'Excited' MI Cape Town hope to start well ahead of SA20 opener at Newlands

The SA20 fever is heating up ahead of the much-anticipated opening clash between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals at Newlands next Tuesday.

The inaugural season sees 33 matches set to run from 11 February, with a week break to fit in the Proteas' three-match ODI series against England.

The SA20 will break barriers in South African cricket as a record prize fund of R70 million will be awarded.

Six co-owned Indian Premier League teams vie for the coveted title: Durban's Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

READ | AB believes SA20 comes at a 'good time for SA cricket'

The MI Cape Town team have assembled at Newlands and has put in the hard yards at pre-season training camps in the Mother City.

MI Cape Town's star-studded player roster includes Proteas pace legend Kagiso Rabada, rising batting prodigy Dewald Brevis, and England T20 stars Jofra Archer, Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone. 

Led by Afghanistan star Rashid Khan, the MI Cape Town also boasts Proteas batters Rassie van der Dussen and in-form Ryan Rickelton with the experience of local fast bowler Beuran Hendricks.

MI Cape Town head coach Simon Katich is pleased with his side's preparation and looks forward to seeing how his team performs for the first time.

"I think one thing that the coaches spoke about is to get the excitement and energy amongst the group. We train with intent and purpose, that's what the scenario is about every day. It's about helping each other prepare for the season ahead," said Katich in a press release.

"It's a great opportunity to start well and then build on today into the next few days. So enjoy the experience and get out there and have fun."

Tuesday's opener gets under way at 17:30 at