With two matches left in the round robin phase of the 2025/26 CSA T20 Challenge, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will be determined to punch their ticket to the play-offs when they face the Momentum Multiply Titans and DP World Lions on Friday and Sunday.
The Dolphins are in the nation's capital on Friday afternoon taking on the Titans in what will be a pivotal match in their pursuit of a top four finish. Should the Dolphins beat the Titans then they will book their spot in the play-offs with one match to go.
With the play-offs following the same format as last season with an initial qualifier between the top two teams on the table. There is then an eliminator between the third and fourth team.
The winner of the eliminator and the loser of the qualifier will then play against each other for a spot in the final against the winner of qualifier 1.
It's another important weekend of action for the Dolphins and coach Quinton Friend feels the side has put last week's results behind them as they aim for a spot in the top four.
"It's never nice to come off back-to-back losses but we don't want to look back on the past and the mood in the camp is good going into this weekend," Friend said.
"We had a rest day on Tuesday and then had a good session on Wednesday and will have another good session on Thursday.
"It's important that we identify where we need to be better and we're going to implement those changes this week ahead of Friday's match."
The significance of Friday's clash isn't lost on Friend, but he hopes that his team can regain the form they showed in the initial parts of the competition.
"We know it's a big game and we have to make sure that we come out and play better cricket and show why we are a better team than our last two matches," he added.
The Dolphins welcome back allrounder Jason Smith whose experience will bolster the Dolphins batting. Khaya Zondo is also back in the squad for the trip to Centurion.
"It's great having both of them back and they will definitely give us a bit more fire power at the top of the order.
"Hopefully they can come in and prove their worth straight away," Friend commented.
The Dolphins are back home at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Sunday in front of their home fans; however Friend and the team are purely focused on Friday's task.
"We know that Friday is a crucial match and one that we must win so we aren't looking past that at the moment.
"It's going to be massive and hopefully we can come back home off the back of a good result.
"The team love playing at home and feed off the home fans and it's important that we have that support on Sunday," he mentioned.
Following his stint with the Dolphins Leus du Plooy has left to take part in the Abu Dhabi T10 competition.
Tickets for Sunday's match at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium can be found at ticketpros.co.za or at the stadium ticket office.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad:
Khaya Zondo, Eathan Bosch, Andile Simelane, Bryce Parsons, Nqobani Mokoena, Tristan Luus, Jon-Jon Smuts, Tshepang Dithole, Aryan Gopalan, Hanu Viljoen, Gomolemo Phiri, Anrich Nortje, Jason Smith.
