Hashim Amla believes something has clicked in Ryan Rickelton’s batting that has seen him extend his form onto the international stage with the Proteas.

Rickelton has been scintillating at the top of the order in MI Cape Town’s surge to their first-ever SA20 final, scoring 303 runs in just seven innings at a strike-rate of 175.

The left-handed batter came into the the tournament on the back of a majestic double-century (259) in the New Year’s Test against Pakistan, where he showed he can do more than bludgeon the ball after spending close to 10 hours at the crease.

Rickelton has blossomed for the national side over the last five months, hitting maiden milestones with the bat in all three formats.

The 28-year-old hit his first international fifty in September last year, smashing 76 against Ireland in Abu Dhabi before following that up with 91 against the same opponents in the ODI series in October.

He then scored a maiden Test hundred against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park in December before starting the year in fine style at Newlands.

Amla has watched Rickelton up close over the last few years as the Proteas legend serves as batting coach at MI Cape Town and the Lions.

“It’s been wonderful to see Ryan’s progression through the ranks,” Amla said. “I think everybody who had watched him play domestically knew that he was a consistently high-performing batsman.

“I think averaging 50-plus in first-class cricket, in the limited overs, being very successful and usually for batsmen, it happens at age 27, 28, 29 something clicks and to see that happen with him, certainly in the Test Arena when he has now got a 250.

“I think last year during the SA20 was the first time maybe a majority of South Africans took note of him because he batted so well in the competition and since then, he’s just got better and better. 

“He’s an extremely hard worker, very fit and very determined. He has got the qualities of somebody who wants to score runs and that’s the most important thing.”

MI Cape Town have had a major turnaround this campaign, from finishing rock-bottom in the first two seasons to now topping the table and reaching the final.

The team in blue had plenty of batters stepping up throughout the tournament while being well-led by captain Rashid Khan, backed up by some superb bowling performances.

Asked about MI Cape Town’s transformation in 2025, Amla said: “It’s hard to say what’s been different but I can tell you that currently the team has been playing good cricket all round.

“Last year we had the batting that kind of excelled a bit and we couldn’t follow it up in the field. In the first year, it was the other way around, the bowling was pretty decent and we couldn’t get the runs on the board. This year the batting, the bowling and the fielding have all fallen into place really nicely.

“That’s why there’s been consistency in performance and some good victories as well. You also need a lot of things to go your way as well, certain catches need to be taken, catches need to be dropped for you to move forward and fortunately, it’s been that type of season.”

MI Cape Town will play two-time defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape for the SA20 trophy at the Wanderers on Saturday.

Photo: SportzPics