3 players MI Cape Town can sign as Ben Stokes' replacement for SA20 2025 ft. Bevon-John Jacobs 

England Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out for at least three months after tearing his left hamstring during the third and final Test against New Zealand in Hamilton earlier this month.

Stokes’ name was missing from England's Champions Trophy squad which subsequently ruled him out of the upcoming SA20, slated to be played from January 9 onwards. The all-rounder was roped in by the MI Cape Town ahead of the third edition of the tournament.

It comes as a blow for the franchise as Stokes' presence lends the ideal balance to any side he plays for. Barring his exceptional skillset as a batter, he is someone who can chip in with some important overs with the ball and can also be part of the leadership group.

The hamstring injury has been a recurring issue for Stokes over the last couple of years. He has used himself sparingly in Test cricket in this period. During the Hamilton Test, he bowled a lot of overs which might have been the reason behind his breakdown.

With so many T20 tournaments slated to be played around the same time, MI Cape Town are left with few options as far as Stokes' replacement is concerned. Let us look at three possible replacements the team might be looking at.

3 players MI Cape Town can sign as Ben Stokes' replacement for SA20 2025

#3. Lutho Sipamla

Sipamla has played 11 T20Is for South Africa. Source: Getty

It might not be an ideal replacement but MI Cape Town might look at someone like Lutho Sipamla who is a local talent and knows the conditions in South Africa better than the overseas players.

He has been around the international circuit for a while now but has played just 19 international matches so far. He made his T20I debut for South Africa against Pakistan in 2019 but hasn't managed to make the impact he would have wanted in the white ball formats.

With not many options left, the 26-year-old could be on the radar for MI Cape Town. He is not someone who rattles batters with his pace but it's his accuracy which makes him a potent option. If given an opportunity, he will certainly look to make a significant contribution.

#2. Curtis Campher

Curtis Campher celebrates picking a wicket during the T20 World Cup. Source: Getty

The Irish all-rounder might be the most ideal replacement for Ben Stokes, though his skill set is certainly nowhere close to the England Test captain. Campher is someone who tends to lend an ideal balance to the Ireland squad with his all-round abilities.

Campher was born in Johannesburg and was raised there and certainly has a big connection with the Rainbow Nation. He has a good all-round record in the white-ball formats for Ireland.

He will look to prove a point or two if he does get an opportunity for MI Cape Town. The seam-bowling all-rounder can also smash some lusty blows in the lower-middle order. If required, he can also play the waiting game and build an innings if his side loses early wickets.

#1. Bevon John Jacobs

An explosive middle-order batter, Bevon John Jacobs has already been picked by the Mumbai Indians for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The MI connection might just work in his favor while securing a deal for MI Cape Town.

The 22-year-old was fast asleep in New Zealand when the Mumbai Indians snapped him up. Jacobs, who has a South Africa connection, hogged the limelight during the 2023-24 Super Smash.

He was born in Pretoria before his family migrated to New Zealand when he was three years old. Jacobs could be an ideal replacement for Stokes as he is from a similar mold of batsmanship.