Ferreira steps up to lead JSK in Gqeberha, Leus du Plooy replaces injured Du Plessis

With Faf du Plessis out of the remainder of the SA20 due to a right thumb ligament tear, Donovan Ferreira is set to captain the Joburg Super Kings for the rest of the season, with the 27-year-old set to start his tenure against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Gqeberha on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Joburg Super Kings announced that Du Plessis was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament and that Ferreira would make the step up as captain the side.

Ferreira is not new to the leadership role, having led the Proteas T20I team and the Titans in domestic cricket.

With such a powerful figure in Du Plessis out of the tournament, the Super Kings also needed to find a replacement opening batter, and they announced a familiar face in Leus du Plooy as his replacement. 

Ferreira and Du Plooy will most likely step into their new roles at St George's Park on Wednesday, as they are set to go head-to-head against the two-time champions and last season's runners-up. 

Both teams head into the clash wounded, having lost their previous games. The Super Kings lost by 36 runs at the hands of the defending champions, MI Cape Town, in Johannesburg over the weekend. 

On the other hand, Sunrisers lost a last-over thriller against Durban's Super Giants in Gqeberha on Sunday, losing the match by two wickets with three balls remaining in the match. 

As a result, the two teams will be looking to bounce back in their clash on Wednesday. 

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape will particularly look to reassert their dominance in the tournament, but also at home, given the sheer support that the team receives at home. 

Throughout the four seasons of the tournament, the people of 'The Friendly City' have been head and shoulders above the rest, sending a powerful message as the country's best supporters. 

The band and the fans make for an intimidating place to travel to as an opposition team, a feat that Tristan Stubbs' Sunrisers Eastern Cape would be keen to repay with a victory at home on Wednesday. 

On the other hand, Super Kings will look to maintain their spot in the qualification zone, with the round robin stage of the tournament wrapping up on Sunday. 

Sunrisers currently sit at second place on the standings, a single point behind the Pretoria Capitals, while the Super Kings currently sit at third place, three points behind the log-leaders. 

The clash between the two sides is scheduled to get underway at 5.30pm SAST in Gqeberha on Wednesday.