Going to be interesting to see if the wickets will be as sporty again next season for the 4-day competition.
I also think Proteas inclusions and exclusions will help certain teams. For instance Rudolph is available full time for Titans and that will help them out.
For the Lions, Quinton de Kock needs to follow up his first full season with another dominant season in the longer version for me. I think the signing of Tsostsobe might bring good balance to the Lions attack with Morris and Viljoen as well being part of that attack. They will get Tahir for a large chunk of games. I think they will be up there for most trophies but will need de Kock and Morris to be available for a decent proportion of games. Newly contracted Rassie van der Dussen looked a very good bat and he could make some runs for the Lions, very classical and tall and a good timer. Backing them to do really well like Snippie says above.
For me the Cobras won't see much of Smith, Amla, Kallis, Duminy, Robbie P & Steyn. Once again I think they have good longer version batting but rely on Levi and Vilas big time in the one-day game. Not sure if Kemp, Louw & Langeveldt will make major contributions so it will be interesting to see if they give some young guns a go. The young quicks Lizaad Williams and Beuran Hendricks look very exciting. But I think they may have an up-and-down season over all.
Warriors will face the same problems for me, batting woes in the longer version potentially but lets see. Have a good attack with Harmer, Theron, Birch, Gqamane & the new kid on the block Nqweni.
Supposedly the Kingsmead wicket is being prepared to bring back its pace to go with its bounce. So we will see how that goes. They may miss Abbott for the beginning of the season if he joins Proteas squad in Dubai and that will be a big loss. Because they need Abbott to bring along the young quicks Savage, Kirsten & Dupavillon but will have to fall on guys like Craig Alexander & Mthokozisi Shezi. Also hoping the young spinner Subrayen can kick on, not seen a young SA spinner turn the ball like him ever basically. Really exciting and with his high action , a Durban wicket will always aid him with the bounce. Like the Warriors I'm not sure if their batting line-up will contribute enough. but the Dolphins are definitely on the up under Klusener and may be in with a shout in one of the limited overs comps.
What can I say about the Knights, constant over achievers. Rely heavily on Hendricks, Elgar and Rossouw with the bat, in fact they are the senior batsman for them now with the loss of Morne Van Wyk & Ryan Bailey. All the experience is in the bowling department with van der Wath, du Preez & Friend. But I will expect them to find a way and compete again this season.
For the Titans, well with Rudolph he will pile on the runs like he does in domestic comps. I reckon they will be in with a shout in the 4-day com this season. Big season for Marchant de Lange to stay fit and add more accuracy to his pace. Albie Morkel will also contribute more for them now as well. So those senior players will help them big time. They always like to produce a quick in this region and they contracted JP de Villiers so could be a break out season for him.
So 4-day Sunfoil Series - Lions, Titans or Cobras
Momentum 1-day comp - Dolphins, Warriors or Lions