Three-way tussle for Betway SA20 Play-offs

Betway SA20 has reached its final weekend of league matches with all the focus on the battle for the remaining two play-off spots.

Paarl Royals and MI Cape Town have secured their berth in Qualifier 1 set to be staged at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Tuesday.

Who will join them in the play-offs involves a three-way battle between Sunrisers Eastern Cape (19 points), Joburg Super Kings (19 points) and Pretoria Capitals (14 points).

The Capitals may be trailing by five points but they have two matches remaining compared to Sunrisers Eastern Cape and JSK’s one.

The Pretoria side will face an in-form MI Cape Town in both matches, starting with a crucial encounter at a sold-out Centurion on Friday before heading down to Newlands on Sunday.

Defeat for the Capitals and they will be eliminated and Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings will advance to the Eliminator at Centurion on Wednesday.

A bonus point victory for the Capitals today will place Kyle Verreynne’s team level on points with SEC and JSK heading into the final round of matches over the weekend.

In the event of a tie between Pretoria Capitals and one or both of Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings, Pretoria Capitals will finish below these teams as they will have fewer wins. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

If Pretoria Capitals win both their games (irrespective of bonus points) and one or both of Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings don’t win, Pretoria Capitals will finish above that team. ​

Sunrisers Eastern Cape have a shoot-out with the table-topping Paarl Royals at a sold-out St George’s Park at 1pm on Saturday.

The defending champions will be hoping the passionate Orange Army inspire them in their final home match of Season 3 to the victory they require that will send them straight into the play-offs. The match is sold out online with few tickets available at the stadium.

Joburg Super Kings will meet Durban’s Super Giants at the Wanderers on Saturday evening.

The Super Kings are filled with confidence after inflicting just the second defeat on the Royals in Season 3 on Thursday evening and they will be eager to continue that momentum against a struggling DSG outfit.

Captain Faf du Plessis is also back in form and will be hoping to lead his team to the play-offs with a straight victory.

The prize these three teams are battling for is a spot in the Eliminator on Wednesday, February 5 at Centurion.

The victor will progress to Qualifier 2 the following day at Centurion to meet the loser of Qualifier 1.

The winner of Qualifier 1 will face-off against the winner of Qualifier 2 in the Final at the Wanderers on Saturday, February 8.

Both Centurion and St George's Park as sold out for the weekend matches, however, fans can still book their seats for the exciting play-off matches taking place from 4 February. Ticket for the play-offs are available at www.SA20.co.za

Fixtures

Friday: Pretoria Capitals v MI Cape Town, Centurion, 5.30pm

Saturday: Sunrisers Eastern Cape v Paarl Royals, St George’s Park, 1pm

Saturday: Joburg Super Kings v Durban's Super Giants, Wanderers, 5.30pm ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Sunday: MI Cape Town v Pretoria Capitals, Newlands, 3.30pm ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Tuesday: Qualifier 1: First v Second, St George’s Park, 5.30pm ​ ​ ​ ​

Wednesday: Eliminator: Third v Fourth, Centurion, 5.30pm

Thursday: Qualifier 2: loser of Qualifier 1 v winner of eliminator, Centurion, 5.30pm ​ ​ ​

Saturday, 9 February: Final: Winner of qualifier 1 v winner of qualifier 2, Wanderers: 5.30pm