Before the hangover hits, SA20 spills into a World Cup dress rehearsal

The SA20 ended at Newlands on Sunday in a bizarre press conference. Keshav Maharaj, captain of the losing Pretoria Capitals, took three questions alone before the victorious Sunrisers Eastern Cape squad and coach Adrian Birrell arrived—beers in hand—to fill the remaining seats. Instead of journalist-led questioning, commentary banter and tournament press staff dominated the talking, while a staffer kept drinks flowing. As insight into the match, it was futile; as a window into post-triumph relaxation, it was endearing.

On Tuesday, just two days later and 65 kilometres northeast, 21 SA20 players will be in Paarl for the first of three T20Is against West Indies. By Saturday’s third match at the Wanderers, 27 of the 31 players from both squads will have been involved across the SA20, ILT20, or Abu Dhabi T10—87% of the total.

This series, far from random, serves as a direct lead-in to the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India in February and March. West Indies are two-time champions; South Africa, yet to win, reached their first final in 2024. The matches will test both sides’ World Cup readiness and whether international cricket truly outstrips top franchise leagues.

Schedule
January 27: Boland Park, Paarl – 6pm Local Time (4pm GMT, 9:30pm IST)
January 29: Centurion – 6pm Local Time
January 31: Wanderers, Johannesburg – 6pm Local Time

Conditions

• Paarl: Slow pitch, 31°C, no rain.
• Centurion: Swing expected, 29°C, afternoon thunderstorm.
• Johannesburg: Bounce, 30°C, no rain.

South Africa Squad Notes
Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs replace injured Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira. Quinton de Kock, Stubbs, and Marco Jansen rest for Tuesday after the SA20 final; Dewald Brevis, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi are available. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Eathan Bosch added for the first T20I.

Possible South Africa XI
Aiden Markram (c), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka.

West Indies Squad Notes
Only six from their last T20I (vs Afghanistan) are included: Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie. The squad is bolstered by returns from SA20 and ILT20.

Possible West Indies XI
Shai Hope (c), Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hossein.

Quotes
Aiden Markram: “The tough part is chatting to the guys who are missing out. A guy like Tony has been working so hard to get to the World Cup… Those conversations are quite hard. But the inclusions have been part of the squad for years, so they’ll fit straight in.”

Shai Hope: “It’s great prep anytime you’re playing against quality opposition… You can never disregard what that can do to benefit a team.”