The finalists for this year's men's Super Smash competition will be confirmed on Thursday, when the Canterbury Kings take on the Wellington Firebirds at Dunedin's University Oval.
In a repeat of last year's decider, the two teams will go head to head for the chance to face the Northern Brave in Saturday's grand final.
But one team is hungry for revenge.
Canterbury Kings received the royal treatment ahead of the elimination final.
"That's where every team wants to be, in the final," says captain Cole McConchie.
"To think we're only two good performances away from the trophy is exciting."
And there's no denying they're out for payback, after falling short by five wickets last season.
"Any sportsman who loses a final, you always want to beat the team that got you," says all-rounder Daryl Mitchell.
"They're a great team, and won the competiton for the last couple of years. So it's going to be a great challenge for our group."
And with both teams now bolstered by an abundance of Blackcaps, after the postponement of the tour to Australia, the competition is red hot.
"Obviously there'll be some in-camp banter floating around," Blackcaps opener Tom Latham says. "But it's good for competition for them to be back playing."
As for the Firebirds, they're eyeing their third grand final in as many years. But the team certainly aren't feeling the weight of any expectation on their shoulders.
"I don't think it adds any more pressure," says captain Michael Bracewell.
"We can take those results from the last couple of years, and use it as confidence going into tomorrow."
And with a small number of spectators allowed under a restricted zone system, the Otago Sparks are burning to play in front of a home crowd, in the women's competition.
"It'll be nice to see a few of them on the bank," Sparks captain Suzie Bates says.
"It would have been nice to have a few more but we're just grateful we're out there playing."
All four teams are hungry for just two finals spots.
But with the threat of inclement weather, Canterbury in particular are hoping they'll be rolling out the red carpet and not the rain covers come Thursday.
