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South Africas T20 competition enters the final week with all six franchises still in contention for the playoffs. With eight matches left, heres how things stack up for each team.Titans Eight matches, 24 points The defending champions are sitting comfortably at the top of the table and only need one win to secure a playoff spot. Two could give them a home final, provided they are not leapfrogged by the Warriors. They will be mindful of being pipped at the post after tailing off in their last two games. The Titans won their first five completed matches but have since been defeated twice.Tabraiz Shamsi has already been put back in the squad and they also have Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock - although he is suffering from a virus - in their ranks. AB de Villiers is in contention to play in their final league match on Sunday but Morne Morkel, who was due to get a game in a bid to prove his fitness ahead of the Sri Lanka series, is unlikely to feature as he continues to nurse a back niggle.Warriors Seven matches, 23 points The Warriors put in dominant performances through the mid-section of the league phase - winning four matches in a row - and are a win away from guaranteeing themselves progression. They could go ahead of the Titans and slip straight into the final with three wins and some help from other results.Without many big names in their ranks, the Warriors have relied on team efforts. But one man, Andrew Birch, has stood out. He leads the wicket charts with 17 scalps at 9.23 and will likely keep Kyle Abbott on the sidelines. Sisanda Magala and JJ Smuts have also put in prominent performances so far.Lions Seven matches, 16 points A stop-start campaign from the Lions could have finally taken off after they surged back into contention for the playoffs with a five-run win over the Warriors at the weekend. They need to win all three remaining games to be assured of a playoff place but can get there with two if other results go their way.They will have to do so without Kagiso Rabada, who is being given some time off in the middle of a busy season, but in his absence Hardus Viljoen has lead the attack impeccably. He is second on the wicket-takers charts currently. Consistency in their batting is the Lions main issue; theyll be hopeful Temba Bavumas return does the trick for them.Dolphins Eight matches, 15 points Kevin Pietersens return did not inspire the Dolphins to a victory that would have left them well-placed for the qualifiers. Instead, they now need to win both their remaining matches, preferably with bonus points, to get into the semi-final. However, their fate is no longer in their hands.Keshav Maharaj is back for them but they will want more from the likes of Cameron Delport and Robbie Frylinck, especially after their attack was depleted by Andile Phehlukwayos injury. They will remain hopeful of their chances, especially because Morne van Wyk has been in good form with the bat.Cobras Seven matches, 12 points A season marred by off-field drama sparked to life when the Cobras beat the Dolphins to keep their trophy hopes alive. They need three bonus-point wins to qualify for the semi-final but could get there with three ordinary wins, provided other results go their way.They have already welcomed back Dane Vilas and will be boosted by the inclusion of JP Duminy. Even without their other national stars - Vernon Philander (rested) and Hashim Amla (neck injury) - the Cobras have a formidable XI, with Kieron Pollard and Wayne Parnell forming a powerful middle order.Knights Seven matches, five points After storming to second on the first-class log earlier in the season, the Knights have hit a snag and sit bottom of the T20 competition. They will need to win all three of their remaining fixtures and hope for plenty of favours to qualify.Both David Miller and Rilee Rossouw are injured, which has left it to Theunis de Bruyn to carry the batting without too much support. Marchant de Lange has continued his fine first-class form but they need a few more wicket-takers.With inputs from Shiva Jayaraman . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. . Olli Jokinen, Mark Scheifele, and Bryan Little each had a goal and an assist as Winnipeg won 5-2, handing Calgary its record-setting seventh consecutive loss on home ice. . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. CINCINNATI -- The Reds trade of popular slugger Jay Bruce was not going over well in the clubhouse the day after.I think I see the plan, veteran pitcher Homer Bailey told ESPN.com. They talked about us losing 100 games at the beginning of the year, and s---, were damn sure trying, arent we?Both Bailey and veteran first baseman Joey Votto made some critical comments about the trade to Cincinnati TV stations on Tuesday, the day after the non-waiver trade deadline. The Reds traded Bruce, who leads the National League with 80 RBIs, to the New York Mets for 22-year-old second baseman Dilson Herrera and 19-year-old pitcher Max Wotell.Bailey said that unless Herrera turns out to be as good as Seattle Mariners star Robinson Cano, The Mets got the better of us on that one.Bailey said it was a blow inside the clubhouse because the Reds were playing better, having gone 9-3 in the days leading up to the deadline. He said the team was beginning to feel like it was building momentum toward the 2017 season, similar to the way it generated momentum before a division title in 2010. The Reds were 20 games under .500 going into Tuesdays game against the??St.dddddddddddd Louis Cardinals.I think its kind of like you see the balloon getting bigger, and then, all of a sudden, you poke a hole in it, Bailey said. Apparently, they know a lot more than we do.Bruce was tied with Adam Duvall for the team lead in home runs (25) and second to Votto in OPS (.875).I dont have anything to say about the trade, but Jay was one of my very good friends, and I just wish him luck, Duvall said. I am sad to see him go just because he meant a lot to me, even though I was only here one year.Bailey, who just returned from the disabled list, said he thinks the disappointment he expressed was felt universally within the team.There is a business side, but you know what? Its always kind of players vs. team. Thats always the way it goes, he said. Theres nothing personal about that, but right now, were definitely making some moves that are quite questionable, especially for the guys who put on the jersey every day. If youre in a rebuilding, then who better to build around than Jay Bruce? ' ' '
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