Ongama Gcwabe
TONIGHT, two of the country’s most successful domestic teams – the Lions and Titans – will show up for yet another Jukskei derby, this time in a CSA T20 Challenge semi-final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
More than anything, tonight’s match will be a stern test of the two team’s cultures.
Lions captain Bjorn Fortuin spoke highly of his team’s culture and referred to it as one that is deeply rooted in winning trophies, which makes his job as captain a touch easy.
“I’ve been quite fortunate coming into the side that has won trophies and fortunate to be captaining a side that knows how to win trophies,” Fortuin said yesterday. “I wouldn’t say that the team runs itself but it’s nice to be part of a set-up where everyone knows what’s expected of them.
“Barring a couple of younger players, there’s not a lot of guidance that’s needed off the field. Everyone’s professional enough to know what’s needed on the day and leading up to games.
“It’s something that’s been engraved not only with this current team but all the Lions teams that I have been a part of have been built around winning.”
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— DP World Lions (@LionsCricketSA) April 23, 2024
The Titans have always been a dangerous team as they have shown in how they were able to turn their campaign around, going from being almost completely ruled out of the semi-finals to winning four consecutive matches to take the last remaining semi-final spot.
The two teams have produced thrillers this season, including a super-over match and each team walked away with a home victory. However, Fortuin is confident that his troops have the skills and quality to book a spot in the final.
“We don’t want the game to go to a super-over but that could be at the back of our minds. We are focusing on what we can control,” he continued. “The way that they want to play the game doesn’t phase us.
“They’ve got quite a few weapons but we know that we’ve got the quality that if we play to our potential, it doesn’t matter what game plan they come with. We’ve got enough skill and quality to nullify any threat they have.”
The Lions have a unique weapon of their own in 21-year-old leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter. The East London-born youngster has been in good form in the campaign as he has claimed 15 wickets in eight matches while conceding at only five runs per over.
“On Nqaba, you can see he is one of those players that when he is doing well, he can take the game away from the opposition within the space of two or three overs,” said Fortuin.
“That’s what we encourage guys to do – when you’re having those good days, you want to be the guys that put in man-of-the-match performances and take the game away from the opposition, and that’s what he’s done for us this season,” he concluded.