'Form is temporary' as Rossouw comes good with decisive semi-final contribution

Pretoria Capitals batter Rilee Rossouw admitted the well-worn cricket truism of 'form being temporary and class being permanent' is a cliché, but one that's applicable to him.

In the lead-up to Wednesday's first SA20 semi-final between the Capitals and the Paarl Royals, a game the former won by 29 runs to qualify for Saturday's final, Rossouw had only scored 127 runs at an average of 12.7 having played in all the round-round robin games.

On a turgid and turning Wanderers surface, Rossouw picked the best day to find some form, making a 41-ball 56 that proved to be the difference between the first and fourth-placed team.

Rossouw didn't want to sound flippant, especially in the face of a hard-earned win, but said he needed to prove to himself that he belongs at this level.

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"It's a mindset thing, but as the saying goes, and I hope I won't burst myself for saying this, but form is temporary, class is permanent," Rossouw said.

"In this game, it was an attitude thing knowing that I am good, and I can play this format at this level. I've played at higher levels, so it was about knuckling down and backing your ability.

"I also needed to play with positive intent today."

Wednesday's win was a contrasting one from Tuesday evening's stroll where the Royals didn't even attempt to chase the 226 set for them.

The Capitals needed an individual to play around, from where a defendable total could be set, with Rossouw being the one to bat through.

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With the Capitals having lost three league games out of 10, Rossouw said they have a sense of family that's allowed them to look