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The countdown to Season 5 has officially begun. And it’s time for the big reveal. As MI Cape Town build up to regain the SA20 crown and repeat the 2025 heroics, here’s the first bit of the squad-building. Skipper Rashid Khan, the core of the homegrown Protea contingent and the pocket dynamo, Nicholas Pooran will continue starring in the #OneFamily, as will a special pre-signed big gun in Will Jacks, who after dazzling in the Blue and Gold around the world, will come over to light up Newlands.Retained players:&nbsp;* Rashid Khan* Corbin Bosch&nbsp;* Dane Piedt* George Linde&nbsp;* Jason Smith&nbsp;* Kagiso Rabada&nbsp;* Nicholas Pooran&nbsp;* Reeza Hendricks&nbsp;* Ryan Rickelton&nbsp;* Thomas Kaber&nbsp;* Tiaan van Vuuren&nbsp;* Tristan Luus&nbsp;Pre-signed player:&nbsp;* Will Jacks&nbsp;Although it is always sad to see players go, we know there’s a chance for them to come back into the MICT setup at the Auction. But, goodbyes are always difficult as we convey a heartfelt thank you to the boys who made the Batch of 2026 a special one..&nbsp;Released players:&nbsp;* Trent Boult&nbsp;*&nbsp;Rassie van der Dussen* Tom Moores* Karim Janat* Jacques Snyman* Dwaine Pretorius* Dan Lategan

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SA20 Season 5: Who's retained? Who's released? Who's pre-signed?

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We already have news to make 2027 brighter. The schedule for the fifth season of the SA20 is here, and we cannot contain our excitement. 34 matches across 36 days, and an opportunity for MI Cape Town to repeat the 2025 glory!&nbsp;Cape Town decked in its Blue and Gold colours, with the Table Mountain in the backdrop reflecting the gold of the setting sun, ahh, can it be January already! Quick, mark your calendars..&nbsp;MI Cape Town Schedule:<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>Match</td><td>Venue</td><td>Time</td></tr><tr><td>Jan 20, 2027</td><td>MICT vs JSK</td><td>Cape Town</td><td>17:30 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Jan 22, 2027</td><td>MICT vs PR</td><td>Cape Town</td><td>17:30 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Jan 24, 2027</td><td>PR vs MICT</td><td>Paarl</td><td>15:30 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Jan 30, 2027</td><td>SEC vs MICT</td><td>Gqeberha</td><td>13:00 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Feb 2, 2027</td><td>MICT vs DSG</td><td>Cape Town</td><td>17:30 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Feb 4, 2027</td><td>MICT vs SEC</td><td>Cape Town</td><td>17:30 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Feb 6, 2027</td><td>DSG vs MICT</td><td>Durban</td><td>13:00 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Feb 10, 2027</td><td>JSK vs MICT</td><td>Jo'burg</td><td>17:30 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Feb 12, 2027</td><td>PC vs MICT</td><td>Centurion</td><td>17:30 SAST</td></tr><tr><td>Feb 14, 2027</td><td>MICT vs PC</td><td>Cape Town</td><td>15:30 SAST</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>The top four teams would then proceed to the playoffs, with the Final once again set to be held at our fortress, our Newlands on February 21, 2026.&nbsp;“Announcing the Betway SA20 fixtures is always a big moment for us, it’s the first major milestone ahead of the new season and it means the wheels are in motion for us as we build towards an incredible month of cricket,” Betway SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said.“The League has become an anticipated fixture on our sporting and cultural calendar and hosting this Final in the same year we welcome the world for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup shows exactly why Cape Town is one of the great cricketing cities. We look forward to giving players, fans and visitors from around the world the warmest welcome when the Final comes to Newlands,” said Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.

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SA20 Season 5  SCHEDULE is here! Mark your calendars, Kaapstad

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It does feel like the end of an era. Rassie van der Dussen, a tall, stylish batter with crisp shots, and more importantly, a proud Protea, has called time on his international career. His ODI average of over 50, is now the second best in South Africa’s history, only behind AB de Villiers. It’s a nice club to be a part of, and a nice legacy to leave behind.&nbsp;He made his international debut in a T20I against Zimbabwe in 2018 before breaking into the ODI side in 2019, where he made an instant impact with a well-compiled 93 on debut against Pakistan. He went on to become a mainstay in the format for South Africa, scoring 2657 runs in 71 matches at an average of 50.13, including six centuries and 17 fifties. In T20Is, he featured in 57 games and scored 1406 runs at a strike rate of 128.76.He also played 18 Tests after debuting in 2019, scoring 905 runs with six half-centuries, three of them in his debut series.&nbsp;"It is with a proud heart and a profound sense of gratitude that I announce my retirement from International Cricket," van der Dussen said in a statement. "To wear the Proteas jersey is a feat that demands a level of resilience and dedication that both tests, and rewards you in the most incredible way. To have played for my country has been the greatest honour of my life. This journey has been paved with years of sacrifice, but the privilege of representing South Africa was worth every moment."“Growing up in a household of four brothers - Adriaan, Nico, CE, and myself - the Proteas badge was always held as something sacred," van der Dussen said. "We lived and breathed the game together, and to be the one to carry our family name onto the international stage was a responsibility I was proud to embrace. I am merely a product of my environment, and of years of camaraderie, love, and pushing for greatness."To my wife, Lara; you have been by my side every single step of the way. You have ridden the waves of incredible highs and difficult lows with empathy, grace and strength, and you have been my biggest cheerleader, whom I could not have done this without."Enoch Nkwe, South Africa's director of national teams and high performance, said van der Dussen's impact went beyond numbers. "Rassie's legacy in the green and gold extends beyond his on-field performances. He was a strong senior voice in the change room who helped drive team culture and standards, always leading by example."Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki added: “Rassie delivered in key moments for the team and earned the respect of his teammates, opponents and fans alike. We thank him for his service to South African cricket and wish him every success in the next phase of his journey.”Thank you Rassie, the Protea Fire indeed burnt brighter because of you! &nbsp;

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Thank you, Rassie, for all the memories in the Protea colours 

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We might be ending this on a disappointed note. This wasn’t the dream.&nbsp;It started with a heartbreak at Newlands against Durban’s Super Giants where Ryan Rickelton played one of the finest knocks this tournament has seen. The reverse fixture at Kingsmead was washed out. After a game to forget against the Pretoria Capitals, another game that we were in control of in the chase against Paarl Royals, was lost off the last ball, by one run. The reverse fixture, again, was a collapse on our part.&nbsp;It was a tough first half. Just the points from the rain-affected loss to show in the points table. But this wasn’t a team to throw in the towel. We fought. We roared. With peak MI Spirit coming to the fore, we came back from behind in a curtailed game against the Joburg Super Kings at home, went away and won by a bigger margin against them. We had found the momentum. Sadly, a defeat against the Capitals derailed our storm.&nbsp;It put us in a territory where we simply had to win the last two games to stand a chance of qualification. We won the first, in a tense run chase against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. It meant we had to win the last game with a bonus point. We tried. Gave it our all. But it wasn’t to be. It wasn’t our day. This wasn’t our year.&nbsp;This Blue and Gold might be down right now, but we know the power it possesses to bounce back from the dead. We are proud of this team. We are proud of the fight they showed. We are proud of the grit they displayed. Until next season…This is MI City. This is MI Team. This is MI Pride. We are MI Cape Town.&nbsp;

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Dankie for everything, Kaapstad

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Amidst a somber mood in the dressing room as MI Cape Town couldn’t make it to the Playoffs following the seven-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Head Coach Robbie Peterson, was at the post-match press conference analyzing the season and looking at some positives for us to take out. Excerpts..&nbsp;On this year’s SA20 campaign&nbsp;We lacked fluidity and consistency throughout the competition, initially with the ball and then with the bat later on. We never managed to get on a roll and piece together. A disappointing season. A lot for us to reflect on, do a little bit of soul searching. After the high of last year, we got humbled this year. We’ve got to take it on the chin and come back next year.&nbsp;On sticking with the core from Season 3I think the temptation is to always go with the same players. You want to reward them and show some faith in them for the way they performed a year ago. We’ve got to go back to the drawing board and reflect and see where we can come back better as a squad. We need to see what we can tinker with. This is the first cycle of an Auction. It happened in the first season where we had to tinker and finally get to the formula. And it looks like we might have to do it again going forward.&nbsp;Thoughts on bowling Reeza Hendricks&nbsp;We saw the pitch was quite slow. We saw Quinny (Quinton de Kock) struggle with off-spin. Reeza was always a part of the plan to bowl at some stage of the competition. We saw last year that he got handy breakthroughs for us. We like to throw it to him a little bit here and there. Reeza bowls for his domestic team. I beg to differ that it cost us the game. Reeza has bowled for a long time for this team.&nbsp;On missing Rashid Khan and Dane Piedt coming into the teamYou’re always going to miss our captain. We lost him two games ago. Dane Piedt has been terrific with his bowling. Yes, we did miss Rash (Rashid) but we gained a capable one in Dane, who showed what he can do when he gets an opportunity.&nbsp;On the positives to take for MICT out of the tournament&nbsp;There are a lot of young players in this squad. They have shown how much they have matured and learnt to prepare for games. There is a lot of exuberance of youth in the background. But yeah, the positives, Ryan Rickelton got runs in the tournament. Reeza ended the tournament exceptionally well. Rassie was also one of the top run-scorers. We just couldn’t get it all tied up together. And once we got onto the back foot, it was very tough to get momentum.&nbsp;On his learnings as a coach&nbsp;A lot of learning. You never know it all as a coach. If you know it all, you probably shouldn’t be coaching. A lot of learnings, a lot of improvements. It’s not like only the players can learn. Even I took a lot of learnings out of this competition certainly. &nbsp;

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“We’ll take it on the chin and come back next year”: Robbie Peterson 

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There was every ounce of fight, of grit, of determination to make it through, but this end wasn’t what we’d visualized. We fall short. The dream ends, but the pride we have in this side stays intact. It was a tough game. It was a tough fight. But Season 4 wasn’t to be. The defence of our crown wasn’t to be..The equation:&nbsp;MI Cape Town, put into bat first, set the Sunrisers Eastern Cape a target of 149. But realistically, since MICT had to win with a bonus point to stay alive, we had to restrict SEC to under 118.&nbsp;Hendricks milks his purple patch&nbsp;It may have taken him a bit of time to find his rhythm in this tournament, but over the last few games, he’s been playing some solid hands in the middle order. Tonight was no different. With the R-R opening combo having one of their rare off days, he formed an R-R of his own with Rassie, dabbling between being the aggressor and the anchor to bat through the innings for an unbeaten 44-ball 70.&nbsp;Linde goes 6, 6, 6George Linde, adding another feather to his recent batting prowess, provided MICT with just the cameo needed. He was on 1 off 6 balls, 4 off 10. When Chris Green came on to bowl the 16th over, he’d recovered a bit to get to 12 off 13. And boom. A hat-trick of sixes, lifting the team’s spirits up on a spin friendly track.&nbsp;A cat and mouse game until the end&nbsp;While SEC lost just one wicket until the 18th over, our bowlers never fell behind in the game. We kept stitching in the dot balls. We kept the scoring in check. We took the game really deep. Alas, it wasn’t to be.&nbsp;We know this hurts. It will take time to heal. The results didn’t go our way. We ran out of luck in a few games. But once the smog clears, what’ll remain is our appreciation for the fight this side has shown all season!“We tried our best. We tried to come together, but it wasn't meant to be. And it's not one that we're going to really try to dig deep and reflect and look for answers now. The tournament is done for us now, but it's all about learning from this and understanding what we need to do to come back next year and be successful,” said Nicholas Pooran.&nbsp;

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SECvMICT report: That would be the end :(

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After executing a calm, collected 18-ball 31 that got MI Cape Town through in a nervy chase against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Geroge Linde was at the post-match press conference breaking down his innings, the bonus point plan and his how he’s worked on his game in general. Excerpts.. &nbsp;Thoughts on the matchIt was obviously a tough match. They’ve got a very good team, an unbelievable bowling attack and didn’t make it easy for us. Lucky we got the win today.&nbsp;On his knock tonightIt is always cool to contribute to the team. I was thinking of the bonus point at that time. It didn’t work out but just glad we did well as a team this time.&nbsp;On Kieron Pollard coming into the teamHe hasn’t been here long. He has had just one training session yesterday. To have someone like him in the dressing room, who has played over 700 T20 games, to learn from him, to see the calmness he brings into the squad, you could see it in the way we played and the way Nicky (Pooran) captained. Obviously Pollard was here before and I’ve got a good relationship with him. It’s cool to have him here.&nbsp;Discussions about going for the bonus pointWe did talk about the bonus point at strategy time. We thought about going for the bonus point but obviously they’ve got good bowlers and if we just went for the bonus point, we could have lost the game and it doesn’t look good. We wanted to put pressure on JSK, if they lose tomorrow, we’ve still got a chance. The most important thing was to win this game today.&nbsp;On the learnings for the team this season&nbsp;This tournament is a quick tournament. There is not a lot of time to relax and think deep about the game where you have to make choices quickly. We’ve learnt a lot of lessons. They way we bowled today, you could see the guys were hungry to succeed for the franchise.&nbsp;On being in South Africa’s World Cup squad&nbsp;It was obviously very special to me. There’s a lot of cricket to be played before we board that plane. But once we board that plane on the way to the World Cup, it will all start sinking in. We have a great squad. It’s a great opportunity to win the World Cup. I’ve got a good feeling about it.&nbsp;On his batting formWith the bat, I thought if you give yourself a little bit of a chance, it makes it easier. I felt calm today for some reason. I knew what I wanted to do. Maybe in the other games, I was a little bit all over the show. I have struggled with the bat in the last two months. I have been working hard on it. This knock will give me a little bit more confidence. I am quite harsh on myself at times. I have definitely learnt a lot in this comp and hopefully the good form continues.&nbsp;His preparation ahead of a game&nbsp;To be fair, there is always pressure in T20 cricket. It is what you make of it. I have played the game for a long time now. I try not to think about it too far ahead. I try and think about it day by day. When I have a day off, I try and play golf and forget about everything. Once I get back to the hotel, I start focussing again.&nbsp;

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“You could see Pollard’s calmness in the way we played today”: George Linde 

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“This franchise is never out of the tournament till the last game,” said Nicholas Pooran after the game.&nbsp;We stay alive. Oh, this was nervy. A low-scoring thriller, sealed by some late cameos. We’ll take these four points. We now need some results to go in our favour, but we have our sights firmly on the fourth spot on the points table. We know the equation, the first box is ticked, now onto Sunday in the reverse fixture to check the second..&nbsp;Polly power on arrivalInstant impact. We know Kieron Pollard does it in an innings, but he’s done it on arrival here in South Africa, impressing with a 44-ball 20 run blitz when the asking rate was getting tricky. And he was taking on the baton from George Linde…..who had just gone 6, 4, 4 to turn the tables&nbsp;MI Cape Town were 81/3 in 13 overs. Reeza Hendricks was playing the anchor’s role. Linde was just warming up. Adam Milne came on to bowl. And boom.13.1: SIX:&nbsp;Smashed over the bowler’s head&nbsp;13.2: FOUR:&nbsp;Backs away and carves it over extra cover&nbsp;13.3: FOUR: Pulled away into mid-wicket&nbsp;And just like that, the pressure was set free. The stage was set for the Polly show.We’ve missed you, Boulty and first ball wicketsFull, swinging away, forcing the batter to drive. Quinton de Kock fell for it, got the outside-edge and the keeper did the rest. The first ball of the innings, and Trent Boult had struck to signal MICT’s intentions in a must-win game.&nbsp;And Bosch’s four-feathered performance&nbsp;He’s been adding feather after feather to his hat over the last year, but tonight, he added four of them, picking wickets at each stage of the game: the powerplay, middle overs, the death, and ensuring the Sunrisers Eastern Cape had no rhythm in their innings, ending up with just 139 in their 20 overs. It was only fit he hit the winning runs as well.&nbsp;“It'll be incredibly&nbsp;special,” said Bosch when asked the team’s chances of making it to the playoffs. We agree. The Cape Town Faithful have been incredible over the last three weeks. Let’s give them some more cheer on Sunday!&nbsp;

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MICTvSEC report: Bosch special, Linde blitz carry us over in tense thriller 

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Three teams have qualified. Three are still in with a chance. One spot, three contenders. The goal is set: One of the results we needed to go our way has, with the Joburg Super Kings losing their game to the Pretoria Capitals. It’s now on us.&nbsp;What MI Cape Town need to qualify:Step 1: Win with a Bonus Point over the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and a margin big enough to go past Durban’s Super Giants’ net run-rate&nbsp;Step 2: Hope that Joburg Super Kings lose their last league gameThe MI family has had a history of getting a foot in the playoffs door when everyone assumed it to have closed. And then slamming the door down to storm towards the trophy. This season promises to be no different. The boys would be super motivated to carry on the good work from the last game against the Sunrisers and put on some entertainment!&nbsp;What: Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs MI Cape TownWhen: January 18, 2026 | 3:30pm local time, 7:00pm IST&nbsp;Where: St. George’s Park, Gqeberha&nbsp;What to expect: A must win game and the peak MI Family Spirit on full display. Lesss goooo..&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Match 10 | SECvMICT preview: Win. Win Big. Win with a Bonus Point. 

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It’s the final leg. There are no second chances now. These are our knockouts. The equation is simple: we win, we stay alive.&nbsp;It’s never about how you start, but always about how you finish. We started poorly. We found some form in the middle. We now need to finish strong. All we need is a foot in the playoffs door, and knowing the MI Spirit&nbsp;of playing and seizing these big moments, you know this could be the start of something special. You really needn’t look beyond the MLC where MI New York looked down and out at one stage in the league, but then came back to blow teams away in the knockout stage and march to the title.&nbsp;The Sunrisers Eastern Cape are up next in back to back games. They have already qualified for the playoffs, are sitting first on the points table, and are the team to beat. Kieron Pollard, coming into the side, surely knows a thing or two about these last-second comebacks!&nbsp;What: MI Cape Town vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape&nbsp; When: January 16, 2026 | 5:30pm local time, 9:00pm IST Where: Newlands, Cape Town What to expect: It’s lovely to be back home after a couple of games on the road. The Newlands Faithful are just the tonic we need going into this must-win clash. With this being our last league game here, let’s give the Kaapstad something special!&nbsp;

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Match 9 | MICTvSEC: SIMPLY MUST WIN EVERYTHING!

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Purple patch/ˈpəːpl ˌpatʃ/IdiomA period of great success, good luck, or high achievementIt’s what Will Jacks has been living in all 2026.&nbsp;Four Player of the Match awards at the T20 World Cup, three fifties in a row at the 100-ball tournament, plucking out screamers by the boundary, it’s like he’s been doing it for fun.&nbsp;Via Mumbai, Abu Dhabi and London, he’s ready to touch down at the Newlands, bring this purple into the MI Cape Town Blue and Gold.&nbsp;“I think Cape Town is such an incredible city. To be joining another MI franchise, making it my fourth one, I’m really excited,” he told MI Cape Town.So who’s he most excited about joining forces with?&nbsp;“I’ve been lucky to play with so many incredible players through the MI franchise and around the world in general. So I’ll choose a player who I haven’t played with yet, and that would be Kagiso Rabada,” he said.&nbsp;It marks another chapter in the long and deep association Jacks has with the #OneFamily. The Kaapstad cannot wait to see him tonk them into those grass banks, or pull off one-handed stunners by the boundary. This time as a HOME player.&nbsp;“I think ever since I joined Mumbai Indians for my first IPL, it was very clear the culture was really important to the franchise and the whole worldwide group. And the word ‘Family’ is used to last.&nbsp;“Newlands is probably one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world. Being at the base of the mountain, as an away player, it’s the game you look forward to on the calendar. And now being a home player, I know I’m going to be very lucky to have opportunities to play there. The crowd has always been good and I think I’m really looking forward to experiencing that as a home player.”To new beginnings, Will! Welcome home! &nbsp;

Will Jacks brings the Purple Patch to the MI Cape Town Blue and Gold

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