MI Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals Predictions - Rickleton's runs to sink the Capitals

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 1 minute ago

Share

Simon Lewis 1 minute ago

Share this article

Ryan Rickelton scored an incredible 63-ball 113 in the opener against the Super Giants.
Will Smeed has scored 34 and 35 in the Capitals’ first two matches.
Can defending champs MI Cape Town pick up their first win of the season?

Ryan Rickelton hits out against Australia (Getty Images).

MI Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals Predictions

MI Cape Town lost a tough run chase in their opener before their second match was rained-out. The Capitals had no such luck with the weather, losing their opening two matches by 22 runs and 48 runs. With home ground advantage added into the mix this is screaming a win for MI Cape Town

MI Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals Predictions
Head-to-Head
MI Cape Town Form
Pretoria Capitals Form
MI Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals Team News

MI Cape Town’s Ryan Rickelton hit 11 sixes in his 113 against the Super Giants.
MI Cape Town’s Jason Smith hit three sixes in his 14-all 41 against the Super Giants.
Pretoria Capitals’ Will Smeed had a strike-rate of 139.13 in the SA20 last season.
Pretoria Capitals’ Shai Hope scored 36 off 19 balls against the Sunrisers.

Head-to-Head

MI Cape Town have won three and lost two of their last five SA20 matches against Pretoria Capitals, including the last two matches on the bounce.

MI Cape Town Form

The defending champs have yet to win after two matches in the 2025/26 season, losing their first match after a thrilling run chase and having their second match rained-out.

Rassie van der Dussen has been in great form with the bat, scoring 66, 49 and 94* in his last four innings. Ryan Rickleton averages 46.87 in the SA20 at a strike-rate of 164.23. Reeza Hendricks and Jason Smith made good starts against the Super Giants, and Nicholas Pooran, Dwaine Pretorius and George Linde are all geared up to add power through the middle order.

MI Cape Town have a phenomenal bowling attack despite being manhandled by the Super Giants in their opener. Trent Boult (8.00) was their only bowler to keep the economy rate under 11, but the likes of Dwaine Pretorius, George Linde, Corbin Bosch and Rashid Khan should take their side comfortably into the playoffs.

Pretoria Capitals Form

Pretoria Capitals made it two defeats on the bounce at the start of their season when they lost to the Sunrisers by 48 runs.

Will Smeed has made good starts in both matches, Shai Hope has had a superb season in red- and white-ball cricket and Dewald Brevis is earmarked as the player to watch this season. Bryce Parsons top-scored with 41 in their opening match, in addition to picking up 2/22 against the Super Kings, followed by 1/10 against the Sunrisers.

Tymal Mills has performed well with the ball, taking 2/17 and 2/31 in their first two matches. Lungi Ngidi is a superb T20 bowler but he hasn’t hit his best form yet this season.

MI Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals Team News

Ryan Rickelton expressed mixed emotions after his century in the opener. “Disappointing to be on the wrong side. At some point, you have to make a decision. That Noor over was when I felt we lost momentum. We know why he's bowling and we knew he'll either get or Nicky out. There's no moment to relax in a 230 chase,” said Rickleton.

Capitals skipper Keshav Maharaj admitted his side lacked consistency and control in their loss to the Sunrisers. “Probably 30 runs too much on a wicket that offered something. Have to go back to the drawing board. We still had the belief that if we got 60 in the powerplay, we could pull it off. You want to try and create some sort of consistency. We're still missing Andre Russell, but no excuses. It's a quick turnaround. Just about clearing the mind, and rectifying mistakes sooner rather than later," said Maharaj.

MI Cape Town (possible XI): Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton (w), Reeza Hendricks, Jason Smith, Nicholas Pooran, Dwaine Pretorius, George Linde, Rashid Khan (c), Corbin Bosch, Karim Janat, Trent Boult.

Pretoria Capitals (possible XI): Will Smeed, Bryce Parsons, Shai Hope (w), Daniel Smith, Dewald Brevis, Connor Esterhuizen, Roston Chase, Codi Yusuf, Keshav Maharaj (c), Lungi Ngidi, Tymal Mills.

Verdict

MI Cape Town v Pretoria Capitals

I am backing MI Cape Town to win, with Ryan Rickelton to top score.

Ryan Rickelton

Best MI Cape Town Batter

$4.00 - 2 Units

Deposit R3,000 Get R3,000

100% bonus up to R3,000

Your first deposit at 10bet should be of at least R20. Get 100% up to R3,000 Bonus to bet on sports or games. New customers only. 18+ T&Cs and wagering requirements apply. To activate the bonus, select it from the cashier.

Bet at 10bet

Will Smeed

Best Pretoria Capitals Batter

$4.00 - 1 Unit

100% up to R5,000 + 50 spins

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Register using the code NEWBONUS to claim the best bonus on Tic Tac Sports Betting. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at TicTacBets