Newlands to host SA20 showpiece Final in 2024

Newlands was announced today as the host venue for the 2023 SA20 Final, with the City of Cape Town as Host City. Traditionally in South Africa, Finals and major series deciders have been staged at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, as it has a bigger crowd capacity. SA20's announcement will assist the City of Cape Town in promoting Cape Town to a global tourism audience, with a focus on certain key markets.

Newlands is a popular venue for its beauty as well as its rich history as a cricket venue. However, an additional factor is the energy of the Newlands Faithful crowd, who support cricket at the venue in large numbers. Even if their crowd capacity is lower than the Wanderers, it is widely argued that the atmosphere at Newlands for a match under floodlights can't be beaten.

Graeme Smith, South Africa's most successful cricket captain, and one of our greatest cricketers of all time, announced on Monday 20 November 2023 the decision that the City of Cape Town would be the Host City for the Final, with Newlands staging the showpiece final. Newlands will also host the first Qualifier, on 6 February.

“This is a city with a unique vibe, iconic locations and incredible entertainment options. We look forward to it hosting a world-class Final come 10 February 2024," announced Smith in his capacity as Betway SA20 League Commissioner on Monday. The occasion also marked the 50-day countdown until the first ball is bowled in the SA20.

“Summer and cricket have always been synonymous with one another and with the January/February window locked in annually, the SA20 will be the place to be. Cape Town is not only a global tourist destination for summer holidays but is a proven event destination successfully hosting the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Final, the Volvo Ocean Race, the URC Final, the Cape Epic and many more,” added Smith. 

Smith also confirmed that the Wanderers will not be left out in the cold when it comes to the business end of the tournament. The imposing Wanderers "Bullring" will host the two key knockout matches, which will be played back-to-back on 7 February (the Eliminator) and on 8 February (Qualifier 2).

The Wanderers hosted the 2023 SA20 Final and was also the stage for the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup Final. It also holds a place in cricket history as the venue for one of the greatest ODIs in the history of cricket, the famous 438 game when the Proteas won an incredible victory over Australia off the second-last ball. That match holds the record for the most combined runs scored by both teams in an ODI (872 runs).

Defending champs the Sunrisers Eastern Cape get their SA20 campaign off with a mouth-watering home encounter against the Joburg Super Kings in Gqeberha on 10 January, with the match set to ring into action a non-stop month of cricket fever that is sure to take South Africa by storm once again.