Jonny Bairstow, Tristan Stubbs, and Anrich Nortje in exclusive 1xBet stream
On January 12, 1xBet, the official partner of Sunrise’s Eastern Cape, organized an exclusive online meeting with the team’s players Tristan Stubbs, Jonny Bairstow та Anrich Nortje, hosted by sports presenter Kass Naidoo. Fans had the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the squad, and take part in the prize draw featuring signed bats and Orange Army jerseys.
The tournament through players’ eyes
The meeting opened with a question that has long interested fans. Why Jonny Bairstow became a favorite of the South African public? Jonny replied with a smile that he is sincerely in love with South Africa — the country, people, atmosphere, wine, and barbecue make his time here special. Several years of playing in South Africa have only strengthened this bond. According to him, SA20 is one of the most exciting and competitive leagues in the world, where playing against top-level opponents is a true pleasure.
The discussion of Anrich Nortje's return was no less emotional. His priority is get back, feel the rivalry, see the fans, and perform at home. Jonny Bairstow jokingly added that playing alongside Nortje is more pleasant than confronting him.
Tristan Stubbs also highlighted the atmosphere of Sunrise's Eastern Cape — the desire to enjoy the game and support one another helped the squad to start the season strongly and secure the first victories.
The players also recalled the match that has already become one of the defining moments of the campaign — a dominant win, when the outcome was decided before anyone had time to realize what was happening. Stubbs admitted it was one of those rare days when everything fell into place. The batters set the tempo, the bowlers hit the plans, and the ball seemed to fly into the hands by itself.
When discussing the decisive stage of the tournament, Stubbs noted that the side learned from the previous match and aims to gain momentum ahead of the playoffs. Bairstow added that the calmness and maturity at critical moments shape character and can determine the course of the season. Anrich Nortje specifically focused on the bowling attack strength, emphasizing the role of partners in the powerplay and the energy they set at the start.
What “I Bet on Myself” means to players
At some point, the conversation shifted from jokes to deeper topics. Kass Naidoo introduced the “I Bet on Myself” initiative by 1xBet — a social project that calls for choosing yourself, believing in your own power, and not giving up even when circumstances are against you. It became clear — for Sunrise’s Eastern Cape players, this is not just a slogan, but a lived experience.
Jonny Bairstow admitted that there was no one particular moment in his career when he “bet on himself”. There were many of them, such as injuries, rejections, unsuccessful series, and doubts. According to Jonny, a real bet on yourself is reflected in the ability to rise again and again, even when you feel at the bottom. Family support, inner strength, and the desire to move forward again are what allow you to continue, even after setbacks.
Tristan Stubbs recalled how a few years ago he played club cricket in the Netherlands and lived in a foreign country, not even imagining how quickly everything could change. Today, he is performing on the big stage of SA20, a clear example of self-belief.
Anrich Nortje spoke about betting on yourself as a process that begins in childhood. From the first matches in indoor cricket to the provincial level, from disappointments of not being selected to injuries and forced breaks. Each of these moments shapes character. He emphasized that even now, the main issue remains returning after another trauma and going through the entire training process again. The real challenge is how you return and who you become afterward.
Kass Naidoo aptly observed that in each of the guests' stories, the key word is resilience, and not a one-time act, but a constant quality. It is not a single bold decision, but the habit of choosing yourself repeatedly, even in the moments of doubt. Speaking from personal experience, Kass shared her own path — the dream of becoming South Africa’s first female cricket commentator, despite the skepticism she faced.
At the end of this conversation, the guests wished young budding talents to enjoy the game, keep practicing, and believe in their own strength. The results will follow, along with the joy of cricket.
Delighted fans with gifts
During the stream, 1xBet gave away three signed bats and five official Orange Army jerseys. The players themselves chose the most interesting questions from the fans, which covered everything — from broader topics to light trolling. One of the first, “Who is the best batsman, bowler, and all-rounder in T20 cricket right now?”, sparked a lively discussion and the usual friendly banter between the players.
Equally engaging was the question about the challenges batters face in SA20. Jonny Bairstow pointed out that the main difficulty lies in the unique conditions of each stadium. According to him, the contrast between the pitches makes the league competitive, forcing players to demonstrate real skill rather than simply batting “flat” tracks.
Fans also wanted to look behind the scenes of squad life. Questions to Tristan Stubbs about local traditions that he “imposes” quickly grew into a humorous discussion about braai. As it turned out, the secret to the perfect braai is simple — invite good “braai masters,” and the rest will fall into place. This exchange of jokes once again demonstrated the atmosphere within Sunrise's Eastern Cape — light, friendly, and very lively.
The meeting confirmed that Sunrise's Eastern Cape is a team that brings players and fans together through shared energy, self-belief, and the desire to pursue victory as one.
