Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 SA20
Joburg Super Kings take on Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the first semi-final of the SA20 in 2023.
The start of play is scheduled for 5.30pm local time (3.30pm GMT) on Thursday, February 9.
The game will be staged at Supersport Park, Centurion.
Joburg Super Kings are the in-form side, going unbeaten in their past five matches (four wins, one no result) to finish the regular season in second position.
Sunrisers, by contrast, have struggled of late, winning just one of their past five - a 124-run victory over Durban Super Giants.
They faced the Super Kings in their final group match and lost by 24 runs and also lost to their semi-final opponents when they met in January, losing by five wickets.
Kyle Simmonds has taken six wickets in his past two matches for the Super Kings [SA20]
With the highest wicket taker in the competition in Roelof van der Merwe, Sunrisers Eastern Cape have a threat in the bowling department.
He didn't have much luck against the Super Kings last time out, leaking 28 runs from just three overs but did impress when the two sides met in January, returning figures of 2 for 16.
The Super Kings have been somewhat reliant on their top three for runs in the competition, so if Faf du Plessis, Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Wade are removed early, they could find themselves in a sticky situation. Leus du Plooy saved the Super Kings last time out against bottom side MI Cape Town.
Throughout the tournament, Joburg have also been impressive defending totals. In their last two matches, batting first on both occasions, they have restricted their opposition to 113 and 136, respectively, taking 19 wickets across 37.5 overs.
Damp and even stormy conditions could disrupt this semi-final, with a 70 per cent chance of rain throughout the afternoon. A reserve day has, however, been allocated for both semi-finals.
Kyle Simmonds hasn't had a long time to gel with his teammates at the Super Kings after being drafted into the squad in place of Aaron Phangiso but has immediately settled into the XI, returning figures of 6 for 66 across his three appearances.
Aside from a half-century from Temba Bavuma, Sunrisers Eastern Cape's batting has left a lot to be desired in recent matches, but is the semi-final really the place for wholesale changes?
Joburg Super Kings: Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Faf du Plessis (c), Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, George Garton, Lewis Gregory, Reeza Hendricks, Alzarri Joseph, Janneman Malan, Aaron Phangiso, Neil Brand, Romario Shepherd, Malusi Siboto, Maheesh Theekshana, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Matthew Wade (replaced Alzarri Joseph from February 1), Kyle Simmonds (replaced Aaron Phangiso from February 2)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Tom Abell, Marques Ackerman, Ottniel Baartman, Brydon Carse, Mason Crane, Jordan Cox, Junaid Dawood, Sarel Erwee, James Fuller, Aya Gqamane, Marco Jansen, Jordan Hermann, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Adam Rossington, Jon-Jon Smuts, Roelof van der Merwe, Temba Bavuma (replacing Tom Abell from February 2)
*Squads are for the whole SA20 and not specific to this match
Roelef van der Merwe is a threat for Sunrisers Eastern Cape [SA20]
Joburg Super Kings: Faf du Plessis, Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Wade, Leus du Plooy, Sibonelo Makhanya, Donovan Ferreira, Kyle Simmonds, Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams, Maheesh Theekshana
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Adam Rossington, Temba Bavuma, JJ Smuts, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, James Fuller, Brydon Carse, Sarel Erwee, Roelof van der Merwe, Sisanda Magala
Joburg Super Kings are the favourites, with odds of 4/6. Sunrisers Eastern Cape are available at 11/10.
It should be déjà vu for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who have already lost to the Super Kings twice this season. Joburg win.
Tickets are available for between 130 rand (£6.15) and 260 rand (£12.30) and can be bought through Ticketpro.
Sky Sports has the UK rights to SA20 matches for five years, and the games will be spread across Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.
In India, Sports18 and Jio Cinema will broadcast and stream all the matches.
SuperSport will carry the games to South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.
In Australia, you'll need to go to Foxtel for full coverage.
The Cricketer will carry match reports from every game.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.