Riding on Heinrich Klaasen’s fighting half-century and a clinical bowling performance, the Durban’s Super Giants kept their winning streak in the SA20 2024 going with a 37-run victory over Joburg Super Kings at Kingsmead on Monday.

Skipper Keshav Maharaj won the toss and decided to field first. The team got off to a rocky start but Klaasen’s 41-ball 61 helped the hosts reach a competitive 145/8 in their 20 overs.

DSG bowlers, led by Keshav Maharaj, never let JSK get the upper hand in the run chase and restricted the visitors to 108/9. With JSK's score falling below 80% of DSG's total, the home team not only secured the victory but also earned a valuable bonus point, taking their tally to 13 points after three wins out of three.

Klaasen rebuilds after tough start

Opener Matthew Breetzke looked good while he lasted but had to walk off after Romario Shepherd plucked a one-handed screamer near square leg in the fourth over. Quinton de Kock, JJ Smuts and Wiaan Mulder also found it tough on the pitch offering spin and variable bounce and were dismissed early.

The Super Giants were struggling at 34/4 in 6.1 overs but Heinrich Klaasen stayed patient and ensured his stay till the final over to help his team reach a fighting total at the end.

Along with Keemo Paul, Klaasen steadied the ship with a 39-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Paul was caught at deep midwicket while going for maximum in the 12th over. 

DSG were 98/5 after 15 overs. Nicholas Pooran and Klaasen, two of the most destructive batsmen at SA20 2024, tried to maximize the final five overs. Pooran struck back-to-back boundaries off David Wiese in the 16th over but found an outside edge off Lizaad Williams in the next over and was dismissed for 15.

DSG reached 114/6 with three overs to go. Klaasen brought up his fifth SA20 fifty with a boundary in the 18th over and his presence till the penultimate ball of the innings took DSG to a fighting total of 145. Klaasen’s 64 off 41 balls included seven boundaries and two maximums.

Maharaj and Co. rein in Super Kings

DSG needed wickets upfront to keep Joburg Super Kings in check. While that did not happen as JSK captain Faf du Plessis and his opening partner Reeza Hendricks posted 32 in five overs without losing their wickets, Keshav Maharaj’s entry in the final over of the powerplay changed the complexion of the game.

Maharaj castled his opposite number in his first over and Ronan Herrmann in his second over. Dwaine Pretorius also kept it tight from the other end and got the wicket of Leus du Plooy.

From 32/0 in five overs, JSK faced setbacks and were reduced to 49/3 in 10 overs. 

Maharaj completed his quota of four overs in the 12th over, with his bowling figures reading 17/2. Richard Gleeson, JJ Smuts and Richard Gleeson carried forward the good work by picking up timely wickets and forcing the required rate to escalate with every over. 

JSK were 81/6 in 17 overs, needing 65 off the final 18 balls. Moeen Ali struck three sixes in his 26-ball 36 but DSG eventually won the contest by 37 runs.

What next for the Super Giants?

DSG will be up against Pretoria Capitals at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion on Thursday. 

While DSG are unbeaten so far, Pretoria Capitals, the finalists at the last edition, are winless after two games.

Brief Scores: Durban’s Super Giants 145/8 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 61; Lizaad Williams 4/26) beat Joburg Super Kings 108/9 in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 38; Reece Topley 3/19) by 37 runs.