The Global T20 competition is a thrilling concept, yet the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras must stay passionate and focused on their top priority of winning domestic silverware in the 2017/2018 season, said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Cobras.

Dien spoke at the launch of the new Sunfoil Series season, which starts on Tuesday. The Cobras and the defending champions, the VKB Knights, will clash at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein in their first match.

He encouraged the Cobras squad to stay committed to the core values of the franchise: legacy, their fans, their future and their history.

The proud Cape champions won 5 titles between 2012 and 2015 and produced 21 international players since the dawn of the new millennium.

Dane Piedt, the Cobras skipper, said the coach, Ashwell Prince, told the squad: “What is the point of playing if you don’t play to win silverware?”

“We did not cover ourselves in glory last season, and we have a point to prove. We are capable of winning the (Sunfoil Series) trophy,” he added.

Temba Bavuma, who joined Dien, Piedt and Prince as well as the World Sports Betting representatives Warren Tannous and Ryno du Plessis for some questions and answers with Jeremy Harris of Heart FM, said PPC Newlands fuelled his passion and desire to play for South Africa while he was a kid.

Asked about what words were exchanged between him and Ben Stokes on the way to his maiden test century in January 2016, Bavuma reacted philosophically. “I would rather not say what was said.”

He said when there is sledging, every player reacts differently while still staying true to the competitive streak within one’s self.