CSA have announced the draw for the 2016 edition of the Africa T20 Cup, set to get underway on 2 September.

Defending champions Northerns will start their bid to retain their title in Group B of the second edition of the competition to be played at Oudtshoorn’s Recreation Ground. They will be up against hosts SWD, Northern Cape and one of the three continental African teams, Kenya.

The full draw was done by CSA in Cape Town on Wednesday with Pietermaritzburg, Oudtshoorn, East London and Paarl the venues for the four groups. The venue for the Finals Weekend will be decided at the end of the Group Stage.

It will take place over four consecutive weekends as from 2 September to 25 September, culminating in the Finals a weekend later.

The draw:
Pool A (Pietermaritzburg Oval) – KZN Inland, Namibia, Western Province, North West: 2-4 Sep
Pool B (Recreation Ground, Oudtshoorn) – South Western Districts, Northerns, Northern Cape, Kenya: 9-11 Sep
Pool C (Buffalo Park, East London) – Border, Easterns, Free State, Zimbabwe: 16-18 Sep
Pool D (Boland Park, Paarl) – Boland, KZN, Eastern Province, Gauteng: 23-25 Sep

‘The forefront of this competition is the development of players from the semi-professional affiliate teams and their exposure to playing alongside franchise players,’ commented Corrie van Zyl, CSA General Manager. ‘The feedback we have had from the coaches, captains and players has been extremely positive. Going into the second season of this tournament we must look to build on what we have already achieved.’

The competing teams will be playing for prize money of R300 000 going to the winners.

All affiliates are required to include at least two franchise players in their respective squads and no more than four can play in any one match. In addition, all squads must include two U21 players who have yet to play franchise cricket.

The fixtures will be announced in due course.