Daijiworld Media Network- Johannesburg
Johannesburg, Jan 31: Joburg Super Kings kept their SA20 playoff hopes alive with a commanding victory over table-toppers Paarl Royals at the Wanderers on Thursday.
The Super Kings remain in fourth place but are now level on 19 points with third-placed Sunrisers Eastern Cape. However, the defending champions hold the advantage due to a higher number of bonus points.
Leading from the front, skipper Faf du Plessis played a match-winning knock, scoring a brilliant 87 off 55 balls, including four fours and seven sixes, as Joburg comfortably chased down the Royals’ 150/9 with seven wickets in hand.
"We needed that. It was a big game for us to stay in the competition. Really quality chase on a tricky wicket. I’m pleased with the overall team performance," said Du Plessis, as quoted by the official SA20 website.
The key difference between the two teams was Joburg’s solid start. Du Plessis and Devon Conway (20 off 25 balls) built a crucial 54-run opening stand, setting the foundation for the chase. In contrast, the Royals lost Sam Hain—who replaced Joe Root—off just the second ball of their innings.
"You have to be positive in the Powerplay and not get stuck with 25-30 runs. It’s always about finding the balance between attacking and putting pressure on the opposition in the first six overs," Du Plessis added.
Off-spinner Donovan Ferreira was instrumental in dismantling the Royals’ batting lineup, finishing with impressive figures of 3/23. He was well supported by pacer Lutho Sipamla (3/19), who now has 11 wickets in the tournament.
Despite getting decent starts from Lhuan-dre Pretorius (19 off 11 balls) and Rubin Hermann (28 off 26 balls), the Royals struggled to build partnerships. Veteran batter Dinesh Karthik fought a lone battle, scoring a valiant 53 off 39 balls, marking his maiden SA20 half-century.
Paarl Royals were without Joe Root and captain David Miller, who was unavailable after his wife gave birth. This gave opportunities to some fringe players to get valuable match experience.
"The biggest positive is that several players got some much-needed game time. The conditions were tough, and some dismissals were inevitable," said stand-in skipper Bjorn Fortuin.
Paarl Royals have already secured a place in Qualifier 1 against MI Cape Town at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on February 4. The winner of that clash will advance directly to the final at Wanderers on February 8.
Meanwhile, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Joburg Super Kings, and Pretoria Capitals are battling for the two remaining playoff spots. Pretoria Capitals face a do-or-die encounter against MI Cape Town at Centurion on Friday, followed by the Sunrisers vs. Paarl Royals clash in Gqeberha on Saturday.
The teams finishing third and fourth will compete in the Eliminator at Centurion on February 5, with the winner advancing to Qualifier 2 the next day to fight for a spot in the final.