JOHANNESBURG(AFP) - South Africa will host the Indian Premier League (IPL) during April and May, it was confirmed at a press conference here Tuesday. The decision follows days of frenetic speculation over whether South Africa or England would earn the right to host the second edition of a dazzling show featuring the international stars of cricket. South Africa was chosen even before IPL commissioner Modi held talks with officials of the England and Wales Cricket Board in London, scheduled for Wednesday. Modi and Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Gerald Majola told media at Wanderers Club here that the Twenty20 tournament would be staged from April 18 into May. A tournament that attracts most of the biggest names in the game is being moved from India because the dates clash with general elections and there would be insufficient security for the cricket event. Bollywood cinema stars and major Indian industrialists own the IPL eight teams and cricketers are 'bought' at an auction for a tournament designed to feed the enormous Indian appetite for their favourite sport. South Africa beat England to the hosting rights because of several factors, including weather, finances, television rights and the speedy issuing of more than 1,000 visas. Rain is less likely to affect matches in South Africa than England during the tournament period and with a dollar worth almost 10 rand it is an attractive option financially. Johannesburg-based sports channel SuperSport hold the rights to IPL and international cricket in South Africa, clearing a huge hurdle. CSA sources told AFP another factor which favoured South Africa was government assurances that the 1, 000-plus visas required would be processed swiftly and the tournament would receive "red-carpet treatment". Majola and Modi have developed a close personal relationship through various cricket projects, including the formation of the Twenty20 Champions League last year. With the IPL heading for South Africa, the country becomes the centre of the cricket world with Australia touring until April 17 and a 12-nation qualifying tournament for the 2011 World Cup starting next Wednesday. The International Cricket Council eight-nation Champions Trophy, the second biggest tournament after the World Cup, will also be held in South Africa during September and October.