Eagles coach Sarel Cilliers will be relying on the bowling attack to give his side impetus in the Champions League Twenty20.

The Free State franchise have named an initial 20-man squad for the October 8-23 tournament in India, which boasts a list of talented seamers and spinners.

Paceman CJ de Villiers, who claimed ten wickets for 177 runs in 44 overs during an Emerging Players' Tournament in Australia last month, will be expected to lead the line alongside the likes of Ryan McLaren, Dillon du Preez, Jandre Coetzee and slow bowlers Thandi Tshabalala and Con de Lange.

"We've always thrived on having a powerful bowling attack and I really believe they can have an impact in India," Cilliers told www.supersport.co.za. "We definitely put an emphasis on bowling in limited-overs matches and I believe they can win matches for us.

"The bowlers must put pressure on the batsmen and work as a unit."

The Eagles are currently awaiting confirmation from Royal Challengers Bangalore over the status of Du Preez, who played for them during the Indian Premier League earlier this year.

Earlier this week, organisers of 12-team event announced that if a player contracted to two qualifying teams chooses to represent a team that isn't from his home country, then that team must pay $200,000 in compensation to the home side.

Cilliers is expecting a tough trip to India, but is confident his young side can succeed.

He added: "It's going to be tough for this young side, but we've met challenges before with these players and hopefully our never-say-die spirit will make up for our lack of experience."

The Eagles squad is: Boeta Dippenaar (captain), Morne van Wyk, Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Bailey, Rilee Rossouw, Adrian McLaren, Dillon du Preez, CJ de Villiers, Jandre Coetzee, Ryan McLaren, Thandi Tshabalala, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Victor Mpitsang, Allan Kruger, Con de Lange, Charl Pietersen, Wendell Bossenger, Aubrey Swanepoel, Obus Pienaar.