The highly anticipated SA20 league kicked off on Tuesday with a scintillating Western Cape derby between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals.

The league, which has been on everyone’s lips since its announcement, has been dubbed the “missing puzzle piece” in solving and correcting South Africa’s T20 woes.

Without a doubt, the competition also offers a fresh path in terms of exposing young, talented players to the international scene.

However, in Cape Town, the league with only a few hours in its birth has become more than just cricket.
I have to admit, the hype surrounding the opening game had me concerned at some point. It was until last Saturday when we were told online tickets had sold out that I believed a spectacle was on the cards.

Arriving at the stadium two hours early was probably more ideal for me, considering I’d never experienced what a packed Newlands looked or even felt like.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve covered cricket at Newlands before, but what was in store was beyond my imagination.

From witnessing fans parked outside the gates two hours before entry was allowed to seeing them storm into the ground like a flock of sheep after receiving the green light was truly a highlight for me.

It’s no doubt that the marketing and branding of the tournament have been out of this world.

This was further demonstrated by the initiatives offered around the ground before and during play. If one didn’t take a picture aside the SA20 “standee” then they must’ve had their faces painted with MI colours by John and his crew.

There were also MI T-shirts and bucket hats given out for free to fans at the entrance, and even though some didn’t get it and others left with three to four, that chaos for me was a reminder of why I’ve always wanted to be a journalist and reporter.

Furthermore, how does one enjoy summer cricket in scorching Cape Town weather? Well, of course, with a cold one alongside fried chips and a lekker hot dog with lots of ketchup. Did I mention the opening ceremony with Sho Madjozi and Jerusalem hit-maker Master KG? – Well, all of that was on display.

Aside from covering the spectacle from a supporter’s perspective were the observations and conversations I had in the media box with fellow journalists and some seasoned campaigners. Now, why was this important? Well, when you enter the sports journalism industry you idolize certain people that tick all the boxes for you in terms of where you see yourself in the next few years. You may then not be able to conversate with them because they reside in other cities or you just never bump into them.

The media box changes all of that and allowed me to tap into the brilliant minds of some top journalists that have blessed this country with quality content for the longest time.

Apart from all the entertainment and activities around the ground, the cricket, which was the focal point that brought everyone to Newlands was magnificent.

To look on as Jofra Archer made his return to cricket action with 3 wickets and Dewald Brevis smashing the ball in all facets of the ground to get an unbeaten 70* off 41 balls was astonishing!

The Royals also delivered some excellent cricket with Jos Buttler reaching a half-century after the crowd was treated to some “Miller Time” as the skipper registered 42 runs from 31 balls.

What one hopes now is that what happened at Newlands will translate to the five cities set to host matches during the tournament. Yesterday should be used as an example of how to rejuvenate cricket in South Africa post-pandemic.

In saying so, the opening match of the SA2O was an outstanding spectacle. One that will shape the future of T20 cricket in South Africa and one I will share with my grandchildren at the dinner table one day. Indeed a spectacle of ages.