As Betway SA20 Season 4 reaches its halfway crease, the tournament is entering its most treacherous phase where every over feels like a final spell and squad depth becomes the difference between a fluent cover drive and a mistimed edge.
With playoff places tightening like a spinner’s grip on a dry surface, several franchises have gone back to the dressing-room chalkboard, tweaking their combinations for the run-in.
Durban reload with star power
Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) have made the boldest move, replacing Proteas World Cup-bound Tony de Zorzi with England allrounder Liam Livingstone. It is a change that swaps promise for proven power, with Livingstone capable of turning games in the time it takes to blink between deliveries.
De Zorzi has been released to focus on rehabilitation ahead of next month’s ICC T20 World Cup, while Livingstone returns to familiar SA20 turf after previous stints with MI Cape Town and Pretoria Capitals.
DSG have also welcomed West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine, who arrives at Kingsmead as Devon Conway departs for New Zealand’s international commitments. Narine is T20 royalty, a two-time ICC T20 World Cup winner and serial franchise champion, the kind of bowler who bends matches like a doosra bending past the outside edge.
In less welcome news, Rising Star Gysbert Wege has been ruled out due to illness and has left the DSG camp to undergo rehabilitation. No replacement has been named.
Joburg reinforced after injury blow
Joburg Super Kings (JSK) have been forced into a change after top-order batter Rilee Rossouw was sidelined by injury. In response, they have recalled seamer Duan Jansen, who impressed in his previous stint, notably producing a career-best 4/23 against Pretoria Capitals at Centurion, a spell that hit like a short ball under the helmet.
JSK’s batting has also been bolstered by the arrival of former England international James Vince, a seasoned campaigner with close to 13,000 T20 runs on his résumé.
“It’s really good to be here. It’s nice to actually get into the nets, I am looking forward to it,” Vince said.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to bat with him (Joburg Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis) again. He’s been around a long time, a quality player. One of the best players SA has had, so it’ll be a pleasure to open up with him.”
With Vince’s classical timing complementing du Plessis’ authority, JSK suddenly look a top order capable of batting long and batting deep.
Russell announces himself in Capital style
Pretoria Capitals have already rolled the dice, and landed on six, by handing a debut to West Indies T20 legend Andre Russell. Russell announced his arrival in South Africa in the most Russell way possible, smashing a boundary straight down the ground off the very first ball he faced in Betway SA20.
The Jamaican powerhouse replaces seamer Keith Dudgeon, adding muscle and menace to the Capitals’ middle order.
England international Jordan Cox has also been drafted in, replacing Rising Star Daniel Smith. Cox is no stranger to SA20 pressure, having been part of Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s title-winning squad in the inaugural 2023 season.
MI Cape Town’s dramatic first season 4 win
MI Cape Town edged past Joburg Super Kings revised target of 128 with four balls remaining to claim their much-needed first victory of the competition on at a sold-out Newlands Tuesday.
With tickets for remaining matches selling fast, fans can secure seats via www.SA20.co.za as the league charges into its decisive overs, where every squad call could prove the match-winning stroke.
