The eagerly awaited SA20 Season 3 is poised to bring another electrifying summer of cricket to South Africa, with the tournament scheduled to run from 9 January to 8 February 2024. Featuring a star-studded lineup of both local and international players, the season promises to deliver thrilling matches across the country.
The season will kick off with a blockbuster opener at St George’s Park, where the reigning champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC), will begin their quest for a third consecutive title against MI Cape Town (MICT). This much-anticipated match will feature exciting duels, including a face-off between SEC captain Aiden Markram and MICT’s marquee signing, Ben Stokes, as well as a battle of left-arm pace between Marco Jansen and Trent Boult.
Following the opener, the action shifts to Kingsmead on 10 January, where last season’s runners-up, Durban’s Super Giants (DSG), will face Pretoria Capitals (PC). Fans will get their first glimpse of New Zealand legend Kane Williamson in action for DSG, while speedster Anrich Nortje returns for the Capitals after missing the previous season due to injury.
The excitement continues on 11 January with the Paarl Royals (PR) hosting SEC at Boland Park, and Joburg Super Kings (JSK) taking on MICT under the lights at the Wanderers. The weekend’s action will culminate with a clash between the Pretoria Capitals and DSG at Centurion on 12 January.
As the tournament progresses, the stakes will rise, leading into a thrilling playoff stage. This season, the playoffs will be spread across three venues to engage more fans. St George’s Park in Gqeberha will host Qualifier 1, while Centurion will stage both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2. The grand finale will return to the iconic Wanderers Stadium on 8 February 2024, promising an epic conclusion to the tournament.
SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, stating, “Season 3 is set to be bigger and better, with a fantastic lineup of matches that will captivate our fans. We’re thrilled to start the season in Gqeberha with our defending champions and look forward to an action-packed summer of cricket.”
Fans across the globe can look forward to live broadcasts of all 34 matches, with coverage available in Sub-Saharan Africa, India, the UK, Australasia, the UAE, and through ICC TV globally. With the squads being finalized at the auction on 1 October 2024, the momentum is building, and cricket enthusiasts are encouraged to mark their calendars for a summer filled with world-class cricket.
