Durban’s Super Giants held off Joburg Super Kings to claim an 11-run victory in a reduced 16-over match at the Wanderers on Saturday evening to get the last win of their SA20 season.
Joburg tried their best to hold Durban to an achievable score, but Heinrich Klaasen had other plans for the Super Kings bowlers, dispatching them all over the ground.
JSK chased 147 runs for their place in the playoffs, but DSG spinner Noor Ahmad (3/25) once again disrupted play with his leg-spin.
Joburg remain in the top four of the SA20 league, with 19 points.
Faf du Plessis’ side won the toss and chose to field first.
Durban openers Matthew Breetzke and Quinton de Kock put on a solid 39-run stand, before the latter was dismissed by Hardus Viljoen for 16.
Breetzke then followed for 23 after being run out by Moeen Ali, and disaster struck for Durban as Marcus Stoinis fell to Lutho Sipamla for a duck, reducing the visitors to 39/3.
New Zealander Kane Williamson and Klaasen put up a fight for Durban, compiling a 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Williamson’s departure for 22, by Hardus Viljoen, put a spanner in the works for Durban, who were hunting a bonus point to save face.
Klaasen then took charge, smashing 76 off 47 balls, including three fours and six sixes.
The unbeaten 70-run partnership between Klaasen and Wiaan Mulder (30 not out off 22 balls, 3x4, 1x6) restored some hope for the DSG innings as they ended on 173/4.
After a rain delay, Joburg’s target was reduced to 147 off 16 overs.
JSK looked to be in trouble after the first Powerplay, carding 37/3 in six overs. At the midway point, they were 68/4 after 10 overs, with Noor Ahmad having claimed the key wickets of Du Plessis (14), Wiaan Lubbe (zero) and Sibonelo Makhanya (13).
The Joburg side needed 79 runs off 36 balls and then 47 in 15, with Donovan Ferreira rattling the Durban bowlers at the crease with 51 not out off 22 balls (2x4, 5x6).
But their challenge ended with Ferreira’s departure off the bowling of Dwaine Pretorius.
Durban captain Keshav Maharaj said: “It’s (a victory) always difficult to come after those losses, but it’s good to see the boys show up after that.
“To see the individual names stand up and perform as a unit was good. I think we needed to be better in the Powerplay.
“I think we were good for the ball. Today, we were a bit better with our character, but kudos to the boys with the ball.”
Joburg skipper Du Plessis said that the break in play caused by the bad weather created a hiccup in their momentum and complemented Ahmad’s bowling.
“There was actually a bit of moisture on the pitch, but I thought he was fantastic. I would say the first 10 overs with the bat... but I felt like we had a nice tempo. In the first 10 overs, I think we should have scored at least 10 more runs,” Du Plessis said.