The Central Gauteng Lions will host the 4-Day Series final, which starts on Thursday.
The Lions, who finished top of the log with 115.14 points, take on the second-placed Northerns Titans (108.56) in the five-day decider at the Wanderers.
The Lions’ last league-stage match against the Free State Knights in Bloemfontein was abandoned without a ball being bowled, while the Titans drew their rain-affected match against Boland in Centurion.
The other match, between the North West Dragons and Western Province in Potchefstroom, was also abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The Titans did all they could in the overs that were played. They dismissed Boland relatively cheaply – for 252 – despite a ton for Pieter Malan (118 off 248 balls; 15 fours).
Then in reply, the batsmen were sensational. Rivaldo Moonsamy struck an attacking 117 off 125 balls (11 fours, three sixes), Dewald Brevis plundered an unbeaten 80 off 57 balls (nine fours, three sixes) and Neil Brand hit a run-a-ball 61.
That helped the hosts to get 323-6 in 48.5 overs and secure the points they needed to hold on to second spot.
The result for Boland saw them finish fourth on the table with 97.00 points, just ahead of Western Province on 93.84 points.
The KZN Dolphins needed to beat the EP Warriors at St George’s Park to finish second ahead of the Titans, but suffered a 37-run defeat.
The result saw the Warriors finish above the Free State Knights on the promotion-relegation table, with the latter relegated back to Division 2.
The Warriors secured a first victory of the campaign thanks to an inspiring all-round showing by their captain Senuran Muthusamy, whose first-innings century and fourth-innings five-for were key to victory.
Muthusamy struck an unbeaten 106 (216 balls; 15 fours, one six) to help his team post 264 after winning the toss and batting at the start.
The hosts then dismissed their visitors for 208 to earn what proved to be a priceless 56-run lead. Christopher King was key with his 5-61 putting the Warriors on top at halfway.
A century by JP King (143 off 179 balls; 14 fours, five sixes) then helped the hosts post 325 in their second innings and set a target of 382.
They got 344 of those runs after a fine anchoring job by centurion Khaya Zondo.
The veteran batsman made 118 (174 balls; 16 fours, two sixes), and helped by Jason Smith (54) and Eathan Bosch (80*), took the Durbanites close to pulling off an outstanding chase.
In the end, they finished just short as they ended the season in third with 97.66 points.
Warriors vs Dolphins scorecard
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
