MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE 2.0 FUN, FAST FOR ALL YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE By Cricket Fanatics Magazine 01 N O I T I D E ALL THE SQUADS, KEY PLAYERS AND SO MUCH MORE, JAM- T S R PACKED INTO A BINGE-WORTHY PACKAGE JUST FOR YOU. I F Mzansi Super League 2.0 Summary After an enthralling opening season of South Africa’s very own T20 competition, it is time for the 2nd edition. Going by the tagline “Fast, Fun, For All”, the tournament proved to be entertaining last season with every franchise putting in substantial effort to promote their franchise. One of the major positives of this tournament is the promotion of South Africa’s young talent. Every side needed to sign at least one Rookie (a player 21 or younger. This gives these young cricketers the opportunity to learn from some of the biggest names in the game today. It also allows fringe players to have an opportunity to showcase their talent and make that drive for national honours. This guide will fill provide you with the squads, some of the young Players to Watch in the new campaign and highlight the importance of lifting the trophy for each team in the competition. Last Season's Standings Jozi Stars The Jozi stars are the defending champions. Last season, they were led by current interim Proteas coach Enoch Nkwe, and boasted star international names like Chris Gayle and Daniel Christian. Let's not forget that their star Proteas Marquee player was and still is Kagiso Rabada. Their campaign last season was also pivotal in the rise of a new Proteas fan favourite Rassie van der Dussen as well as young batting sensation Ryan Rickelton. They kick of the Mzansi Super League 2.0 with a repeat of the 2018 final, against the Cape Town Blitz in Johannesburg on 8 November. This is their their squad for the coming season: Kagiso Rabada (South African Marquee) Chris Gayle (International Marquee) Rassie van der Dussen – retained (Round 1) Reeza Hendricks – retained (Round 2) Dan Christian – retained (Round 3) Temba Bavuma (Round 4) Duanne Olivier – retained (Round 5) Simon Harmer (Round 6) Ryan Rickleton (Round 7) Aaron Phangiso (Round 8) Lizaad Williams (Round 9) Sinethemba Qeshile – retained (Round 10) Nono Pongolo (Round 11) Eathan Bosch (Round 12) Delano Potgieter (Round 13) Dane Paterson – (Wild Card) “NEVER TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GRANTED” Get to know Jozi Stars' talented all-rounder Delano Potgieter a little better in this exclusive feature. The 22-year-old has made plenty of noise during pre-season. His performances, particularly for the University Sports South Africa XI, were impressive, where he showed consistency with both the bat and ball. In an exclusive interview with Cricket Fanatics Magazine, Potgieter explained how the experience has grown him as a player. “It most certainly taught me that every game is an opportunity that comes your way," he said. “It also showed me that you need to take every opportunity and give it your best shot. Never take an opportunity for granted as it might not come your way again. ”He definitely took his opportunity for USSA XI. He stood out, particularly, when his teammates struggled the most. He scored 124 not out and took 3-56 in a narrow defeat to Sri Lanka Emerging, helped his side seal a win against SA Emerging by scoring 70 and taking 1-30, and scored an unbeaten 97 not out in a second defeat to SL Emerging. Potgieter’s recent rise has been inspiring. There has been an assumption that South Africa has struggled to produce quality all-rounders, and he has now thrown his name into the discussion amongst many other young and up-and-coming all- round players. Even more so with his selection for the Jozi Stars in the Mzansi Super League 2.0. The Proteas’ disappointing World Cup campaign means that a rebuild needs to happen and selectors will be keeping an eye out for South Africa’s next generation to put up their hands. But national selection isn’t on the youngster’s mind right now. “My goal for the new season is to become a permanent player at the Highveld Lions and to maintain consistency when it comes to my performance with bat and ball,” Potgieter said. “I put hard work into both batting and bowling. To be an all-rounder you have to give batting and bowling equal time in training. “My motivation and drive is to accomplish my teenage dream of playing cricket on higher levels and representing teams on big stages, and by doing so making those closest to me proud." His claim-to-fame was when he scored a career- best 145 in a 331-run seven-wicket stand with Paarl Rocks' Bjorn Fortuin (183) to help the Lions to 440 in their first innings against the Warriors in the final game of the season. Potgieter also took 4-81 in the match. His all-round display was critical in the Lions winning the clash by 83 runs, which was the title decider that crowned them 4-Day Franchise Series champions. The Hoërskool Marais Viljoen pupil also gave a shout out to the coach who has been an inspiration to him all his life. “The coach that has been the most inspirational to me is Neil Levenson. He has been my coach throughout High School and still today he knows exactly how to get the best out of me. "He understands the brand of cricket that I play and wish to continue playing.” Potgieter now has the chance in the Mzansi Super League to prove himself on the biggest stage in South African cricket against some of the best players in the World. "To be associated with the Jozi Stars is an unbelievable experience, being in the same changing room and to call them teammates is just out of this world," said Potgieter. "I am most excited about the things I can learn from the Jozi Stars environment so that I can bring it into my own game to become the best version of me." Potgieter has played 17 T20 games at an average of 35.78 and a strike rate of 138.01. He also has 17 wickets at an economy rate of 6.32. Cape Town Blitz The team from the Cape were runners up in the competition losing to Jozi Stars in the final at Newlands, but finished the tournament at the top of the log. This was probably their biggest disappointment – securing a home final, topping the standings, but not lifting the trophy. The Blitz’ last season saw the likes of Janneman Malan, Anrich Nortje and George Linde breakthrough as up and coming stars, with all of them keeping their place in the squad. Quinton de Kock and the Pakistan internationals Asif Ali have been retained and will aim to reprise their role as stars of the side this season. England international Moeen Ali will also aim to have a short but effective impact with his late inclusion for the opening two games. Their main attribute is their lethal seam bowling combo of Nortje, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Sisanda Magala. This is their their squad for the coming season: Quinton de Kock (South African Marquee) Wahab Riaz (International Marquee) Liam Livingstone (Round 1) Dale Steyn – retained (Round 2) Sisanda Magala (Round 3) Anrich Nortje – retained (Round 4) Asif Ali – retained (Round 5) Mohammad Nawaz (Round 6) Janneman Malan – retained (Round 7) George Linde (Round 8) David Bedingham (Round 9) Vernon Philander (Round 10) Marques Ackerman (Round 11) Gregory Mahlokoana (Round 12) Aviwe Mgijima (Round 13) Khwezi Gumede – (Wild Card) GEORGE LINDE TALKS MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE AND GIVES TIPS TO YOUNGSTERS George Linde is delighted to be retained by the Cape Town Blitz for the second edition of the Mzansi Super League. He had a busy couple of weeks leading up to the tournament – From being selected for South Africa A’s tour to India, being retained by the Cape Town Blitz, to earning a T20 call-up for the Proteas and making his Test debut. He expressed how he feels about being retained by his hometown team for Mzansi Super League 2.0 “I’m very delighted to get picked up again, it’s another opportunity to showcase my talent to the world,” he said exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine. The Jozi Stars, champions of last year’s MSL, made a move to snatch up Linde, but the Blitz panel wasted no time to secure their player by activating their right to match. “Home is home, so I’m happy to stay at home, I’m happy to be with the Blitz again," he added. It’s a great team and it looks like a great squad, so hopefully we can do well as a team again. “My goal is to play and try and do well for the team and also if I don’t play, just try and train as hard as possible and learn from all the other guys; learning from basically the best in the world. "It’s a great team and it looks like a great squad, so hopefully we can do well as a team again. “My goal is to play and try and do well for the team and also if I don’t play, just try and train as hard as possible and learn from all the other guys; learning from basically the best in the world. There has been a birth of spinning all-rounders in the country, a position that has grown in importance for many coaches all around the world.