32 matches, six teams, six venues, and close to 100 players – South Africa’s premier T20 tournament, Mzansi Super League, is back with the 2nd edition.
Jozi Stars claimed the honours in the inaugural edition of the league after a crushing a victory over Cape Town Blitz in the final. Quinton de Kock adjudged the player of the series for his terrific knocks.
Who were the leading FPs scorers in the last season? How are the teams lined up in Mzansi Super League 2019 edition? Read everything in our team guide.
Cape Town Blitz
The then Farhaan Behardien-led side lost only one match in the inaugural season, and unfortunately, for the Blitz fans, it was the title clash. Cape Town, the most dominant team in the league, eased past their opponents in the group stage.
Top three FPs scorers in 2018 season: Quinton de Kock (762 points from 8 matches), Janneman Malan (527 points from 9 matches) & Dale Steyn (437 points from 9 matches)
Squad: Quinton de Kock (captain), Dale Steyn, Sisanda Magala, Anrich Nortje, Janneman Malan, George Linde, David Bedingham, Vernon Philander, Marques Ackerman, Gregory Mahlokoana, Aviwe Mgijima, Khwezi Gumede.
Overseas players: Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, Moeen Ali (to be replaced by Wahab Riaz after first two games), Wahab Riaz (to join from third match), Liam Livingstone.
Durban Heat
Despite having Hashim Amla, Vernon Philander, David Miller in their ranks, Durban Heat finished bottom last season. They went six games without a win and only registered three wins in the inaugural season.
Top three FPs scorers in 2018 season: Morne van Wyk (421 points from 8 matches), Albie Morkel (409 points from 8 matches) & Keshav Maharaj (408 points from 9 matches)
Squad: Dane Vilas (captain), Andile Phehlukwayo, David Miller, Kyle Abbott, Khaya Zondo, Keshav Maharaj, Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Malusi Siboto, Prenelan Subrayen, Wihan Lubbe, Shaun von Berg, Wesley Marshall, Marco Jansen
Overseas players: Alex Hales, Ravi Bopara
Jozi Stars
The defending champions of MSL T20 were the only team to post three 200-plus totals in the league stage last season. Though batsmen ran the show throughout the season, the bowlers produced the goods in the final.
Top three FPs scorers in 2018 season: Reeza Hendricks (761 points from 11 matches), Rassie van der Dussen (745 points from 11 matches) & Dan Christian (604 points from 11 matches)
Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Rassie van der Dussen, Duanne Olivier, Reeza Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, Aaron Phangiso, Simon Harmer, Ryan Rickelton, Lizaad Williams, Sinethemba Qeshile, Dane Paterson, Nono Pongolo, Eathan Bosch, Delano Potgieter
Overseas players: Dan Christian, Chris Gayle (to be replaced by Shoaib Malik after six matches), Shoaib Malik (to join after six matches)
Nelson Mandela Bay Giants
The team from Port Elizabeth missed out on an eliminator spot by a single point in the 2018 season. They failed to win any of their last four games of the season.
Top three FPs scorers in 2018 season: Jon-Jon Smuts (457 points from 8 matches), Chris Morris (385 points from 7 matches) & Heino Kuhn (304 points from 6 matches)
Squad: Jon-Jon Smuts (captain), Imran Tahir, Chris Morris, Heino Kuhn, Junior Dala, Farhaan Behardien, Beuran Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Onke Nyaku, Dyllan Matthews, Marco Marais, Grant Thomson, Akhona Mnyaka, Nandre Burger
Overseas players: Jason Roy, Ben Dunk
Paarl Rocks
Led by South Africa Test and ODI skipper Faf du Plessis, Paarl Rocks won five games in Mzansi Super League last season, and four of them came while batting second. A third-place finish helped them seal a play-off spot. But the eliminator clash was abandoned, and Jozi qualified to the final by virtue of finishing second in the table.
Top three FPs scorers in 2018 season: Faf du Plessis (624 points from 8 matches), Dwayne Bravo (405 points from 5 matches) & Cameron Delport (332 points from 5 matches)
Squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Dwaine Pretorius, JP Duminy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Hardus Viljoen, Bjorn Fortuin, Cameron Delport, Sibonelo Makhanya, Henry Davids, Mangaliso Mosehle, Ferisco Adams, Kerwin Mungroo, Kyle Verreynne, Thando Ntini
Overseas Players: James Vince, Isuru Udana
Tshwane Spartans
Despite chasing down a 200-plus score in their second game, Tshwane Spartans failed to get going in the league. They only collected 16 points from 10 matches and finished fifth in the table.
Top three FPs scorers in 2018 season: Gihahn Cloete (703 points from 10 matches), AB de Villiers (550 points from 10 matches) & Lutho Sipamla (497 points from 10 matches)
Squad: AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Lungi Ngidi, Theunis de Bruyn, Lutho Sipamla, Tony de Zorzi, Morné Morkel, Heinrich Klaasen, Pite van Biljon, Wiaan Mulder, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Corbin Bosch, Donavon Ferreira
Overseas Players: Waqar Salamkheil, Tom Curran, Roelof van der Merwe
Here is the complete schedule of the Mzansi Super League 2.0