Last Updated on 3 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Qualifier 1 of SA20 2025/26 will be played between Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) and Pretoria Capitals (PC) on 21st January 2026 at 9 PM IST. Kingsmead, Durban, will host this encounter. 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape finished at the top of the table with five wins in 10 games. They defeated the Pretoria Capitals twice (48 runs and 10 wickets) in the league stage of the tournament. The likes of Quinton de Kock, Jonny Bairstow, and Jordan Hermann have done well with the bat, with James Coles also chipping in during the last few games. 

Anrich Nortje, Adam Milne, and Marco Jansen have been in good form, while Coles and Senuran Muthusamy have also bowled well. Matthew Breetzke (66 runs) came back to form at the best time for his side. Chris Green also played in the last match, and he too adds a lot of depth to the Sunrisers squad with both bat and ball. 

Pretoria Capitals also won five games out of 10 during the league stage. They’ve played as a team till now, but they’re still far from their best as a side. Sherfane Rutherford, with some assistance from Dewald Brevis, has almost single-handedly carried their batting throughout the league stage. They’ll need consistency from the likes of Shai Hope, Andre Russell, and Roston Chase with the bat.

It’ll be fair to say that the Capitals have punched above their weight in terms of bowling. Gideon Peters has emerged as their best bowler, while Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams, and Lungi Ngidi have also bowled well. The Capitals will be eager to win this game and settle the score against the Sunrisers to reach the final of the tournament.

SA20 2025/26 Qualifier 1: SEC vs PC Probable Playing XIs

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Jonny Bairstow, 3. Matthew Breetzke, 4. Jordan Hermann, 5. James Coles, 6. Tristan Stubbs (c), 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Chris Green, 9. Senuran Muthusamy, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Adam Milne

Pretoria Capitals: 1. Shai Hope (wk), 2. Bryce Parsons, 3. Connor Esterhuizen, 4. Dewald Brevis, 5. Roston Chase, 6. Sherfane Rutherford, 7. Andre Russell, 8. Lizaad Williams, 9. Keshav Maharaj (c), 10. Gideon Peters, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Kingsmead Durban Pitch Report and Weather

Kingsmead is one of the best batting venues in SA20. The pitch here allows the batters to play their shots. But there is some assistance for the bowlers as well, especially the spinners. Pretoria scored 201 runs in the last game played at this venue.  Teams batting first have won 52% of the T20s played here in the last five years. 

Teams may prefer chasing in this game, but don’t be surprised if they opt to bat first, considering this is a high-pressure encounter. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy, but we should get a full game without any rain interruption.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for SEC vs PC: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:  

• Quinton de Kock (328 runs) is the third-highest run scorer of SA20 2025/26 at an average of 46.85, and he’s striking at 149.09, including four fifties to his name. He’s been in terrific touch this season, and the onus will be on his shoulders to get his side off to a flying start. De Kock will be a top C/VC choice.
• Shai Hope has 264 runs in nine innings, 118 of which came in only one game. He’s made starts but the team needs more consistency from him at the top. Hope, like we saw earlier this season, can score big when he gets going. He’ll be another top pick.

Key batter picks: 

• Dewald Brevis has 194 runs in nine innings but he’s played well when the side has needed him the most. He’s yet to perform upto his standards and will be itching to go big in this game. Try him as C/VC in some of your teams.
• Sherfane Rutherford is currently the third-highest run-scorer of this season with 317 runs to his name at an average of 79.25 at a strike rate of 166.84, including two fifties. He has saved his side after a top-order collapse on numerous occasions this season. Rutherford is someone you can’t miss out on for this match.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Marco Jansen picked up one wicket in the last game. He can win games single-handedly, which we saw in the second-to-last game against MI (42 runs and 2 wickets). Jansen can trouble Pretoria’s top order, and he will be a top C/VC option.
• Andre Russell has been far from his best, but he’s an experienced campaigner and will contribute with both bat and ball. Try him as captain in a few teams. 
• James Coles has been exceptional for the Sunrisers. He’s scoring runs in the middle order and is picking up wickets as well. He has four wickets and 89 runs (average 44.50, strike rate 145.90). Coles will be another great C/VC choice. 
• Chris Green played in the last game for the Sunrisers. He picked up three wickets. Green is a utility player who can contribute with the bat, ball, and in the field. He’s someone you can back for this game.

Key bowler picks: 

• Anrich Nortje is the second-highest wicket-taker this season with 14 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 7.05 and a strike rate of 12.02. Nortje has picked up wickets in every game. Plus, he’ll bowl the key overs for Sunrisers.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Team 

• Lungi Ngidi
• Lizaad Williams
• Jonny Bairstow
• Keshav Maharaj

Other Matchups and Facts 

• Head to Head: Pretoria Capitals 4 – Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
• Sunrisers have won the last three games played between these two sides.
• Jordan Hermann vs Keshav Maharaj (T20s): 37 balls, 37 runs, and 4 dismissals.
• Dewald Brevis vs Marco Jansen (T20s): 37 deliveries, 38 runs, and 3 dismissals. 
• Dewald Brevis vs Anrich Nortje (T20s): 26 deliveries, 20 runs, and 3 dismissals.

SA20 2025/26 Qualifier 1: SEC vs PC Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

SA20 2025/26 Qualifier 1: SEC vs PC Match Prediction: Who will win?

Both teams have been in great form in the league stage of the tournament but the Sunrisers are looking much more balanced with good depth and quality in their squad. Chris Green’s addition has bolstered their strength. Pretoria will have to be at their best as a side if they are to defeat them. 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape to win.

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All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.