Newlands confirmed as host venue for SA20 final ahead of fourth season

Kingsmead in Durban, Centurion and the Wanderers have also been confirmed as hosting venues for key playoff matches of the competition starting on Boxing Day this year.

The playoff will kick-off in Durban on 21 January when the top two sides from the league phase clash in qualifier 1 to see who goes directly into the final.

The eliminator will then be played in Centurion on 22 January between teams that came third and fourth in the standings, with the winner set take on the loser of qualifier 1 at the Wanderers on 23 January.

SA20 league commissioner Graeme Smith said: "Last year Newlands sold out all five matches at the venue and with the Final taking place on a Sunday, it sets up an incredible afternoon with great weather, entertainment and a lively atmosphere to crown our Season 4 Champions.

"Durban will host a Playoff for the first time and we're hoping this will excite the fans, especially because the two best teams of the competition will be playing in that Qualifier 1.

"We're also excited to go back to Centurion and Wanderers on the Thursday and Friday nights, it's always key to have the venues close together because the matches are a day apart.

"It's always an interesting challenge for us to get the scheduling of the Playoff matches done and done well. Especially after an exciting Group Match stage that finishes two days before the first Playoff match. I am looking forward to seeing who will be competing."

The next milestone will be the player auction that will take place on 9 September in Johannesburg, where the six franchises will finalise their 19-player squads.

MI Cape Town are the current holders of the SA20 trophy having been crowned champions for the first time at a sold-out Wanderers earlier this year.