SEC vs PC, SA20 2025-26 Qualifier 1, Match Prediction: Who will win today’s game between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Pretoria Capitals?

The road to the SA20 2025-26 final begins today at Kingsmead, Durban, as the two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) face a resurgent Pretoria Capitals (PC). At stake is a direct ticket to the final at Newlands; the loser will have to navigate Qualifier 2 to keep their title hopes alive.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape have been the gold standard of SA20. Topping the table with 28 points, Tristan Stubbs‘ men have combined clinical efficiency with big-game temperament. They enter this clash having dominated the Capitals in both league meetings this season, including a brutal 10-wicket win in early January.

Pretoria Capitals, led by Keshav Maharaj, finished second with 24 points after a late-season surge. They arrive in Durban with four wins in their last five games, finally finding the balance that eluded them early on. While they lost both league games to the Sunrisers, the Capitals’ bowling attack has recently been the most disciplined in the tournament, defending two of the lowest totals this season.

SEC vs PC, SA20 2025-26 Qualifier 1: Match details

• Date and Time: January 21 (Wednesday); 9:00 pm IST / 03:30 pm GMT / 5:30 pm Local
• Venue: Kingsmead, Durban

SEC vs PC, Head-to-Head Record in SA20 2025-26:

Matches played: 9 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape won: 5 | Pretoria Capitals won: 4 | No result/Tied: 0

Kingsmead Pitch Report

The pitch at Kingsmead, Durban, for this Qualifier 1 is expected to be a quintessential sporting track with a noticeable shift in behaviour for the 2025-26 season. Historically a green mamba favouring seamers with its sharp bounce and coastal swing, the surface in 2026 has become significantly more batter-friendly, with the average first-innings score surging to approximately 195. However, the high humidity and evening lights will likely provide early assistance to pacers. While big scores are achievable, the tide effect remains a factor, often aiding late-innings movement.

Squads

Pretoria Capitals: Will Smeed, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Shai Hope, Dewald Brevis, Roston Chase, Andre Russell, Bryce Parsons, Codi Yusuf, Gideon Peters, Keshav Maharaj (c), Lungi Ngidi, Tymal Mills, Lizaad Williams, Sibonelo Makhanya, Wihan Lubbe, Keith Dudgeon, Junaid Dawood, Sherfane Rutherford, Jordan Cox, Daniel Smith, Meeka eel Prince

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Jonny Bairstow, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tristan Stubbs (c), Lewis Gregory, Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen, Patrick Kruger, Senuran Muthusamy, Adam Milne, Anrich Nortje, Chris Wood, Allah Ghazanfar, JP King, Christopher King, Jordan Hermann, Mitchell Van Buuren, Tharindu Rathnayake, James Coles, Beyers Swanepoel, Lutho Sipamla

Also WATCH: Ottneil Baartman hat-trick seals Paarl Royals’ spot in SA20 2026 Playoffs

SEC vs PC, SA20 2025-26 Qualifier 1: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Sunrisers Eastern Cape wins the toss and bowls first
• Pretoria Capitals’ powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Pretoria Capitals’ total score: 155-165

Case 2:

• Pretoria Capitals wins the toss and bowls first
• Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s total score: 170-180

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also READ: Sunrisers Eastern Cape skittle Paarl Royals for SA20’s lowest-ever total in one-sided win