Proteas fast bowler Lizaad Williams has set his sights on helping the Joburg Super Kings secure their first-ever SA20 final appearance. After experiencing his first taste of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Delhi Capitals last season, the South African pacer is now channelling his energy and focus toward making a significant impact in the upcoming Betway SA20 Season 3.

“The SA20 is obviously a very exciting tournament for various reasons, not only for us as players, but I’m sure for the fans as well. Me playing here at the Joburg Super Kings and seeing the turnout in the first two years, it just makes the whole project a very exciting one for season 3 to kick off with.

”Williams, who has previously struggled with injuries, emphasised how critical it is for him to remain fit throughout the tournament to maximise his contributions to the team.

“I think from a personal point of view, it’s just trying to stay injury-free. I got injured in the last one just before the semi-final. It had kind of an influence on the balance of our side, and obviously, from a team’s perspective, I just hope we can go one further because we lost in two semi-finals now. Obviously, just contributing towards the team in whatever way I can. Every match is going to be tough, so I just try to take it game by game. At the moment, it’s just trying to get my body in the best shape to be ready when it comes.”

The anticipation for the final, which will be held at the Wanderers Stadium on 8 February 2025, adds an extra layer of motivation for Williams and his team. Playing on home turf could provide a significant advantage, but Williams knows that consistency throughout the tournament is key.

“Yeah, that’s obviously a big factor that the final is playing at Wanderers because every team is obviously trying to build a team that’s gonna suit their home conditions. Obviously, if we can get into the final being played at Wanderers, you almost wanna say it gives us a bit of an advantage because it’s our home ground. But there’s so much happening before the final, and it’s just about playing consistent cricket throughout the SA20. As you could see with the Sunrisers, they’ve literally been consistent for two seasons, and that’s required to win trophies—you have to be consistent throughout the tournament.”

The Joburg Super Kings have been close to reaching the final, having made it to the semi-finals in both previous seasons. Unfortunately, they fell short against formidable opponents. In Season 1, they lost to Sunrisers Eastern Cape at SuperSport Park, where Aiden Markram’s century proved to be the game-changer. In Season 2, it was Heinrich Klaasen’s strong innings for the Durban Super Giants that knocked the Super Kings out.

Williams reflects on these crucial matches and what the team can learn going forward.

“So the first year, we lost against the Sunrisers at SuperSport Park, where Aiden Markram scored an unbelievable hundred, and to be honest, that was the difference between the two teams. And how the last one we lost against the Durban Super Giants, where Heinrich Klaasen scored seventy or eighty, which I felt was literally the difference as well. So from a bowling perspective, me being a bowler, I think we just have to upskill ourselves. Or maybe it’s not so much about upskilling—I think it’s more about just being more calm when the pressure is on.”

One key factor that Williams believes will be vital to the Super Kings’ success in Season 3 is having a fully fit and firing seam attack. The absence of Gerald Coetzee last season, who was sidelined due to injury, was a significant loss for the team. Williams is hopeful that with a healthy Coetzee, along with Nandre Burger and himself, the team can pose a serious threat.

“One guy we did miss last year was Gerald Coetzee. He obviously got injured before the tournament, so hopefully, if he can be fit this year, then we’ll have him, Nandre Berger, and myself, which is a very strong local seam attack. Like I say, if we can stay injury-free, all of us, I feel we have enough firepower to win the tournament.”

The Joburg Super Kings will open their SA20 2025 campaign with a home fixture against MI Cape Town at the Wanderers on 11 January. All eyes will be on the team as they aim to start the tournament on a high and build momentum toward that coveted final at their home ground.