Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled the schedule for the popular SA20 franchise league, confirming dates for the next three seasons and detailing the playoff structure for this year’s edition.
On February 3, CSA and SA20 finalized the window for the league to aid stakeholders in marking their calendars and ensuring smooth national planning. Graeme Smith, the former South African captain and current League Commissioner, expressed the significance of this long-term planning. "Confirming the SA20 window for a three-year period allows the league to provide certainty for all stakeholders and helps secure our place when planning the global calendar," Smith said.
The fourth season of SA20, scheduled to kick off on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, promises to capitalize on South Africa’s peak cricket season. This season will lead directly to the ICC T20 World Cup set for February 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Smith added, "We know fans respond particularly well to weekend and holiday fixtures. With the ICC T20 World Cup set for early February next year, our Season 4 dates offer a unique opportunity to capitalize on South Africa's peak cricket season."
Looking ahead, Season 5 will run from January 9 to February 14, 2027, followed by Season 6, which will start on the same date, January 9, 2028, concluding on February 13, 2028. According to Smith, this early planning allows the league to explore extended windows from 2026/27, enhancing scheduling and logistics for both players and fans.
The current season, SA20 2025, is already heating up as it moves toward its playoff phase. The competition has seen intense performances over 25 days of league matches, leading to the emergence of the top four teams: MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Joburg Super Kings, and the defending champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
The playoff stage kicks off with Qualifier 1 on February 4, where MI Cape Town will face Paarl Royals at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. MI Cape Town finished the league stage at the top of the points table with 35 points from 10 matches, making them the favorites going forward. Despite this strong performance, they suffered one of their two losses to the Paarl Royals during the group stage, adding tension to the upcoming qualifier.
After the Qualifier, the losing team will have to face off against the winner of the Eliminator match, which will pit two-time defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape against Joburg Super Kings on February 5. Following this, the second qualifier will occur on February 6, setting the stage for the grand final on February 8, which will take place at the iconic venue in Johannesburg.
The playoffs will serve not only as the climax of the current season but also as a showcase of the SA20 league’s vibrant cricketing talent. Each team will be stacked with local and international stars, as MI Cape Town boasts players like Colin Ingram and Kagiso Rabada, whereas Paarl Royals have formidable talent with David Miller and Dinesh Karthik.
Viewers can catch the live telecast of the playoff matches exclusively on Star Sports Network, with streaming available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.
Overall, the confirmation of the SA20 league window and the organization of playoff matches reflect CSA's commitment to fostering cricket within the country, creating excitement among fans and providing clarity for future scheduling. The anticipation surrounding the playoffs and the strategic planning for upcoming seasons signal promising growth for the league and South African cricket, presenting numerous opportunities for teams and players alike.