Klaasen’s Blazing knock powers Durban’s Super Giants to 11-run win over Joburg Super Kings

Durban’s Super Giants ended their SA20 Season 3 campaign on a high with an 11-run DLS victory over Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers on Saturday. Heinrich Klaasen played a match-winning knock, ensuring DSG finished their season with a memorable performance.

Klaasen delivered an explosive unbeaten 76 off 47 balls, smashing three fours and six sixes. His innings not only powered DSG to a competitive total of 173/4 but also made him the first batter to surpass 1,000 runs in Betway SA20. He built crucial partnerships along the way, adding 64 runs off 43 balls with Kane Williamson (22 off 20, with two fours and a six) and an unbroken 70-run stand off 43 balls with Wiaan Mulder (30* off 22, with three fours and a six).

Among Joburg Super Kings’ bowlers, Lutho Sipamla delivered a brilliant four-over spell, conceding just 12 runs and dismissing Marcus Stoinis. Hardus Viljoen struggled with his economy but picked up two wickets, giving away 42 runs.

JSK’s chase faced a setback as rain interrupted play at 7:45 pm when they were 31/1 after 3.1 overs. Following a delay, play resumed at 9:00 pm with the revised target set at 147 in 16 overs. However, the home side struggled to gain momentum, with DSG’s leg-spinner Noor Ahmad turning the game in his team’s favor with a brilliant spell of 3/25.

Youngster CJ King was handed his SA20 debut for DSG, and he made an immediate impact by dismissing England’s Moeen Ali. But JSK found a spark in Donovan Ferreira, who played an electrifying knock of 51 off just 22 balls, including two fours and five sixes. He smashed the fastest half-century of SA20 Season 3 in just 21 balls, bringing JSK back into contention by reducing the target to 17 off the final four deliveries.

However, Dwaine Pretorius held his nerve in the final moments, dismissing Ferreira and Sipamla off successive deliveries to secure the win. JSK eventually fell short, finishing at 135/9 in their allotted 16 overs.

Despite the loss, Joburg Super Kings secured a fourth-place finish in the group stage with four wins, five losses, and one no result, accumulating 19 points. They will now face Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the Eliminator at Centurion on Wednesday, February 5, as they continue their playoff journey.