Ram Slam: Kevin Pietersen leads the names taking part in 2015
Learn your Sunfoil Dolphins from your Chevrolet Warriors...
Thursday 12 November 2015 11:26, UK
The Ram Slam is underway.
Here's what you need to know about Sky Sports' coverage of South Africa's domestic T20 competition, who you should support and how it works…
- Six franchises take part, playing each other home and away
- The table-topper qualifies with home advantage for the final on 12th December while the second and third-placed teams play-off for the other place
- Maximum of five points for a win - four, plus an extra bonus point for winning by a run-rate 1.25 times better than your opponent. It's two for a no result. Tied matches will be decided by a super over.
CHEVROLET WARRIORS (2014/15: Fifth)
Where do they play? Port Elizabeth and East London
Team colours: Green
History: Formerly called the imaginatively catchy Eastern Cape, the Warriors have won the fewest domestic T20 titles, their one triumph coming in 2009/10 when Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince both scored fifties in an 82-run win over the Lions.
Ones to watch: The star names from that side five years ago - the likes of Kallis, Prince, Mark Boucher, Wayne Parnell and Makhaya Ntini - are long gone and unless you're a member of the Colin Ingram fan club, it's slim pickings. He is the only eye-catching name in this Warriors squad, but did impress hitting three fifties for Glamorgan in the T20 Blast earlier this summer, striking the sixth-most sixes in the competition with 19.
VFB KNIGHTS (2014/15: Third and runners-up)
Where do they play? Bloemfontein and Kimberley
Team colours: Blue and gold
History: They're two-time winners but their last triumph was 10 years ago under the guise of the Diamond Eagles. The Knights battled back to the final last year, but they lost seven wickets for 26 runs in an almighty batting collapse against the Cape Cobras. Their wait to reclaim the Ram Slam title goes on.
Ones to watch: West Indies' Andre Russell returns for a second-straight year as the Knights overseas star having impressed averaging 30.33 with the bat and taking 13 wickets with the ball last year. There's further strength in the batting with promising South African youngsters Rilee Rossouw and Reeza Hendricks, plus a star name on the bench in coaching consultant Allan Donald.
THE UNLIMITED TITANS (2014/15: Sixth)
Where do they play? Centurion
Team colours: Blue
History: Titans by name, Titans by nature. The joint-most successful side in South Africa's domestic T20 tournament, with three titles to their name. However, last year the Titans made more like the Titanic, sinking to the bottom of the table with just two wins from 10.
Ones to watch: It's impossible to look beyond a certain AB de Villiers. The man is transforming the game of cricket with his destructive and oft-improvised hitting. There's further talent in the form of internationals Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plesses and Morne Morkel, but all are currently tied up with an approaching Test series in India. Their absence last year didn't exactly help.
SUNFOIL DOLPHINS (2014/15: Fourth)
Where do they play? Durban and Pietermaritzburg
Team colours: Black and green
History: The Dolphins won their only T20 title in thrilling fashion with a two-run triumph over Cape Cobras in 2013/14. Defending a score of 147, some exemplary death bowling by Kyle Abbott (2-17) saw them to a dramatic win on the Cobras home turf in Newlands.
Ones to watch: Who else? Kevin Pietersen. You can't keep the man out of the spotlight, and we don't intend to. Pietersen's first of five matches for his home province will be live on Sky Sports 5 HD this Sunday from 1.30pm. West Indies' Dwayne Bravo takes over once KP has had his fun, while Abbott still leads the attack which also holds the threat of leg-spinner Imran Tahir.
BIZHUB HIGHVELD LIONS (2014/15: Second)
Where do they play? Johannesburg and Potchefstroom
Team colours: Red and gold
History: Twice winners in 2006/07 and 2012/13. Chris Gayle - overseas star last year - led their pursuit of a third title with one hundred and two fifties in his eight appearances, before the Lions were tamed by the Knights in the playoff for the final.
Ones to watch: Highly thought of 20-year-old pacer Kagiso Rabada has impressed greatly in his early foray into the international set-up, averaging 20.23 in ODIs and 25.22 in T20Is. And county cricket followers will see some familiar faces in Alviro Petersen and evergreen Neil McKenzie, who turns 40 on November 24. The absence of Gayle will be sorely felt though.
NASHUA CAPE COBRAS (2014/15: First and champions)
Where do they play? Cape Town and Paarl
Team colours: Blue and yellow
History: Defending champs, and three-time winners along with the Titans. The Cobras lost only once - to the Lions - on their way to the title last year, and have made the final two years on the trot in fact, losing that thriller to the Dolphins in 2013/14.
Ones to watch: It's a star-studded list to take your picks from with Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander all representing the Cobras. There are a few more familiar faces in the form of Richard Levi - scorer of the fastest international T20 ton - death-bowling duo Wayne Parnell and Rory Kleinveldt, and former 'frog in a blender' turned head coach, Paul Adams.
