Lions back on home turf ready to slay Dragons after KZN triumph

After starting their Pro20 Cup campaign with a marvellous victory in Durban against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins, the DP World Lions are back on home turf on Friday night as they take on the North-West Dragons at Joburg’s fortress: The DP World Wanderers Stadium.

Although the Dragons are neighbours of the Lions, the Pride will show no mercy, well aware of their bonus point win over the Warriors in the double-header that began the competition.

Whilst the 2025/26 T20 campaign didn’t meet the high standards set by the Lions, the team are determined to reclaim the title they won in both 2023/24 and 2024/25 and winning their home games will be vital in that respect.

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who bowled so well in Durban, is not available as he joins the Proteas in preparation for their Test series against Australia. But that blow will be cushioned by the return of ace spinner and dangerous lower-order batsman Bjorn Fortuin, after his starring role in South Africa's ODI series win over the tourists.

Left-arm spinner Fortuin has been a key figure in the Lions' success in recent years but with Johannesburg having experienced rainy weather this week, coach Russell Domingo said their principal method of slaying the Dragons could well be via the pace bowlers.

"It was a really nice start at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, but there are areas we need to get better. There's no Wiaan but JJ Basson and Bjorn are back in the mix. We'll make our final selection after we look at the pitch but I think the seamers could have an important role. Early wickets up front set you up and with Lutho Sipamla, Codi Yusuf and JJ Basson we have a very nice pace attack. With the weather we've had this week, I think the DP World Wanderers Stadium pitch could do a bit, so it's important that those bowlers hit their straps," Domingo said.

The head coach backed up bowling coach Allan Donald's views on 18-year-old left-arm paceman Basson, whose debut for the Lions was nothing short of sensational, as he took 11 wickets in the four-day match against Boland.

"JJ is a helluva nice prospect. Having watched him in the nets, that debut was not a surprise. But we've got to be patient with him, not rush him, we need to find the right times for him to play," Domingo said.

Basson was absent from #ThePrideOfJozi's second four-day game and their Pro20 Cup opener at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead as he was writing matric exams but he could well return to the XI at the scene of what was the most impactful debut by a Lions bowler in a century.