By Adnaan Mohamed
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape confirmed their dominance of the Betway SA20 by clinching a third title in four seasons with a six-wicket win over the Pretoria Capitals in a dramatic final at Newlands on Sunday.
A sold-out Cape Town crowd watched Tristan Stubbs and Matthew Breetzke produce an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership to overhaul the target with four balls to spare.
Their heroics were required after Dewald Brevis had earlier delivered one of the finest innings the grand old ground at the foot of Table Mountain has witnessed.
Brevis sets the stage
Walking in with the Capitals reeling at 1/2, Brevis launched a fearless counter-attack, smashing a sublime 101 off 56 balls (eight fours, seven sixes). It was a statement innings from the league’s record signing, lifting Pretoria to a competitive 158/7.
For much of the chase, that total appeared enough to hand the Capitals their maiden SA20 title as the Sunrisers slid to 48/4 and the required rate ballooned.
Stubbs flips the script
The momentum shifted dramatically in the 18th over when Stubbs tore into Gideon Peters, plundering 21 runs to revive the chase. Newlands sensed a twist as 12 runs followed off Lungi Ngidi’s penultimate over, before Stubbs delivered the decisive blow with two consecutive sixes off Bryce Parsons, to send the Orange Army into raptures.
Sunrisers coach Adrian Birrell hailed both the spectacle and his team’s composure.
“I am really proud and thrilled. It was a hell of a final. For Dewald to play like he did and for us to hold them to 158. And then needing 13 an over for the last four-five overs,” Birrell said.
“I’m very proud. Four finals in a row is a fantastic achievement. I’m very proud of every player and the whole squad. Some players haven’t played and we’ve got a very good bench that could have played in other teams, perhaps, but I’m very proud to get here today and we’ve got to be giving ourselves a chance.
“You want to win the trophy but you want to do it the right way and set an example for the younger generation.”
‘Funny things happen under pressure’
Stubbs, leading the side to a championship in his first season as captain, admitted the tension never truly disappeared.
“So stoked, can’t explain it. Don’t know what we did or how we did it. Me and Matty out there, we were calm but probably were panicking too. We know we bat so well together. Kept looking for an over to get momentum,” Stubbs said.
“Came in the 16th over and we ran with it. Funny things happen under pressure. Have really enjoyed this month. Have had a great group to work with. We plan really well for games. It’s a great run management by Aidi (coach Adrian) and the team. And we have a good Orange Army that backs us wherever we go.”
Capitals left to reflect
For the Pretoria Capitals, it was a familiar heartbreak. Having now lost two SA20 finals to the Sunrisers, including the inaugural decider in 2023, captain Keshav Maharaj admitted the defeat would linger.
“It is disappointing to say the least. Two batters were in and got set,” Maharaj said.
“You feel the hurt of coming so close. The starts we get from both bat and ball is something we have to look at.
“Boys will hurt for a bit. I’m not someone who dwells on the negatives. But we have to rectify the mistakes if we have to win trophies as a unit.”
As the sun set behind Table Mountain, the numbers told the story: four finals, three titles, and a team that continues to thrive when the pressure is greatest.
Betway SA20 Season 4 award winners
Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for SA20
- Player of the Season: Quinton de Kock (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- Batter of the Season: Quinton de Kock (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- Bowler of the Season: Ottneil Baartman (Paarl Royals)
- Rising Star: Jordan Hermann (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- ABSA Moneyball Saver: Marco Jansen (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- It’s Raining Sixes: Dewald Brevis (Pretoria Capitals)
- Spirit of Cricket: Sunrisers Eastern Cape
- Groundsman of the Year: Braam Mong (Newlands)