Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the two-time SA20 champions, are poised to kick off their title defence at home, as St George's Park in Gqeberha has been selected to host the opening match of the upcoming season. This iconic venue will also be the stage for the first qualifier at the end of the 30-match league phase, determining which team secures a direct spot in the final, scheduled to take place at Johannesburg's Wanderers Stadium.
The Wanderers, which hosted the first-ever SA20 final, will once again be the venue for the championship match after the second season's final was held at Newlands. While no official reason has been provided for the return to Johannesburg, the decision might be linked to the stadium's larger capacity, as the Wanderers can accommodate over 30,000 spectators, making it South Africa's largest cricket venue.
SuperSport Park is set to host the eliminator and the second qualifier on back-to-back days, marking the second time the tournament's playoffs will be held in Centurion. Meanwhile, Kingsmead in Durban and Boland Park in Paarl remain the only venues yet to host any of the high-stakes matches.
The SA20 season is slated to begin on January 9, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape facing off against MI Cape Town. The tournament will follow the same format as the previous season, where each team plays both home and away matches against every other team before advancing to the playoffs. The total number of matches remains at 34.
Graeme Smith, the SA20 league commissioner, expressed excitement about the upcoming season, particularly the opening in Gqeberha with the defending champions. He stated that the league aims to provide an unforgettable experience for both players and fans, as international talent joins the ranks of local stars.
As the new season approaches, SA20 squads are nearly finalised, with each of the six teams having secured between 14 and 17 players on their rosters. The remaining spots will be filled through an auction scheduled for October 1.