The roar of the Newlands crowd met its match in the thunderous bats of Durban’s Super Giants, who survived a relentless pursuit to clinch a 15-run victory over MI Cape Town on December 26, 2025. This opening clash of the SA20 fourth season wasn’t just a game; it was a 449-run blitzkrieg that pushed the boundaries of T20 entertainment. Over 40 overs of high-stakes cricket, the two sides traded blows in a staggering display of power hitting, collectively clearing the ropes 25 times and finding the fence on 40 occasions.
Super Giants Post a Mammoth Total
After being put in to bat, Durban’s Super Giants displayed a clinical exhibition of power hitting. The foundation of their massive total of 232/5 was laid by the opening pair of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson. Conway was particularly destructive, smashing 64 runs off just 33 deliveries, an innings punctuated by seven boundaries and two towering sixes. Williamson provided the perfect foil with a composed yet aggressive 40 off 25 balls.
The momentum did not stall once the openers departed. Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen both contributed rapid-fire cameos of 22 runs each, maintaining a scoring rate well above 10 runs per over. However, the final flourish came from Aiden Markram, who ensured the Super Giants breached the 230-run mark. Despite the carnage, Rashid Khan and Trent Boult attempted to stem the flow, but the flat Newlands surface offered little assistance to the bowlers.
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Rickelton’s Heroic Century in Vain
MI Cape Town’s pursuit of 233 began with a mix of caution and aggression. While Rassie van der Dussen fell early for just 2, Ryan Rickelton took it upon himself to spearhead the chase. Rickelton played one of the most memorable innings in SA20 history, blasting a maiden century that kept the home crowd on their feet. He finished with a remarkable 113 runs from 65 balls, including 11 massive sixes and five fours.
He found able support in Jason Smith, who played a blistering knock of 41 from only 14 deliveries, striking at a strike rate of nearly 293. The pair took the game deep, making the improbable target seem achievable as the match entered its final stages. Reeza Hendricks also chipped in with 28, but the middle-order lacked the finishing touch required to cross the line.
Bowling Clinicality Decides the Opener
The difference between the two sides ultimately lay in the execution of the death overs. Eathan Bosch emerged as the hero for Durban’s Super Giants, delivering a match-winning spell under immense pressure. Bosch claimed 4 wickets for 46 runs, including the crucial scalp of Rickelton in the final over, which effectively ended MI Cape Town’s hopes.
The young pace sensation Kwena Maphaka also played a vital role, picking up the wicket of Dwaine Pretorius at a critical juncture. The Super Giants’ ability to pick up wickets at regular intervals prevented the home side from establishing the one late-inning partnership needed to steal the win.
A Thrilling Start to Season 4
As the final ball was bowled, MI Cape Town finished on 217/7, falling just 15 runs short of the target. While Rickelton earned the “Suzuki Drive of the Day” for his sensational hundred, the points went to Aiden Markram’s men, who showed why they are perennial contenders in the league. The match set a high standard for the rest of the season, showcasing the evolution of South African franchise cricket and the immense talent on display. For MI Cape Town, the defeat was bittersweet; while their batting firepower was evident, their bowling unit will need to find more discipline as the tournament progresses.
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