In warm-up matches prior to the league’s second season, which begins on January 10, a number of well-known South African athletes who opted for SA20 over international cricket in New Zealand will face international teams.
The Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, and Nandre Burger-led Joburg Super Kings have scheduled two practice games against Namibia’s national team at the Wanderers.
In addition to giving both teams significant playing experience, these games are an essential part of the build-up to the SA20 season. David Wiese, a Joburg Super Kings player and Namibian international, will interestingly represent the squad rather than his country.
Similarly, the Netherlands has been invited to practice matches by SunRisers Eastern Cape, which features players like Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Marco Jansen. Scott Edwards’ squad, the Netherlands, won praise for their performance in the previous year’s 50-over World Cup in India. A series of matches against the SunRisers, Paarl Royals, and MI Cape Town are set for them.
We have the wonderful possibility of playing exhibition matches against top-tier competition. Rudi van Vuuren
Namibia Cricket chief executive Rudi van Vuuren was excited about the occasion, saying it’s a great chance for them to play practice matches against such an elite opposition. They are getting ready for the T20 World Cup, for which they have qualified quite well.
“Playing practice matches against such elite competition is a great chance for us. We have qualified for the T20 World Cup, and this is a great preparation for it. About it, we are ecstatic. Through these games, a few players will become more well-known. The head of Namibia Cricket, van Vuuren, sent a statement to Cricbuzz saying, “We are also excited for our Under-19 team, who have qualified for the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.”
On January 10, the SunRisers Eastern Cape, the reigning champions, and the Johannesburg Super Kings will square off in the opening match of the second SA20 season.