Players to keep an eye on as the CSA T20 Challenge gets underway in Gqeberha

Cape Town — The CSA T20 Challenge is set to start on Monday in Gqberha.

IOL Sport's Zaahier Adams previews the eight teams competing for honours, and points out the players to keep an eye on during the competition.

Lions

Star Player: Bjorn Fortuin

The left-arm spinner is an experienced T20 campaigner having spent the past couple of seasons with the Proteas T20 squad. He is a wily campaigner that thrives under the pressure of taking the new ball within the Powerplay overs. The conditions at St George's Park should assist him too.

X-factor: Sisanda Magala

The burly seamer missed out on the last T20 World Cup through injury but having tasted ODI cricket this past summer he will be desperate to get on the plane to Australia later this year. Bowls a heavy ball and is renowned for delivering yorkers at the death to close out the game.

Titans

Star Player: Tabraiz Shamsi

The World's No 1 T20 bowler will be absolutely massive for the Sky Blues. Shamsi is in total control of his game at the moment and even when is not taking those big wicket hauls he will deliver his four overs for next to nothing.

X-factor: Quinton de Kock

De Kock's Test retirement may be a blow to the Proteas, but its absolutely massive for the Titans' chances in the tournament. An absolute super star in this format of the game De Kock has the ability to win ga mes single handedly. If he does get going St George's Park will be too small.

Rocks

Star Player: Janneman Malan

The ICC Young Player of the Year has been a revelation the past year on the international circuit in white-ball cricket. He will feel though that he should be opening the batting in T20 cricket too and will look to prove that with his dashing strokeplay up front in Gqberha.

X-factor: Ferisco