No Test cricket... but SA20 blockbusters confirmed for Boxing Day, New Year's eve
With no international cricket scheduled for the Proteas in December and January, the SA20 set to be the major cricket attraction over the South African summer.
The fourth season, which has been brought forward, opens with reigning champions MI Cape Town against Durban's Super Giants on 26 December at Newlands.
Fans will have the opportunity to ring in the New Year in style with a cracking double-header set for Gqeberha and Cape Town on 31 December.
Two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape will welcome the Paarl Royals at an always jovial St George's Park in the afternoon (13:00), with 2025 ending at Newlands with MI Cape Town hosting the Pretoria Capitals (17:30).
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SA20 commissioner, former Proteas captain Graeme Smith hopes the league can capitalise on the holiday season festivities during the South African summer.
'Season 4 of SA20 will be unique,' said league commissioner Smith.
'We've carefully planned the fixtures to make the most of the festive season and school holidays. We want SA20 to be a part of the holiday season festivities in our once-off window for this year.
'With the early part of the fixtures weighted towards our coastal venues, holidaymakers from around the country will have a fantastic entertainment option fit for the entire family.
'We're also excited to host New Year's Eve and New Year's Day fixtures for the first time; we can't wait to be a part of the New Year's celebrations with the fans.'
SA20/Supplied
The Tweede Nuwe Jaar will be celebrated in style at Boland Park with a Cape derby between Paarl Royals and neighbours MI Cape Town on 2 January 2026.
'Announcing the fixtures is always a major milestone for us and signals that we are well on our way to another incredible season,' said Smith.
'The franchises are hard at work behind the scenes strategising around their squads, which will be confirmed at the auction on 9 September. It's all systems go to welcome the best international and local players to our stage.'
The final of the competition will take place on 25 January, with Qualifier 1 scheduled for 21 January, the Eliminator on 22 January and Qualifier 2 on 23 January.
Venues for the final and the playoffs will be confirmed on a later date.
The Proteas then play a five-match T20I series against the West Indies from 27 January to 6 February, before Aiden Markram's charges head to the subcontinent for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Tickets for all the SA20 group stage matches, as well as the playoffs and final will be available during the pre-sale window, which will open on 17 September and close on 9 October.
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