-season surge. They arrive in Durban with 4 wins of their final 5 video games, lastly discovering the steadiness that eluded them early on. Whereas they misplaced each league video games to the Sunrisers, the Capitals’ bowling assault has just lately been probably the most disciplined within the event, defending two of the bottom totals this season.
SEC vs PC, SA20 2025-26 Qualifier 1: Match particulars
- Date and Time: January 21 (Wednesday); 9:00 pm IST / 03:30 pm GMT / 5:30 pm Native
- Venue: Kingsmead, Durban
SEC vs PC, Head-to-Head Document in SA20 2025-26:
Matches performed: 9 | Sunrisers Japanese Cape received: 5 | Pretoria Capitals received: 4 | No outcome/Tied: 0
Kingsmead Pitch Report
The pitch at Kingsmead, Durban, for this Qualifier 1 is anticipated to be a quintessential sporting monitor with a noticeable shift in behaviour for the 2025-26 season. Traditionally a inexperienced mamba favouring seamers with its sharp bounce and coastal swing, the floor in 2026 has grow to be considerably extra batter-friendly, with the common first-innings rating surging to roughly 195. Nonetheless, the excessive humidity and night lights will seemingly present early help to pacers. Whereas huge scores are achievable, the tide impact stays an element, usually aiding late-innings motion.
Squads
Pretoria Capitals: Will Smeed, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Shai Hope, Dewald Brevis, Roston Chase, Andre Russell, Bryce Parsons, Codi Yusuf, Gideon Peters, Keshav Maharaj (c), Lungi Ngidi, Tymal Mills, Lizaad Williams, Sibonelo Makhanya, Wihan Lubbe, Keith Dudgeon, Junaid Dawood, Sherfane Rutherford, Jordan Cox, Daniel Smith, Meeka eel Prince
Sunrisers Japanese Cape: Jonny Bairstow, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tristan Stubbs (c), Lewis Gregory, Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen, Patrick Kruger, Senuran Muthusamy, Adam Milne, Anrich Nortje, Chris Wooden, Allah Ghazanfar, JP King, Christopher King, Jordan Hermann, Mitchell Van Buuren, Tharindu Rathnayake, James Coles, Beyers Swanepoel, Lutho Sipamla
Additionally WATCH: Ottneil Baartman hat-trick seals Paarl Royals’ spot in SA20 2026 Playoffs
SEC vs PC, SA20 2025-26 Qualifier 1: At this time’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Sunrisers Japanese Cape wins the toss and bowls first
- Pretoria Capitals’ powerplay rating: 45-55 (6 overs)
- Pretoria Capitals’ complete rating: 155-165
Case 2:
- Pretoria Capitals wins the toss and bowls first
- Sunrisers Japanese Cape’s powerplay rating: 55-65 (6 overs)
- Sunrisers Japanese Cape’s complete rating: 170-180
Match outcome: Group bowling first to win the competition
Additionally READ: Sunrisers Eastern Cape skittle Paarl Royals for SA20’s lowest-ever total in one-sided win
