Match 5 of the 2025-26 season will see take on at the iconic in Gqeberha on Monday, December 29. Both sides have completed one outing so far in the competition, but their starts could not have been more contrasting. Sunrisers Eastern Cape announced their intent early with a dominant all-round display, while Pretoria Capitals were left searching for answers after a narrow defeat in their opener.
The Eastern Cape unit delivered one of the most commanding performances of the season by dismantling Paarl Royals. Their bowling attack struck relentlessly, while the batting group chased with authority, setting the tone for the campaign. Pretoria Capitals, on the other hand, showed promise during their chase against Joburg Super Kings but lacked finishing power in the decisive moments.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals Match Details
| Match | Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals, Match 5 |
|---|---|
| Date & Time (IST) | Monday, December 29 – 9:00 PM |
| Venue | St George's Park, Gqeberha |
| Broadcast & Streaming | JioStar Network Channels, JioHotstar App & Website |
Pitch Report – St George's Park, Gqeberha
St George’s Park in Gqeberha traditionally offers good pace and carry with the new ball, making batting challenging in the opening overs. Fast bowlers who bowl tight lines and extract bounce are often rewarded early, forcing batters to play cautiously during the powerplay.
As the match progresses, the surface tends to slow slightly. This brings disciplined seam bowling, cutters, and changes of pace into play, while batters need to rely more on placement and strike rotation rather than aggressive stroke-making. Spinners usually have a limited impact at this venue, with most wickets falling to pace bowlers using variations.
A first-innings score of 183 or more is considered a par-plus total at St George’s Park. Given the slowing nature of the pitch and increasing pressure in the second innings, such a target often proves difficult to chase, especially under lights. Teams batting first and crossing the 180-run mark generally hold a clear advantage at this ground.
Weather Report
The weather in Gqeberha is expected to remain clear throughout the evening. Temperatures should hover around 20–22°C, with mild coastal winds. No rain interruptions are forecast, ensuring a full contest under lights.
SEC vs PC Head-to-Head Record (SA20 T20s)
| Matches Played | SEC Wins | PC Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals Probable Playing XIs
Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC)
Jonny Bairstow, Quinton de Kock (wk), Matthew Breetzke, Jordan Hermann, Tristan Stubbs (c), Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Lewis Gregory, Tharindu Rathnayake, Anrich Nortje, Adam Milne
Pretoria Capitals (PC)
Will Smeed, Bryce Parsons, Shai Hope, Daniel Smith (wk), Dewald Brevis, Connor Esterhuizen, Roston Chase, Codi Yusuf, Keshav Maharaj (c), Lungi Ngidi, Tymal Mills
Dream11 Fantasy Team (Safe Combination)
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeepers | Quinton de Kock, Daniel Smith |
| Batsmen | Jonny Bairstow, Jordan Hermann, Shai Hope |
| All-rounders | Marco Jansen, Roston Chase |
| Bowlers | Anrich Nortje, Adam Milne, Lungi Ngidi |
| Captain | Tristan Stubbs |
| Vice-Captain | Marco Jansen |
Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals Match Prediction
Sunrisers Eastern Cape appear more settled and balanced after their emphatic opening performance. Their pace attack suits the Gqeberha conditions perfectly, while the batting unit has shown clarity in approach.
Pretoria Capitals possess match-winners but will need greater cohesion under pressure. Unless they significantly improve their execution in key phases, they could find it difficult to contain the Eastern Cape momentum.
Predicted Winner: Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC)
Disclaimer: Match predictions are based on form, conditions, and team balance. Readers are advised to use their own judgment.
