PROTEAS VS ENGLAND: THE 'X-FACTOR' PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Proteas and defending champions England are set for a blockbuster ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super Eight clash in St Lucia today.

Both teams boast a host of Betway SA20 superstars, with some being teammates and others having played frequently against each other, that all possess that game-changing X-factor.

Here is a look at 'The X-Men' that could determine today’s encounter at the Daren Sammy Stadium.

Quinton de Kock (SA, DSG) v Reece Topley (ENG, DSG)

The Durban's Super Giants pair have shared a dressing room for the past two seasons at Kingsmead, and would know each other’s games inside-out. It certainly helped Topley at last year's 50-overs World Cup when he had De Kock caught behind early on in Mumbai. De Kock, fresh off a rollicking 78, will certainly want to get his own back on the lanky left-arm seamer.

Aiden Markram (SA, SEC) v Jos Buttler (ENG, PR)

Both are not just high-class batters and integral to their team's fortunes with willow in hand, but are also their respective team's leaders. Although the England skipper does not captain the Paarl Royals, he is a key part of the leadership team that has come up short against Markram's Sunrisers Eastern Cape over the past two SA20 seasons. The tactical battle will be key in this T20 World Cup encounter and it could be decided by which skipper will be braver in his decision-making.

Heinrich Klaasen (SA, DSG) v Adil Rashid (ENG, PC)

If there is one batter in the world that has spinners all around the world staying up at night, it's DSG’s Klaasen. SA20's Player of Season 2 has been phenomenal for a period of time, and that is largely due to his ability to take down the spinners in the middle period. Rashid is, though, England's best ever white-ball spinner and has kept Klaasen in check before during his time with the Pretoria Capitals. A fascinating duel awaits.

David Miller (SA, PR) v Moeen Ali (ENG, JSK)

There is just something about left-handers that ooze class and both Paarl Royals’ David Miller and Joburg Super Kings’ Moeen Ali exhibit it in bundles. And for good measure, both possess plenty of power too that allows them to clear the boundary with ease. There's no doubt that England skipper Buttler will also call on Ali’s wily off-spinners the moment Miller walks to the crease.

Kagiso Rabada (SA, MICT) v Jofra Archer (ENG)

Both fast bowlers are box-office in their own right. They are the leaders of their respective attacks and take that responsibility very seriously. But once upon a time in SA20 Season 1, they shared the new ball for MI Cape Town and had the Newlands faithful enthralled with their pace and ferocity. They are back in opposing dressing rooms tonight, and will surely want to put in a big performance to own the bragging rights when they are due to catch up for the post-match drinks.