Joburg Super Kings v Paarl Royals – Preview

On Wednesday 24 January, Joburg Super Kings will collide with Paarl Royals at Wanderers Stadium as both teams are willing to keep the momentum going. After Super Kings got the first win of the campaign over Pretoria Capitals, they will be arriving in today’s match motivated to continue where they left off. But it won’t be a walkover the park as the Royals have been a team to beat this season. So, fans shall witness a good cricket match.

Finally, Super Kings managed to get rolling and registered the first win in the current campaign. Last year’s semi-finalists have been battling in terms of getting the results. It has got people wondering what has gone wrong inside the camp. But on Saturday versus the Capitals, they were outstanding in all departments. After winning the toss, the Capitals decided to bat first. It was quite a good decision considering it is a good batting surface. Kyle Verreynne threatened the bowlers with the ball scoring 72 to take his side to a wonderful 167 total. Liaad Williams was the pick of the bowlers on the day taking three scalps and conceding 26 runs. Meanwhile, Romario Shepherd and Nandre Burger shared a total of 5 wickets too.

Then it was up to the batsmen to do a dirty job to take Super Kings home. They didn’t disappoint as Donovan Ferreira snapped his half-century and Sibonelo Makhaya played an assistant role with the Johannesburg side closing the match with the over to spare. Their fans will be hoping that victory will bring a change of fortunes. Today’s match to them is crucial as it can take them inside the top four teams for the first time this season. So, it would mean they are well inside the semi-final spot. Despite things not moving in the right direction, the presence of Williams has grabbed people’s attention. The lanky bowler has collected nine wickets, one short of leading man Lungi Ngidi. So, all their hopes will be on him to continue to star with the ball as he has done.

Meanwhile, the Royals are cruising nicely and are on the verge of sealing the semi-final spot early. Four wins and one loss in five matches indicate the team with big intentions. They are making their presence felt this time around. In the last match, the Royals recorded a convincing 59-run win over MI Cape Town. It was Englishman Jason Roy, who was astonishing with the bat, pumping quickfire 68 runs. Then his countryman Jos Buttler played a composed half-century. Then Imad Fortuin did the damage with the ball taking three wickets. So fully rested, the Royals will want to settle for a win here.

The history is on them as the last clash between the two, they managed to prevail top on the day. Super Kings were bundled out for 134 before Buttler snatched 70 to make a meal of the chase. So, with Lungi Ngidi in great shape and delivering, the Royals have been growing strong as the season progresses. It no doubt are now favorites to clinch the title even though we have gone just halfway through matches.

What To Expect

High-scoring pitch favoring batsmen throughout the day. A score above 180 will be a good total to defend it. So, expect both teams to capitalize on conditions.

Prediction

Best Bet: Paarl Royal to win at 1.74

Value Bet: Lungi Ngidi to be the top bowler for the away team at 3.50

Sean Parker

Sean Parker is a motorsport journalist and sports content creator at The South African. He has worked for the country's premier motoring publications, and is a Formula 1 contributor to Bet.co.za, the Bet Central podcast, and Vision View Sports radio.