Royals’ SA20 squad tailormade for Paarl spin-friendly conditions, says Kumar Sangakkara

Stick to the script and we’ll be okay. That’s the message from Paarl Royals Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara. 

The Royals seemed to endure a shambolic Betway SA20 auction last week. The Boland Park-based team had R14.5 million to fill 13 spots but sat dormant for large parts when the high bidding was taking place for the likes of Dewald Brevis (R16.5 million) and Aiden Markram (R14 million) was taking place. 

There were times when Sangakkara cut a disconsolate figure at the table when the Royals missed out on another potentially key player.

They eventually ended up with six specialists in their squad, which seemed to the outsiders extremely unbalanced. 

Gees Like Royals. Part 4. 💗 pic.twitter.com/MkB3jCKRoU

— Paarl Royals (@paarlroyals) September 11, 2025

But the Sri Lankan feels this was ultimately all part of the plan for the Royals to exploit their spin-friendly conditions at Boland Park. 

“The conditions (at Boland Park) are very different from the rest of the country,” Sangakkara said. 

“Equally, most of the South African pitches over the years have taken spin with Pretoria probably being the one exception. So, yeah, we look to bowl a lot of spin.

“Batting isn’t as easy at Paarl, so we want to bat deep. 

“Of course, we’d like to have Brevis or some of the other players that went for a lot of money. But, unfortunately, we were way behind on our purse. So, you try to work with the purse that you have.”

The Royals certainly formulated a successful template last season, when they adopted the extreme tactic of utilising a full complement of spinners throughout the 20 overs last year at the winelands venue. 

Spinning his way back into our hearts! 🤌
Nqaba stays a Royal 💗 pic.twitter.com/q4oEFZEZSc

— Paarl Royals (@paarlroyals) September 9, 2025

It proved hugely successful with the Royals transforming Boland Park into a fortress by becoming the first side to win all five home games in a SA20 season, which has since been matched by MI Cape Town at Newlands.

The home success was enough for the Royals to qualify for the playoffs for the third season in succession, and Sangakkara feels that if they dominate at home again it will be enough to get them to the knockout stages.

“Like Sourav (Ganguly, Pretoria Capitals coach) said, you don’t really equate the spend (at the auction) on the quality of your team or the players that you get,” he said.

“I think our players are Paarl-centric. And if you do well at Paarl, and then more often than not you’re in the playoffs. 

“That’s our first target. Play well at Paarl, win at Paarl, and then be good enough a side to win elsewhere.” 

The Royals open their Season 4 campaign against two-times champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Boland Park on December 27.