Alviro Petersen and Paul Harris will make a timely return for the Highveld Lions in their first leg MTN40 semifinal against the Titans at SuperSport Park on Friday (4pm start).
The two Proteas were key members of the Lions' winning run in the first few rounds of the pool competition before they left for the United Arab Emirates to join the Test squad for the series against Pakistan.
The duo may be just what the Lions need to revitalise their campaign after losing their last three pool games in a row. Those included a heavy defeat to the Titans last time out.
The Titans go into the semifinals as the competition favourites. Having topped the final composite pool log they have home ground advantage for most of their remaining matches and there are very few visiting teams who leave SuperSport Park with a victory under their belt.
The Titans are the undoubted form team with six successive victories to their credit. Faf du Plessis has made centuries in his last two visits to the crease but they will be without Ethy Mbhalati who has been one of the competition's standout bowlers.
The second semifinal on Sunday pits the Dolphins against the Knights in Bloemfontein on Sunday (11am start).
The Dolphins will have to wait until the second leg next week to get two of their star performers, Hashim Amla and Loots Bosman, back in action.
The changed format for this season includes a best-of-three semifinal round rather than the single match of last season. – Sapa