These three head-to-head clashes between bowlers and batsmen could shape the outcome of the first playoff qualifier at Kingsmead.
Marco Jansen (Sunrisers) vs Shai Hope (Capitals)
Last season’s SA20 MVP, Marco Jansen has quietly gone about his work this campaign. While there have been no headline-grabbing hauls, the left-armer has consistently chipped away, moving past the 50-wicket mark in the competition.
Jansen currently sits seventh on the wicket-takers’ list with 10 scalps, but history suggests he saves his best for the playoffs, most memorably his five-wicket haul in the 2024 final at Newlands.
The tall Sunrisers seamer will pose a major threat in the powerplay, particularly to Capitals opener Shai Hope, who has carried much of the responsibility at the top of the order. Hope has scored 264 runs at an average of 33 and a strike rate of 136.08, and arrives at Kingsmead full of confidence after blasting a career-best unbeaten 118 at the venue last week.
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Quinton de Kock (Sunrisers) vs Lizaad Williams (Capitals)
Quinton de Kock’s return to the Sunrisers has been one of the stories of the season. Reunited with coaches Adrian Birrell and Russell Domingo, the veteran opener has rediscovered his best form, providing explosive starts at the top.
De Kock is currently second on the run-scoring charts with 328 runs at an average of 46.86 and a strike rate of 149.09, and is closing in on tournament leader Ryan Rickelton. Significantly, the Sunrisers’ two defeats this season have come in matches where De Kock failed, underlining his importance.
Capitals seamer Lizaad Williams will relish the challenge. Few bowlers bring the same intensity and heart as Williams, traits he displayed when closing out a tense win against the Joburg Super Kings earlier in the competition. The Capitals will be hoping that same resolve can help contain one of the most dangerous openers in the game.
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Anrich Nortje (Sunrisers) vs Sherfane Rutherford (Capitals)
This contest alone is worth the price of admission. Genuine pace versus raw power.
Anrich Nortje has steadily cranked up his speeds since returning from injury, regularly touching 150km/h. Released by the Capitals ahead of the auction, the fast bowler will be eager to make a statement against his former side.
Standing in his way is Sherfane Rutherford, who has almost single-handedly kept the Capitals in contention with fearless ball-striking. Rutherford has cleared the ropes from ball one throughout the tournament and has carried the middle order with authority.
Whether Rutherford can handle Nortje’s pace on a lively Kingsmead surface is one of the defining questions heading into the first playoff qualifier.
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Photo: Richard Huggard/Sportzpics
