Pretoria Capitals vs Paarl Royals, SA20 2023, Today Match Prediction 07 February 2023

pc vs pr Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the last league game of the SA20, 2023, where hosts Pretoria Capitals will be up against the Paarl Royals. The Capitals have already made it to the semi-finals despite losing against the Durban Super Giants in the last game. The Royals have to win this one to secure a berth in the next round, as their previous game was washed away by rain.  

The two sides had met earlier, and the Paarl Royals had won the game comfortably. They would like to take inspiration from that win and deliver a similar performance. The Capitals have won three out of four games they have played at home. It will make them confident, and we should see the game going down the wire. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pretoria Capitals Preview

It was an off day for Theunis de Bruyn's side in the last game as they suffered a thrashing 151-run loss against the Durban Super Giants. The team sits on the top of the points table, and they are through to the semi-finals. It is the last league match for the team, and de Bruyn will look to win it and gather steam ahead of the knockout.  

Philip Salt and Kusal Mendis haven't been consistent at the top, and the pair shall look to set up a big opening wicket stand in this game. The middle order is strong for the team, and they will like runs from Rilee Rossouw, Theunis de Bruyn, and Colin Ingram. James Neesham and Eathan Bosch add to the side's batting strength down the order.  

Eathan Bosch has been in good form, and he will like to grab early wickets along with Anrich Nortje. Joshua Little and Neesham are experienced bowlers and they have an important role. Migael Pretorius, Daryn Dupavillon, and Neesham leaked runs in the last game, and the side will expect better spells from them. 

Pretoria Capitals Predicted Playing XI:

Theunis de Bruyn (c), Philip Salt (wk), Kusal Mendis, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Ingram, James Neesham, Anrich Nortje, Migael Pretorius, Eathan Bosch, Daryn Dupavillon, Joshua Little

Pretoria Capitals Actual Playing XI:

Rilee Rossouw, Migael Pretorius, Philip Salt, Anrich Nortje, Colin Ingram, Theunis de Bruyn, Eathan Bosch, Adil Rashid, Kusal Mendis, James Neesham, Senuran Muthusamy

Paarl Royals Preview

David Miller's side comes into this contest with their last game against the Joburg Super Kings abandoned due to rain. The side has to win this game as they are tied on the same points with the Durban Super Giants. A huge loss can technically put them out of contention for the semi-finals. Miller will like to win this one and gain confidence ahead of the next round.  

Batting looks strong for the team, with Jason Roy and Jos Buttler looking in good form. The pair shall look to provide a good start in this game. Wihan Lubbe must score quickly at No. 3 and build partnerships with Dane Vilas and Miller. Andile Phehluwayo, Evan Jones, and Mitchell Van Buuren must perform the role of finishers well in this game.  

Lungi Ngidi and Bjorn Fortuin will have to get early breakthroughs for the team, as their opponents have firepower in the batting department. Tabraiz Shamsi, as a T20 specialist, must bowl tight spells in the middle overs. The side will also like to see Jones and Phehlukwayo get their lines right.

Paarl Royals Predicted Playing XI:

David Miller (c), Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Wihan Lubbe, Mitchell Van Buuren, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Vilas, Evan Jones, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Paarl Royals Actual Playing XI:

Evan Jones, Mitchell Van Buuren, Jason Roy, Paul Stirling, David Miller, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Codi Yusuf, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather at Centurion on February 7 shall be overcast. The pitch wouldn't be the easiest of surfaces to bat on where the ball shall bounce and move. Batsmen will need to be cautious with their shot selection, and a score of 170 plus would be a good total to defend. 

Venue Details

The wicket at the SuperSport Park, Centurion, has been good for the fast bowlers who can extract pace and bounce front the surface. The true nature of the pace also makes it easy for the batsmen to hit the ball. The large size of the venue creates lots of opportunities for twos and threes at this venue. The spinners haven't done well here. 

Toss: To Bowl

It is one of the fastest wickets in the world, where fast bowlers have done well with the new ball. With the weather expected to remain cloudy, it will be a challenge to bat on this track. We expect the side winning the toss to bowl first on this wicket and try and exploit the early juice on the surface.