Sunrisers EC FB
Sunrisers Eastern Cape will begin the defence of their maiden Betway SA20 crown against Joburg Super Kings at St George's Park on 10 January next year.
The opening fixtures were announced in a statement on Tuesday and will feature 34 matches across six venues around the country.
Each team will host a home match in the opening week, bringing to life the fierce contests and city-based rivalries amongst the six IPL-owned teams.
“Following the season opener in Gqeberha, Durban's Super Giants (DSG) host MI Cape Town in a coastal derby at Kingsmead on Thursday, 11 January before Paarl Royals and last season's runners-up Pretoria Capitals, face off at Boland Park on Friday, 12 January.”
“The Wanderers will kick off a bumper opening weekend when JSK and MI Cape Town go head-to-head at the Bullring on Saturday, 13 January at 13h30 before the Sunrisers tackle DSG at St George's Park at 17h30. “
League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said the fast-paced action then moves to the nation's capital where the Pretoria Capitals welcome the Paarl Royals to Centurion for a new 15h30 Sunday start.
“MI Cape Town will host their first home match at Newlands on Tuesday, 16 January against Champions, the Sunrisers.”
The League also announced a new playoff structure for Season 2; with a Qualifier 1, Eliminator, and a Qualifier 2 setting up the road to the Final.
Mid-week matches will now start at 17h30, to give fans an opportunity for “a post-work and post-school feast of cricket during the week.”
"With the Season 2 auction around the corner, the momentum is building and we are thrilled to announce these fixtures," Smith said.
