Played before the new league campaign kicks off, the competition features eight top teams from the previous season.

McCarthy says the tournament gives the coaches a chance to see if they have the right personnel, while for the players it is a good yardstick to see how far they are in terms of fitness and where to improve.

"For the coaches it will be to also say that how far away do I still need to improve, what players I need to get. Personally, for the players, it can be also to say judge yourself where your personal performance is and how you are going into the season and also where you lack, what do you need to improve more," McCarthy said.

"If some players still want to cross floors or change or looking for other avenues or even those contracts that are expiring in August, they can negotiate after two, three good games to say, hey give me a five-year contract or give me more because you have the power button."

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The former Bafana Bafana international says the MTN8 competition helps teams to study the opposition ahead of the gruelling league season, and sometimes be able to determine if they can get points from that side or not.

"I always say, this is the easiest tournament or cup to win and it also can set you apart from the top teams you are gonna play against. You are only gonna play against four but at least more or less you will judge yourself and say 'Okay, I can get 12 points already here if I fix this,” he added.

“Then watch the others how they play, I can collect 12 more points or maybe even 10 points or nine points then you know, you have that advantage of 20 points from the seven teams that you play or you watch or you see."

In the opening match of the MTN8 Orlando Pirates secured a 3-1 victory against SuperSport United on Saturday night while Stellenbosch FC will take on TS Galaxy this afternoon at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Fall of Wickets	Player	Score	Overs	Bowler	Out
3	Muhammed Mayet	183	35.1	Ntando Soni	Catch OUT
2	Jurie Snyman	75	14.1	Thobile Hlatuka	Catch OUT
1	Zakir Kathrada	69	11.6	Schalk Engelbrecht	Catch OUT

Finished CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division Two