Boland’s dominance is reflected in the tournament’s statistics. Off-spinner Imran Manack is the second highest wicket-taker with 15, veteran leg-spinner Shaun von Berg has 10 and Aviwe Mgijima 7.
However, the Dolphins are perhaps the one team Boland would not have wanted to meet in the final, given that they’re accustomed to spinning conditions. “It is similar, but only in terms of spin, it differs in other regards,” Subrayen said of conditions in Paarl, compared to Kingsmead.
The presence of Keshav Maharaj is a boon for the Dolphins, adding experience and leadership to their side, along with his prodigious skill.
When the teams met in Paarl in the league phase, Boland won by six wickets, dismissing the Dolphins for 174, with all 10 of the visiting team’s wickets falling to spinners. Boland also bowled 10 more overs of spin than the Dolphins, something that Maharaj, who missed that match while he was away at the Champions Trophy, will help offset on Sunday.
The Dolphins had plenty of luck fall their way this week, but in Jon-Jon Smuts, Jason Smith and Bryce Parsons, they also have three batters who’ve scored more than 200 runs in the competition, while Subrayen and Maharaj are a wily duo who will know precisely how to use conditions in Paarl.
A win for Boland would be special for a union which is not flush with cash, but has a deep reservoir of talent, which head coach Justin Ontong has used smartly to put them within sight of a second title since the return to a 15-team domestic structure.