By Tim Douglas 
The Joburg Super Kings (JSK) kept their SA20 Season 2 title hopes alive with a dominant 9-wicket victory over the Paarl Royals in Wednesday’s Eliminator at the Wanderers Stadium. The win propels them into Qualifier 2 against the Durban Super Giants on Thursday, with the winner facing the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Saturday’s final.
Royals Crumble Under Super Kings’ Bowling Onslaught
Despite a valiant effort from captain David Miller (47), the Royals were restricted to a paltry 134/8 thanks to a disciplined bowling performance from JSK. English seamer Sam Cook, on his SA20 debut, impressed with a double-wicket maiden over, removing Jos Buttler (10) and Mitchell van Buuren (13). Spinners Imran Tahir (2-33) and Moeen Ali (1-26) also chipped in with crucial wickets, while Nandre Burger bagged a three-wicket haul.
Du Plooy and Du Plessis Star in Clinical Chase
Leus du Plooy (68) and Faf du Plessis (55*) made light work of the Royals’ total, stitching together a match-winning opening partnership of 117 runs. Du Plooy was the aggressor, smashing a quickfire fifty off just 29 balls, while Du Plessis anchored the innings with a composed half-century. Their dominant display ensured JSK chased down the target with 7 overs to spare.
JSK Skipper Du Plessis Expects Tough Battle Ahead
A jubilant Du Plessis acknowledged the team’s underdog status but expressed confidence in their ability to go all the way. “We feel things are falling into place. From a batting perspective, we’re doing well, allowing the bowlers to do their thing. Confidence is huge in this game,” he said. “We’re excited, but we know it’s tough playing back-to-back games. The guys are hungry, and hopefully, we’ll be fresh and perform well tomorrow.”
Royals Captain Miller Left to Rue Missed Opportunities
A disappointed Miller admitted to the Royals’ shortcomings. “It was a great campaign, but this game has winners and losers. We didn’t score enough runs,” he lamented. “There were key moments where we didn’t capitalize. We controlled most games, but a few overs here and there can swing things. It’s about one or two guys inspiring the others.”
Qualifier 2 Promises a Thrilling Encounter
With the Super Kings finding their form at the right time, Qualifier 2 against the Super Giants promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams boast explosive batting lineups and potent bowling attacks, making it a tough match to predict. The winner will have the momentum heading into the final, setting the stage for an exciting climax to the SA20 Season 2.