The Titans have arrived in Abu Dhabi keen to show why they are South Africa’s top dogs in T20 cricket.
Albie Morkel’s side have won the last three Ram Slam competitions at home, but they are motivated by the chance to transfer that form onto the world stage.
It is the reason why they have brought with them international talent such as Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Theunis de Bruyn, Heino Kuhn and Chris Morris.
The Titans are in Group B alongside Boost Defenders and Auckland Aces.
“It’s exciting for us,” said former South Africa all-rounder Morkel.
“We’ve been successful for the last couple of years in South Africa, but we never compete against teams from other countries.
“It’s important for us to do well.
“We’ve worked really hard over the last five or six years to get our changing room in order, and that’s where success starts. Our set-up is as professional as can be.
“This is a very short tournament, which is a first for us.
“Normally T20 competitions are played over two or three weeks, but this is a new idea for all of us. I think it’s going to be very entertaining.
“It will be a very popular concept, especially for domestic players.
“There’s a lot of T20 opportunities around the world, but not many domestic players get to play in those leagues.
“It’s a pity you can’t play against all the teams and it’s only two games and then into a possible final. But, hopefully, in the future, this can roll out into something bigger and we can play five or six games against some of the best teams around the world.”
The Titans are at the start of their domestic season and played a four-day game which finished on Saturday, a home draw at Centurion against the Dolphins.
“All the teams are at a different level,” said Morkel.
“Our guys played a four-day game at the weekend and were straight on a plane immediately afterwards.
“The Aussies are in a one-day campaign, the New Zealanders are yet to start their season and Yorkshire have just finished.
“But that’s the nature of global cricket these days. You have to be able to adapt and adapt quickly.”
Morkel accepts that his squad and Yorkshire’s are probably the strongest looking on paper.
“That’s probably fair,” he said. “The other teams seem to have sent their younger players because of other commitments.
“But, as we know, you can’t play the game on paper.
“You might be the favourites and end last or the other way around and finish first. You just never know.
“In our current squad, we have nine guys playing for the Proteas.”
And Morkel believes there are plenty of players in his squad who can move through to play international cricket.
He added: “There’s Andrea Agathangelou, who hits the ball hard and has played a bit of county cricket, Rivaldo Moonsamy and Eldred Hawken. He’s a nice bowler coming through.
“I’m leaving some guys out now, but hopefully those are the guys who will do well.”
