Photo Credit: SA20 League
Newly-crowned SA Men’s Player of the Year Anrich Nortje cannot wait to get back to Centurion for Betway SA20 Season 2 in the hope to go one step further next season.
Nortje was one of three pre-signed players unveiled by the Pretoria Capitals last week, which also included New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and the promising Migael Pretorius.
The trio were all instrumental in helping the Capitals to the runners-up position in Season 1, where they fell just short against eventual champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape in a pulsating final at the Wanderers.
Nortje was transformed into a cult figure at his new home at Centurion where spectators turned up to the ground with replicas of his now famed moustache.
It was not just off the field that the Proteas speedster was a hit as his 145 km/h thunderbolts proved too fierce for many a batter as he finished the tournament as the joint leading wicket-taker with 20 scalps at an average of 13.25.
It was therefore no surprise that the Capitals opted for Nortje to lead their attack in Season 2 again.
“I am definitely looking forward to returning to the Pretoria Capitals. It was an unbelievable season. I really enjoyed my time at Centurion,” Nortje said.
“The fans were great, the people were great, the tournament was great. Just excited to have another go.”
Any good fast bowler, though, needs back up in the field and it’s for this reason that Nortje is also looking forward to joining up with Neesham again at Centurion.
The Kiwi pulled off a couple of stunning diving catches in Betway SA20 Season 1, which was a great asset to the Capitals.
“Jimmy was unbelievable in the field, but overall he’s a great all-rounder. In every team you need a proper all-rounder, and he certainly is one of the best,” Nortje said.
Neesham finished Season 1 in the top four batting and bowling averages for the Capitals.
Name of Author: SA20 League
SA20, officially known as the Betway SA20 for sponsorship reasons, is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa organized by Cricket South Africa (CSA). First held in the 2023 season, the league features six city-based teams. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of the tournament.
