The Pretoria and Johannesburg franchises have topped the league stage of the vibrant competition; and the Highveld is all set for a thrilling end to proceedings.
Having only kicked off its inaugural season a month ago, competition commissioner and former Proteas captain Graeme Smith already believes that SA20 has given the game “its energy back”. And the supporters are certainly here for it.
The six Indian Premier League-owned franchises each played each other twice, with the majority of the initial games taking place in the coastal areas of South Africa.
The past week has been all about Gauteng, though, with the province showing its eagerness for the final three games despite the occasional showers in the air.
The Wanderers were painted yellow as the Joburg Super Kings got two big wins in two days to see them through to the last four.
On Sunday, it was captain Faf du Plessis that played his heart out at the expense of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape; and on Monday the emerging Leus de Plooy made his opportunity count with a cracking man of the match performance over MI Cape Town.
The Pretoria Capitals beat the MI Cape Town by one wicket in a thrilling Centurion clash on Saturday.
On Tuesday, the Capitals beat the Paarl Royals after a defeat to the Durban Super Giants courtesy of a Heinrich Klaasen masterclass on Sunday. But Paarl still edged Durban on net run rate to capture fourth spot.
The Wanderers will play host to the Pretoria Capitals against the Paarl Royals in semi-final number one on Wednesday. While Joburg Super Kings will take on Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the second semi-final at Centurion on Wednesday.
The final will take place in Johannesburg as well come Saturday, with reserve days available in the case of inclement weather.
Pictured above: Supersport Park, Centurion
Image source: @pretoriacapssa
