The Central Gauteng Lions finished top of the T20 Challenge log after Sunday’s final league-stage matches, with Western Province grabbing the last playoff spot.
On Friday,WP beat the Free State Knights by six wickets.
On Sunday, the Lions beat the North West Dragons by five runs in Potchefstroom, while the Northerns Titans claimed a six-wicket win (DLS method) against the EP Warriors in Gqeberha to end second on the log.
Boland’s four-run win (DLS method) against the KZN Dolphins in Durban was not enough for them to make the playoffs, as they finished a point behind WP on the log.
On Tuesday, the Lions will take on the Titans in the first playoff qualifier at the Wanderers, with the winner progressing to the final.
The Dragons and WP will then meet in the eliminator playoff at the Wanderers on Wednesday, with the winner facing the loser of the first qualifier in the second qualifier playoff on Friday.
The final is scheduled for next Sunday.
In Potchefstroom, the Lions posted 170-3 thanks to Connor Esterhuizen’s 62* off 39 balls and Rassie van der Dussen’s 59 off 38.
The Dragons fell just short, on 165-6, despite Ludwich Schuld’s 60 off 51 deliveries.
In Gqeberha, Jordan Hermann struck a brilliant 101 off 60 balls as the Warriors posted 179-6.
After a rain break, the Titans were set a revised target of 174, with Rivaldo Moonsamy (73 off 39 balls) and Dayyaan Galiem (55 off 34) helping them reach it with 16 balls to spare.
In Durban, Boland scored 167-4, with Shaun von Berg leading the way with 50 off 31 balls, while Keith Dudgeon (36 off 28) and Lehan Botha (31 off 23) also made valuable contributions.
Rain then reduced the Dolphins’ target to 88 off 10 overs, and they ended on 83-5.
Playoffs:
Qualifier 1: Tuesday, 22 October (18:00): Lions vs Titans, Wanderers
Eliminator: Wednesday, 23 October (18:00): Dragons vs WP, Wanderers
Qualifier 2: Friday, 25 October (18:00)
Final: Sunday, 27 October (14:00)
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
