Cape Cobras v Knights at Paarl

 The reigning champions, at their home from home, will be desperate for a win: to lose two out of two in your own backyard is not the ideal way to begin the defence of the title.

The Cobras were well beaten by the Highveld Lions at Newlands last Sunday with a poor batting performance, in which only Justin Ontong and Dane Vilas showing any application in the first innings.

Still, they have the talent, and among the revelations this season is left-arm spinner George Linde, who also showed he can bat a bit with a fifth in the second innings debacle. He was given his opportunity when Robin Peterson was called up for international duty, and Dane Piedt was injured. He has responded magnificently, taking seven wickets against the Lions and is worth watching.

The Knights are also need in of a pick-me-up, having been beaten by the Titans in Bloemfontein this week.

After a dismal first innings, they at least restored their pride with a fighting 396 in the second innings, but the target was over the horizon.

They hold third place on the log on points difference, with two wins out of three, while the Cobras, having played only one game, are in the basement.

Dolphins v Titans at Durban

These are early days in the Sunfoil Series, but there is no time like the present for the Titans to seize the initative and get on a roll. Fresh from their emphatic victory over the Knights in Bloemfontein, they continue their campaign on Saturday in Durban, where the Dolphins had to fight for a draw in their opening match.

The Dolphins have not quite found their feet after missing the opening two rounds, due to Champions League commitments in India, while the Titans produced a solid all-round performance for their second win out of three. The Titans, having promoted young Thinus de Bruyn, may have found a solid opening pair at last – he and Heino Kuhn put on 81 against the Knights – and Rowan Richards and Marchant de Lange combined well to form a formidable pace attack.

Still, with players of the calibre of Morne van Wyk, David Miller and Ryan McLaren, the Dolphins will be confident of getting some momentum of their own.

The Titans sit in second place on the log, just 2.44 points behind the Highveld Lions, who have their feet up this weekend.

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