MI Cape Town host the Paarl Royals at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on Sunday, 4 January 2026, with the match scheduled to start at 17:30 local time.
This is Match 13 of the SA20 League, and it is shaping as a “must win” fixture for MI Cape Town, who are still searching for their first win of the season, while the Royals arrive with confidence after back-to-back victories.
Outright Betting Update – Click Here to Bet
There has been a notable shift in the outright market as results come in. Joburg Super Kings are now outright favourites at 3.65, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape next at 4.50. Durban’s Super Giants and the Paarl Royals are both priced at 5.50, reflecting their ability to compete with the strongest sides.
Defending champions MI Cape Town have drifted to 6.50 after a winless start, while the Pretoria Capitals sit at 7.75.
Match 13 Preview
MI Cape Town’s season has not gone to plan so far. After losing the tournament opener to Durban’s Super Giants and having one match washed out, they have now suffered three defeats in four matches. Their latest setback came in Paarl in Match 10, where they fell just short in a tight chase, losing by one run after the Royals posted 181/3.
That match did at least show signs of improvement. Rassie van der Dussen struck 59 off 42, and the chase stayed alive deep into the final over, but MI Cape Town have struggled for consistency, both in execution at the death and in building pressure with the ball.
Paarl Royals, meanwhile, are firmly back on track after a difficult opening loss to Sunrisers Eastern Cape. They have won their last two matches, including the dramatic one-run victory over MI Cape Town in Match 10. The star of that contest was young opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who played a superb innings of 98 off 65 balls* which left me with some egg on my face having gone unders on his runs.
The Royals also showed composure under pressure with the ball in the closing stages, with Ottniel Baartman finishing with 4/51.
Newlands can be a good batting surface with 200 runs breached in both 1st innings this season, but it also rewards disciplined bowling and smart match-ups, which sets up another close contest between two sides who know each other well already.
Match Odds – Click Here to Bet
- MI Cape Town: 1.63
- Paarl Royals: 2.35
The market still rates MI Cape Town as clear favourites at home, but given their current form and the fact that Paarl have already beaten them twice this season, the Royals look competitive at the price.
Suggested Bets
Bet: Paarl Royals to Win @ 2.35
MI Cape Town have too much quality to keep losing, but until they show they can close out tight games and settle their combinations, the value sits with the in-form Royals at odds against.
Bet: Top Paarl Royals Bowler – Ottniel Baartman @4.25
Baartman bounced back well from an expensive start on Friday and his nagging line and length always gives him lively chances of getting amongst the wickets and it should be no different at Newlands.
Bet: Top MI Cape Town Bowler – Rashid Khan @3.75
If MI Cape Town are to regain control in this matchup, Rashid is the obvious wicket-taking threat through the middle overs and remains their best option to slow scoring and force mistakes.
Prices correct at the time of writing and subject to change.
