The Nashua Cape Cobras have entered a crucial phase of what has already been a successful season.

As defending champions in the Standard Bank Pro20 competition, the Cobras have tasted the benefits of success in the 20-overs game through their qualification for the inaugural Champions League T20. They did South Africa proud by reaching the semifinals in India at the start of the season.

A clear priority is to qualify for India again by reaching the final of the domestic competition.

The Cobras made an ideal start by winning their opening match, against the bizhub Highveld Lions, at Sahara Park Newlands. A thrilling batting performance, spearheaded by Herschelle Gibbs and Richard Levi, set them up for a win with a bonus point.

But they ran into an inspired Gulam Bodi in a rain-hit second match against the Nashua Titans and not even another fine effort by Gibbs could prevent them losing on the Duckworth/Lewis method.

Gibbs and key bowler Charl Langeveldt will soon be off to join the Proteas in India so the depth of the Cape side will be tested.

Omar Henry, convenor of selectors, said he was confident the Cobras had “bought in” to a situation where they would be without stars like Gibbs, Langeveldt, Graeme Smith and JP Duminy.

With the Cobras heading the four-day SuperSport Series with two matches to play and having reached the semi-finals of the MTN40, Henry said he was delighted that the side had been competitive in all forms of the game.

“But the Pro20 has become a very important competition because it is so popular with the public and because of the financial rewards if you qualify for the Champions League,” said Henry.

The first target will be to make sure of a place in the semi-finals of the domestic competition, then to prevail in the best-of-three semifinals.

Home league games against the Nashua Dolphins at Sahara Park Newlands on Saturday, February 13, and the Diamond Eagles in Paarl on February 17 will be followed by an away match against the Chevrolet Warriors, the early pace-setters, in Port Elizabeth on February 19.