Faf du Plessis, South Africa's white-ball specialist, took centre stage at the Wanderers here on Sunday to power the Joburg Super Kings into the SA20 semifinals, hitting a masterful 92 to help his team beat Sunrisers EasterCape by 24 runs.
Du Plessis delivered a masterful T20 inning after scoring the tournament's first century in his previous appearance. The former Proteas captain hit 92 off 61 balls (7x4, 4x6), laying the foundation for the Super Kings' total of 160/6 in 20 overs.
Reeza Hendricks (40 off 36 balls) was also excellent in his supporting role, with the opening partnership yielding 119 in 14.2 overs. The Sunrisers fought back in the second half, taking five wickets and limiting the Super Kings to 41 runs.
The total, however, proved sufficient throughout the day, as the Joburg Super Kings bowling unit delivered a strong overall performance.
In response, Maheesh Theekshana set the ball rolling with the early dismissal of Adam Rossington, before Gerald Coetzee's pace accounted for Jordan Hermann and JJ Smuts.
Temba Bavuma, a new recruit, helped the Sunrisers rebuild their batting order. The Proteas' limited-overs captain timed the ball beautifully in his 50 off 34 balls, but aside from Aiden Markram's 34, he had no worthwhile support.
This was due to Super Kings debutant Kyle Simmons' brilliant spell of left-arm spin bowling, which tore the heart out of the Sunrisers' middle order with figures of 3-23 from four overs. In the end, the Sunrisers Cape Town finished at 136/9 in 20 overs, losing by 24 runs.
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have now finished their league schedule with 19 points. The outcome of Durban's Super Giants' final match against league leaders Pretoria Capitals later on Sunday afternoon at Centurion will determine their semi-final fate.
Brief scores:
Joburg Super Kings 160/6 in 20 overs (Fa du Plessis 92, REeza Hendricks 40; Aiden Markram 2-7, Sisanda Magala 2-24) beat Sunrisers Eastern Cape 136/9 in 20 overs (Temba Bavuma 50, Aiden Markram 34; Kyle Simmonds 3-23, Gerald Coetzee 2-13, Maheesh Theekshana 2-31, Romario Shepherd 2-24)) by 24 runs.