SA20 2025-26: Qualification scenarios of all teams explained

So far, two teams have qualified for the SA20 2025-26 knockout stage.

The 4th edition of the SA20 2025-26 has become a thriller, with all four remaining teams in the round robin still standing a chance to qualify for the playoffs.

Paarl Royals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape have already secured a berth in the next round, and now the fight is between Pretoria Capitals, Joburg Super Kings, Durban Super Giants, and MI Cape Town for the final two spots.

Thus, without further ado, let’s look at the qualification scenarios of all the teams in the SA20 League.

Qualification scenarios of all teams-

Paarl Royals

Paarl Royals have secured a spot in the playoffs with five wins in eight matches, alongside a washout. The Royals accumulated 24 points in the league stage. With still two games left, David Miller’s team will be hoping to finish in the top two for a spot in Qualifier 1.

To qualify: Qualified.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape

After getting a stellar start to the season, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape have qualified for the playoffs despite two washouts. They have also secured bonus points in all 4 matches they have won, and lost only two. Both of their remaining two battles are against MI Cape Town.

To qualify: Qualified.

Pretoria Capitals

Pretoria Capitals currently stand at 20 points with four wins and four losses each, alongside a no-result. Their final match is against Joburg Super Kings, which could prove to be a do-or-die battle.

A win confirms qualification for the Keshav Maharaj-led team, but a defeat would mean they no longer have their fate in their own hands.

If the Capitals lose, the Super Kings qualify. DSG cannot surpass PC, but if MICT register massive wins in their last two matches, they could potentially displace the Capitals. Hence, Capitals are in a better spot compared to the other teams.

To qualify: Must win their last game.

Joburg Super Kings

Joburg Super Kings need to win just one more match out of their remaining two to qualify. However, their recent performance is worrying.

After winning the first three matches, they have suffered three defeats and two washouts, putting them in a dangerous situation in the absence of captain Faf du Plessis. Super Kings play PC on Jan 17, and PR on Jan 19. A win would suffice.

If they lose both matches, their fate will no longer be in their own hands, and PC would qualify. Then, the Super Kings will have to hope that the Super Giants lose their last match and that Cape Town lose at least one of their remaining two matches against SEC.

To qualify: Must win one of their remaining two games.

Durban Super Giants

Not many would have thought that the Durban Super Giants would find themselves in this position at the start of the season. Despite a star-studded squad, the Super Giants have failed to get going this year. 3 washouts have not helped their cause, and they stand fifth with only two wins out of their 9 matches.

A win alone would no longer suffice, as they would still be trailing the Capitals. To be the fourth qualifying side, the Giants must win their match against Paarl Royals on Jan 17, and hope JSK lose both their matches, and MICT does not win more than one match out of their remaining two battles (or a bonus point in any of their remaining matches, even if they win both).

To qualify: Must win their last game, and hope for other results to go their way.

MI Cape Town

Defending champions MI Cape Town are currently in the worst position. They have won just two matches and hold 10 points to their name, and are set to play the SEC twice. Losing even one match would mean elimination.

Winning both won’t guarantee qualification either, as they must hope Super Giants lose their final match, and Super Kings lose both their remaining matches. If both these results go their way, and they win their last two remaining games, then they might find a chance to sneak through.

If the Super Kings win even one of their remaining two, MICT will be eliminated. If Super Giants win their last match, MICT still have a chance.

Then MI would need to win both of their matches against SEC by a big margin and also secure a bonus point in at least one of those matches, which would bring their total points to 19.

To qualify: Must win both their games (with a bonus point potentially), and hope for other results to go their way.

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