Paarl Royals Team SA20 2024-25 (Source: @DineshKarthik/X)
The Paarl Royals have qualified for the playoffs in all three editions of the SA20 league. They finished 4th in the inaugural edition, 3rd in 2024, and 2nd in the last edition of the tournament.
They lost in the semi-final in 2023, in the Eliminator in 2024, and in the second qualifier in the last edition of the tournament. So far, they’ve played well in the league stages but have failed to do well in the qualifiers.
Ahead of the upcoming edition of the SA20 league, we’ll talk about how the Paarl Royals fare and their strengths, weaknesses, and other things.
Paarl Royals squad for SA20 2025-26
David Miller, Gudakesh Motie, Ottniel Baartman, Nqaba Peter, Okuhle Cele, Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Vishen Halambage, Sikandar Raza, Rubin Hermann, Thomas Rew, Dan Lawrence, Asa Tribe, Keegan Lion-Cachet, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Eshan Malinga, Kyle Verreynne, Nqobani Mokonena, Hardus Viljoen
Paarl Royals Strength for SA20 2025-26
1. The spin web at Home
Paarl Royals are known for choking the opposition teams with their quality spinners at their home in Boland Park. They bowled 20 overs of spin in the last edition in one game.
This year also they’ve got a quality spin attack in Mujeeb ur Rahman, Bjorn Fortuin, Gudakesh Motie, Vishen Halambage, and Sikandar Raza. Nqaba Peter and even Dan Lawrence can bowl off-spin.
Mujeeb ur Rahman and Bjorn Fortuin (Source: @PaarlRoyals/X)
This bowling attack suits their home venue perfectly, and Paarl will look to exploit the home advantage and win 4 or 5 games at home this season. Don’t be surprised if they opt to bowl 20 overs of spin more than once in SA20 2025-26.
2. Experienced middle order
Paarl have the likes of David Miller, Sikandar Raza, and Dan Lawrence in their middle order to follow the young openers (Lhuan-Dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann). This experience in the middle order will be the backbone of Paarl’s batting.
All three players are vastly experienced and know how to win a game from tough situations. This will allow their top order to bat freely. Apart from these three, they have Delano Potgieter, who’s also a capable hitter, and even Gudakesh Motie can tonk the ball on his day.
Weaknesses of Paarl Royals in SA20 2025-26
1. Batting depth
Paarl Royals lack batting depth for SA20 2025-26. Apart from the openers and then Miller, Lawrence, Raza, and Potgieter, their batting looks thin on paper. This can be an issue for them when they lose a couple of early wickets.
Young Thomas Rew and Asa Tribe are there, but they are also inexperienced and may take a bit of time to get going. The experienced middle order will have to take responsibility throughout the season with the bat, and if they can’t do that consistently, then it’ll be curtains for the Royals.
2. Unconvincing pace attack
While the pace attack of Ottniel Baartman, Hardus Viljoen, and Delano Potgeiter may work at their home ground, they may face issues in containing teams on pitches with good pace and bounce.
Their over-reliance on their spin attack can backfire for them, as not every venue will aid the spinners.
Opportunities
1. Great opportunity for youngsters
Paarl has the likes of Thomas Rew, Asa Tribe, Vishen Halambage, and a few other young players with them. Most of these players will get good game time in the upcoming edition, and it’s a great chance for them to announce themselves to the world.
2. Exploit home advantage
Paarl exploited their home advantage to the fullest in the last edition of the tournament. They unleashed their spinners and choked the opposition batters, who struggled to get going on a slow and dry wicket.
This year too, they have this opportunity to do the same, and it’s pretty obvious that they’re going to try and contain teams with their spinners.
Threats
1. Lack of good backups
While the Paarl Royals have a very strong spin attack and a manageable pace unit, they don’t have proper backups for their players, especially batters like Miller, Raza, Lawrence, etc.
This can haunt them towards the later stages of the tournament in case someone is unavailable or gets injured.
Paarl Royals probable XI for SA20 2025-26
Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann (wk), Dan Lawrence, David Miller (c), Sikandar Raza, Delano Potgieter, Gudakesh Motie, Hardus Viljoen, Bjorn Fortuin, Ottniel Baartman, Mujeeb ur Rahman
The Paarl Royals will follow their tried and tested formula of ‘Spin it to win it,’ but it’ll mainly work on their home venue. They’ll have to be at their best as a side to excel at other venues (away games). Overall, their bowling looks good, but the batting depends on a handful of players.
Expected Finish: Paarl Royals may miss out on the playoffs.
