By Tim Douglas 
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape continued their impressive form in the SA20, registering their third consecutive bonus point victory with a commanding 52-run win over the Pretoria Capitals at St George’s Park on Wednesday evening. Backed by the roaring support of the Orange Army, the defending champions showcased resilience and class to remain in third place on the points table with 15 points, while the Capitals stayed fifth with nine points.
Sunrisers’ Innings: Markram Leads the Charge
Winning the toss, the Sunrisers had a rocky start as the Pretoria Capitals unleashed an early pace assault. Eathan Bosch (3/33) and Australian newcomer Jason Behrendorff wreaked havoc, reducing the Sunrisers to a precarious 53/5. Bosch’s stellar performance saw him surpass Wayne Parnell to become the Capitals’ leading wicket-taker with 26 scalps.
Amidst the collapse, Aiden Markram stepped up with a captain’s knock, steering his side to a competitive total. His unbeaten 68 off 55 balls held the innings together, supported by crucial lower-order contributions from Marco Jansen (24 off 24) and Liam Dawson (25 off 11). The duo injected much-needed momentum, taking the Sunrisers to 149/7.
Markram acknowledged the challenge, stating, “The new ball was doing a lot, and it wasn’t easy out there. But the lower-order contributions were pivotal, allowing me to settle and build the innings. Credit to the fans for their unwavering support in tricky conditions.”
Capitals’ Chase: Jansen and Dawson Shine
Defending a modest total, the Sunrisers relied on their bowlers to deliver – and they did. Marco Jansen, fast emerging as a contender for Betway SA20 Season 3 MVP, delivered a fiery opening spell, dismantling the Capitals’ top order with figures of 3/7. Supported by Richard Gleeson (1/22), Jansen left the Capitals reeling at 28/4.
Despite a spirited 28 from debutant Keagan Lion-Cachet and 25 from Marques Ackerman, the Capitals struggled to recover. Dawson (3/17) ended their resistance, taking two quick wickets to wrap up the innings at 97, sealing a bonus point win for the hosts.
Post-Match Reactions
Aiden Markram (Sunrisers Captain):
“It was a tricky pitch, but I’m proud of the team’s fightback. Marco Jansen and Liam Dawson were exceptional, both with the bat and ball.”
Rilee Rossouw (Capitals Captain):
“We bowled well to restrict them, but our batting let us down. The playoffs are still in reach; we need to focus on executing our plans better.”
Key Performers
- Aiden Markram (Sunrisers): 68* (55 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes)
- Marco Jansen (Sunrisers): 3/7 and 24 (24 balls, 1 four, 1 six)
- Liam Dawson (Sunrisers): 3/17 and 25 (11 balls, 3 fours, 1 six)
- Eathan Bosch (Capitals): 3/33