In Cape Town, the Capitals stunned the defending champions MI Cape Town with a crushing 85-run bonus point victory, while over in Gqeberha, the Royals held their nerve to edge the Sunrisers Eastern Cape by five wickets in a tight contest at St George’s Park. Put in to bat first, the Sunrisers struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 149 in their full quota of 20 overs. 

In-form Jordan Hermann led the way with a gritty 47 off 35 balls, while England star Jonny Bairstow chipped in with a brisk 33 off 20 at the top.

Jordan Hermann. Photo: Cricinfo

The Royals’ bowlers shared the spoils, with Nqobani Mokoena producing a standout spell of 4/34. Former Knights seamer Ottniel Baartman also impressed, picking up 3/36 to keep the Sunrisers on a tight leash.

In reply, Royals skipper David Miller rolled back the years with a classy unbeaten 71 off just 38 balls. He found a reliable partner in Keagan Lion-Cachet, who contributed a composed 45 off 40, as the visitors crossed the line with two balls to spare.

Despite the defeat, Proteas quicks Anrich Nortje (2/21) and Marco Jansen (2/25) were superb with the ball for the Sunrisers.

Earlier in Cape Town, the Pretoria Capitals produced a dominant all-round performance to humble MI Cape Town. North West Dragons captain Wihan Lubbe anchored the innings with a polished 60 off 36 balls, while West Indies duo Sherfane Rutherford (47* off 15) and Shai Hope (45) piled on the pain as the Capitals posted a formidable 220/5.

Rutherford was particularly destructive, smashing six towering sixes in a blistering cameo. Former MICT man Dewald Brevis added further sting late on with a rapid 36* off 13 balls, including four sixes.

Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the MICT bowlers with 2/48, but the target proved well beyond reach.

Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford. Photo: Cricinfo

MI Cape Town started brightly in the chase, with Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton putting on 60 for the first wicket. Rickelton fell for a lively 33 off 17 in the sixth over, and although the hosts were still in the hunt at 112/4 in the 10th, a dramatic collapse followed. 

They were eventually bowled out for 135 in just 14.2 overs.

Van der Dussen top-scored with 28 off 20, while Nicholas Pooran (25) and former Knight Reeza Hendricks (18) offered brief resistance.

Rutherford capped a dream day by starring with the ball as well, claiming 4/24, while captain Keshav Maharaj led from the front with 3/28 in a famous Capitals victory.

The action continues on Thursday with the first SA20 fixture of 2026, as the Joburg Super Kings host the Durban Super Giants at the Wanderers. The two sides met as recently as Tuesday, when JSK secured a six-wicket win at Kingsmead.

Thursday’s clash at the Bullring is scheduled to get underway at 17:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh