PREVIEW | 17 South Africans to set IPL alight ... and SA TV screens after SuperSport about-turn

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back for its 16th edition, with 17 South Africans looking to impress in India.

In 2022, the Gujarat Titans clinched their maiden IPL title in their first season.

This year's tournament starts on Friday as the Gujarat Titans take on the Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad.

Where to watch it

All 74 matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport after all (Channel 212 and Channel 201) after it was initially reported that it won't be broadcast on the pay-channel.

READ | IPL back on SA TV after sensational 24-hour turnaround from SuperSport

Matches will take place at 16:00 (SA time) and, in the event of double-headers, the first game will start at 12:00 (SA time).

Follow our LIVE coverage of the IPL

The teams will be divided into two groups of five and each team plays a total of 14 matches in the round-robin stage. There will then be three playoff matches and the final will be scheduled at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 28 May.

Indian Premier League groups:

Group A: Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals

Group B: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad

World Cup qualification priority for Proteas

The first week of the IPL will see several Proteas miss out due to the all-important two-match ODI series against the Netherlands.

The ODIs form part of the ICC World Cup ODI Super League programme as the Proteas aim to qualify for this year's Cricket World Cup in India.

The IPL starts on the same day that South Africa host the Dutch in Benoni on 31 March, with the Pink ODI at the Wanderers on 2 April.

The Proteas need to win both ODIs against the Netherlands, however, things won't be