The tournament opener winners clash with the Durban Heat at Kingsmead, as the Mzansi Super League continues to gain traction.

Cape Town Blitz

The Newlands franchise was pretty convincing in Friday’s victory over the Tshwane Spartans – and will look to continue to set themselves apart from the rest. They will have Dale Steyn in the ranks, but face a tough selection poser as to who he will replace. Spinner George Linde might make way, unless they drop a seamer, in which case Malusi Siboto seems the like omission.

For Kyle Verreynne, it’s another chance to prove himself as the form wicketkeeper-batsman before Quinton de Kock assumes the mantle after returning from the Proteas’ tour of Australia. Mohammad Nawaz was superb in adapting to challenging conditions at Newlands – and the Pakistani all-rounder will need to do the same at Kingsmead, too.

Durban Heat

Opportunity knocks for the Heat to put one over the tournament favourites early – and set a precedent for their next few matches. Captained by Albie Morkel and ‘marqueed’ by Hashim Amla, they also sport a distinctive Kolpak feel in Kyle Abbott and Marchant de Lange.

The fixture will bring a couple of internal rivalries, with Cobras stars Vernon Philander and Tladi Bokako up against a few of their domestic team-mates, but as the opposition. It’ll be tough to fit Abbott, Bokako and Philander in the same XI, but perhaps the Durban team will find a way at the expense of a spinner.

Prediction

The Blitz were really impressive on Friday and, two days later, will likely continue to shine, even if a lot of them are away from the familiarity of home conditions. The selection of Steyn will certainly be a massive boost.

Where to next

The Heat will face the Spartans at Kingsmead, while the Blitz will return for a clash against the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants. Both matches will take place on Wednesday.