Playing for a greater cause than oneself. Caring for your team member. Honest and open communication. Never being bigger than a game.
And all of this being driven by a salt-of-the-earth individual from the Eastern Cape.
Sound familiar?
It certainly rings true, like the Springboks’ mantra that has seen Rassie Erasmus’ team win consecutive Rugby World Cup titles.
It’s no surprise then that the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who boast a similar team value system, have won back-to-back Betway SA20 titles and are gunning for a three-peat when they kick-start the third edition of South Africa’s premier T20 competition at what is expected to be a heaving St George’s Park tonight (5.30pm start) against MI Cape Town.
FEEL IT, IT’S HERE! @SA20_League Season 3 is about to kickoff! 🔥🙏 @IOLsport @IOL pic.twitter.com/oqRu1rznEP
— Zaahier Adams (@ZaahierAdams) January 8, 2025
“It’s nice to be used in the same sentence as the Bokke, but I don’t think we're quite there yet – but really pumped to go for a third one this season,” SEC captain Aiden Markram said yesterday.
“Obviously there are no guarantees. It’s a hugely competitive tournament. Hopefully in a month’s time there is something cool that can happen, but looking forward to the cricket we can play.”
Much like the Boks, the Sunrisers’ have exceptional game-breakers like Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Ottniel Baartman and of course Markram.
Watching Aiden playing such classic shots will always be our favourite hobby 🧡 pic.twitter.com/60XQmNUkV2
— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) January 8, 2025
But it is head coach Adrian Birrell’s mentorship that has often pulled them through tough situations in the past.
“He (Birrell) is just a great man, gets the boys together, and keeps things really simple,” Markram said of the veteran mentor Birrell.
“We try to create a month where the boys really enjoy themselves. Compete like hell on the field, give your all on the park, but also make time to enjoy yourself off the field.
“Balancing those two has been important for us, keeping guys wanting to be part of the franchise because they enjoy the month they have with us in Gqeberha.
“It’s been great the first two years, and Adi Birrell is a gem of a person as well.”
Markram, Jansen and Stubbs are fresh off an intense schedule with the Proteas, where they played integral roles in helping the national red-ball team qualify for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s later this year.
Can’t keep calm cause MJ is here 🧡 pic.twitter.com/5YIGcixcxM
— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) January 8, 2025
This may see them take a little while to get into the stride of white-ball cricket again, though, which could leave English trio Zak Crawley, Tom Abell and Craig Overton to shoulder some of the early responsibilities.
Markram, though, does not expect the Test regulars to ease into the competition.
“I think it’s such different formats, and the energy around the Test summer was great for us. But going into the SA20, I’m sure the energy will be fine. It’s completely different to what the Test summer was like,” he said.
Latest visuals of the 𝐙𝐚𝐤 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 🤯 pic.twitter.com/i3YLyVXo3O
— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) January 8, 2025
“It feels like a breath of fresh air. Not that it’s new, but it’s completely different. We’ve been busy, but we are very pumped to get going.”
MI Cape Town, meanwhile, will need to offset the loss of their superstar English all-rounder Ben Stokes very quickly if they are to start Season 3 on a positive footing.
It is certainly required after two hugely disappointing opening gambits, which has left MI Cape Town as the only SA20 team yet to reach the playoffs at least once.
Robin Peterson’s squad will, though, once again be loaded with top-class talent such as new recruit Trent Boult bolstering the seam-bowling department, while Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan also returns to lead the side again after missing last year through injury.
Check who's the winner of this game 😁 😉#MICapeTown #OneFamily pic.twitter.com/OwUenEzTem
Rashid is hoping the lessons learnt from Season 1, which was his maiden T20 franchise captaincy stint, will stand him in good stead for the upcoming season.
“It was a really tough first year, especially for me coming here as a spinner. To perform is always very hard, and these are the challenges that I’ve got ahead,” Rashid said.
O 𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧, MI 𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 🎵💙#MICapeTown #OneFamily #RashidKhan pic.twitter.com/kLFcuHpN0f
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) January 8, 2025
“We’ve been practising well. I think we’ve got some great new faces, and to see how they have performed for their respective teams so well.
“I am so excited that we deliver the best for the team in SA20. Everyone is pumped up to deliver for MI Cape Town.”
MI Cape Town will be hoping to call on the services of the in-form Ryan Rickelton, who was last season’s top run-scorer in the competition and is fresh off a career-best 259 in the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands.
We're 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐞 as happy to have you back Ryan 😁💙#MICapeTown #OneFamily pic.twitter.com/9fofQH0Or4
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) January 8, 2025
Rickelton, however, picked up a mild hamstring strain while fielding in Cape Town, and was forced to sit out the entire fourth day, which ironically saw SEC’s David Bedingham assume his opening berth.
MI, though, have a ready-made replacement in Proteas opener Reeza Hendricks, who was biggest buy at the SA20 auction, to partner fellow Lions teammate Rassie van der Dussen at the top of the order.
The experienced right-hander will be eager to make an early positive impression for his new team. | Independent Media Sport
Squads For St George’s Park
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Aiden Markram (captain), Zak Crawley (England), Jordan Hermann, Tom Abell (England), Liam Dawson (England), Marco Jansen, Patrick Kruger, Craig Overton (England), David Bedingham, Daniel Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Okuhle Cele, Simon Harmer, Ottneil Baartman, Richard Gleeson (England), Caleb Seleka, Andile Simelane, Beyers Swanepoel, Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands).
MI Cape Town: Chris Benjamin (England), Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Connor Esterhuizen, Delano Potgieter, Reeza Hendricks, Colin Ingram, Tristan Luus, Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Rashid Khan (captain, Afghanistan), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult (New Zealand), Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka), Dane Piedt.