If Day 1 of SA20 Season 4 was a spark, Day 2 was a full-blown wildfire. Between a historic derby victory and a record-shattering collapse, South African cricket fans were treated to a Saturday of extremes.
Here is everything you need to know about yesterday’s double-header.
The Jukskei Derby: JSK Finally Conquer the Bullring
In the afternoon’s “Jukskei Derby,” the Joburg Super Kings (JSK) finally did something they hadn’t managed in four seasons: they beat the Pretoria Capitals at SuperSport Park.
Batting first, JSK posted a competitive 168/6. The innings was anchored by a gritty 48 from Rilee Rossouw, who provided the stability needed on a pitch that offered more for the bowlers than expected. Tymal Mills (2/17) was the standout for the Capitals, keeping JSK from reaching the 180+ mark many predicted.
The Capitals’ chase started like a house on fire. Openers Will Smeed (34) and Bryce Parsons (41) put on a 71-run stand that made the target look easy. However, the introduction of Duan Jansen changed everything. Jansen produced a career-best T20 performance, ripping through the middle order with 4/23. The Capitals collapsed from a position of strength to finish on 146/9, handing JSK a historic 22-run victory.
The Opinion: Duan Jansen isn’t just “Marco’s brother” anymore. His performance yesterday was a statement of intent, and JSK’s ability to win at Centurion suggests they have finally found the tactical balance to contend for the title.
Night Session: Sunrisers Unleash “The Express” as Royals Hit Rock Bottom
If the afternoon was a competitive scrap, the evening match in Paarl was a demolition. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape didn’t just beat the Paarl Royals; they dismantled them by 137 runs—securing a massive bonus point in the process.
The Sunrisers’ innings was powered by a late-inning blitz from Jordan Hermann, who smashed an unbeaten 62 off just 28 balls*, propelling the visitors to a formidable 186/4.
What followed was a nightmare for the Boland Park faithful. The Royals were skittled for a mere 49 runs—the lowest total in SA20 history. The primary destroyer was Anrich Nortje, returning to the league in terrifying form. “The Uitenhage Express” clocked high speeds and picked up 4/13, leaving the Royals’ batters with nowhere to hide.
SA20 Standings (After Dec 27)
| Team | Played | Points | NRR |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | 1 | 5 | +6.850 |
| Joburg Super Kings | 1 | 4 | +1.100 |
| Durban’s Super Giants | 1 | 4 | +0.750 |
| Pretoria Capitals | 1 | 0 | -1.100 |
| Paarl Royals | 1 | 0 | -6.850 |
Final Word
The Sunrisers have sent a warning shot to the rest of the league, while the Joburg Super Kings have cleared a psychological hurdle by winning in Pretoria. For the Paarl Royals, the only way is up after a record-low performance.