Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals Match Highlights & Results

So after a commanding victory, the Pretoria Capitals have advanced into the Grand Finale of the SA20 2025-26. It marks their second appearance in the final, and they will be hoping that this time, the ultimate glory comes their way. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape aren't out of the hunt just yet. Thanks to their top two finish, they’ve earned a vital safety net, a second chance at the final via Qualifier 2. They now await the survivor of a high-stakes Eliminator between the Paarl Royals and the Joburg Super Kings. It will be played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday, 22nd January, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 9 pm IST (3.30 pm GMT). The loser of that clash will be knocked out. Should be a spicy contest. Join us an hour early for all the pre-match buzz and buildup. Until then, goodbye, cheers!

Pretoria Capitals' BRYCE PARSONS is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round contribution. He smashed a quickfire 60 off 44 in the run chase and was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/10 in 3 overs. He says it feels really good to deliver on a day like this. He admits it means a lot, especially after working hard in the nets and spending time in and out of the side, where the focus is always on staying ready when the opportunity comes. Parsons points to his familiarity with the conditions, saying he has played a lot of cricket at this venue and enjoys coming home to bat on a wicket he is comfortable with. He feels he understands what the surface offers and credits the clarity in the batting approach. Watching Dewald Brevis, he notes, makes batting look simple, with the focus on minimising dot balls, and he adds that they knew scoring nine or ten an over is achievable if they stayed at the crease. He reiterates that he has always viewed himself as an all rounder and that the circumstances opened the door for him to contribute with the ball as well. Parsons mentions that if Lungi Ngidi had not picked up an injury, he would not have bowled, before adding with a smile that he is hoping to roll his arm over again in the final.

The victorious captain of Pretoria Capitals, Keshav Maharaj, calls it a very clinical performance, particularly with the bat on a tricky surface. Feels the key lies in executing the basics well. Admits that they started slowly with the bat, but they found their way back into the contest and finished strongly. Maharaj reserves special praise for Bryce Parsons, calling him excellent with the ball and adding that the team always knows what kind of impact he can have with the bat if he spends time at the crease. He explains that the decision to bring Bryce into the attack was instinctive, and once he saw him find his rhythm in the first over, he was happy to give him a longer spell. On Lungi Ngidi, Maharaj confirms there is no major concern but stresses that he does not want to take any risks with a crucial bowler at such an important stage of the tournament. He also highlights the clarity within the group, crediting the quality of information shared behind the scenes. Maharaj feels the belief in the squad is always there, and to see the players deliver under pressure in a high-stakes Qualifier is exactly what the Capitals had hoped for.

The captain of Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Tristan Stubbs, reflects on the defeat. He says they started well with the bat but lost momentum thereafter. He credits Bryce and Dewald for batting well. Admits that they couldn't pick wickets regularly in their defence. He notes that on this ground, once set, batters can really take on the opposition. He adds that despite trying everything to take wickets, the opposition always had a counter. Stubbs says there is no need for extra motivation with a place in the final on the line and assures that the side will be up and ready for Qualifier 2.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

A late surge in the final overs lifted Sunrisers to a modest yet defendable total, especially under the added pressure of the Qualifier. After a slow middle-over phase, they finally found something to bowl at. Bairstow and Hermann laid a solid foundation, adding 81 quick runs together. Though a brief collapse threatened to derail the innings towards the end as their middle order was blown away. However, Coles’ blazing cameo of 17 off just four deliveries added crucial respectability to the total. Parsons led the bowling attack with a brilliant 3-for, while Maharaj was as sharp and clinical as ever, finishing with figures of 2/24.

It would be unfair not to give a special mention to Bryce Parsons. He enjoyed a hugely productive day at the office, making decisive contributions with both bat and ball. First, he tightened the noose on the Sunrisers with a superb spell of 3 for 10 from his three overs, claiming key wickets in Hermann and Breetzke. Then, with the bat, he turned up the heat on the SEC bowlers. Once he found his rhythm, Parsons struck the ball cleanly and effortlessly, taking the game away with authority.

That reset came in the most assured manner. Dewald Brevis joined Bryce Parsons and the duo stitched together a match-winning partnership of 91 runs. The duo came together at a critical juncture, weathered the middle overs with composure, showed patience against the tougher bowlers, and paced the chase superbly by choosing the right moments to attack. Going stroke for stroke and shot for shot, both Parsons and Brevis brought up commanding half centuries to finally book the Capitals a place in the final. The Sunrisers bowlers were left shell-shocked by the relentless assault from the pair. Even the usually reliable Jansen and Nortje were unable to land the decisive blows when it mattered most. A few nervous moments in the field and a handful of misfields only added to the pressure, pushing the contest firmly in the Capitals’ favour.

The Capitals had a shaky beginning, losing Shai Hope early. This was never the kind of pitch that allowed free-flowing strokeplay from the outset. It demanded restraint and smart shot selection. Bryce Parsons and Connor Esterhuizen steadied the innings with a watchful partnership, picking their moments to accelerate while respecting the better deliveries. Just when the stand looked set to blossom, Chris Green struck, leaving the Capitals needing another rebuild at 61 for 2.

They made a stroll of this chase, quite literally. It’s easy to be deceived by how comfortably Brevis played in challenging conditions. Talk about the rebuild of this Pretoria Capitals setup. After missing the playoffs in the last two seasons following their dream run in the inaugural edition, they have finally rebuilt their way into the Grand Finale of the SA20 League 2025-26. The path, though, was far from smooth. Three losses in their first five games left them stuck near the bottom of the table, but a stunning turnaround followed. The Capitals rediscovered their spark and surged back with five wins in their next six, including this game.

Lewis Gregory to Dewald Brevis, Six!SIX! That's it, Dewald Brevis hammers the last nail in the coffin! This is short of a length, just outside off. Dewald Brevis hangs back on his back foot and pulls it flat and over square leg for six more to seal the finale spot for his side. Pretoria Capitals beat Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 7 wickets, and 9 balls to spare!

Lewis Gregory to Dewald Brevis, Six!SIX! Brevis is in a hurry to finish things off! Full toss, around the fifth stump. Dewald Brevis smashes it right from the middle of his willow over cow corner for half a dozen.

Lewis Gregory to Dewald Brevis, Wide!WIDE! Full and wayward outside off, beyond the tramline. Brevis leaves it alone and accepts the bonus run.

Lewis Gregory to Dewald Brevis, Six!SIX! BOOMBASTIC! Lewis Gregory aims for the yorker. Brevis converts it into a juicy full toss and launches it cleanly over the bowler's end for a cracking six!

Last two overs coming up. Pretoria need 18 runs. Brevis and Rutherford at the crease. Looks like just a case of a couple of big hits. Lewis Gregory (3-0-23-1) to bowl out.

Anrich Nortje to Sherfane Rutherford, No run.Pitches it up, on off, Rutherford pushes it to cover for no runs.

Anrich Nortje to Sherfane Rutherford, Wide!WIDE! Fuller and sprays it down the leg side. Rutherford misses the flick shot.

This seems a little too late for the Sunrisers. No respite for the bowlers, as Sherfane Rutherford walks in at number 5. The Capitals need 19 runs from 13 balls.

Anrich Nortje to Bryce Parsons, OUT! b Anrich Nortje.OUT! BOWLED'EM! This wicket will give some hope to the Sunrisers. Nortje sees the batter shuffling wide across the stump. Therefore, he pitches it much fuller and on leg. Parsons looks for a big flick shot over the deep backward square leg, but misses. It creates a large gap between bat and pad and the ball sneaks through to smash into the leg stump. Bryce Parsons walks to the dugout and gets a well-deserved applause from his teammates. 60 off 44 for Parsons, who had a fantastic outing, both with bat and ball. Pretoria Capitals need 19 runs off 13 balls.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Full, on off, Brevis tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, No run.Much better from Nortje! Slower and fuller, nipping it a bit away. Brevis looks to drive it away but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, No run.Yorker, on off, Brevis digs it back to the bowler.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, Four!FOUR! PUNISHED WITH CLASS! Back of a length, around the seventh stump. Dewald Brevis accepts the width and swings his arm to slap it over extra cover for the boundary.

Marco Jansen to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Full, on middle, Brevis drives it to long on for a single. Pretoria Capitals need 24 runs off 18 balls!

Marco Jansen to Dewald Brevis, Six!SIX! FIFTY FOR BREVIS! He has discovered his form just at the right time in the season. Short of a length, with pace this time from Jansen, on middle and off. Brevis gets on his back foot, swivels and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen. That biggie would make back-to-back half-centuries for Brevis.

Marco Jansen to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Slower bouncer, outside off, Parsons judges the change of pace and pulls it down to deep square for a single.

Marco Jansen to Bryce Parsons, 2 Leg byes.Pitches it up, does Jansen, angling down the leg side. Parsons makes room to the leg side and looks to flick it but misses and hits the pad. The ball rolls toward the vacant square leg region and the batters hustle hard to get two leg byes.

Marco Jansen to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Much fuller, just behind the yorker length, on off, Brevis jams it to long off for a single.

Marco Jansen to Dewald Brevis, No run.Fullish, on off, Brevis drives it to cover.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The game is slipping away at an alarming rate from SEC's reach. This has been an excellent partnership between Parsons and Brevis, which is worth 79 runs off just 49 balls. These two have brilliantly paced the chase through the middle overs, and haven't played any risky shots. Maybe one, or two? But barring those, they have timed the ball cleanly. The Sunrisers cannot win this without breaking this partnership. They need wickets in clusters, and need it right now before it is too late. Marco Jansen (3-0-24-0) is back on. Can the Orange Army turn things around from here? The task is massive, though.

Chris Green to Bryce Parsons, Six!SIX! Hot knife through butter! Flat and fuller, on the stumps. Parsons lunges toward the leg side of the delivery and tonks it with the full face of the bat over the long on fence for half a dozen.

Chris Green to Bryce Parsons, Four!FOUR! In the air... dropped safely! FIFTY COMES UP FOR PARSON. Fuller, on middle, Parson shimmies down the track and lofts it downtown. The ball flies and drops just between the long off and the long on fielders, converging, but fails to get there in time. The ball bounces before going past the fence. What a knock this has been for the 24-year-old. This is his MAIDEN SA20 HALF CENTURY!

Chris Green to Bryce Parsons, No run.A touch fuller, wide outside off, Bryce Parsons pushes it to cover for no runs.

Chris Green to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Short, around off, Brevis cuts it to deep cover for a single.

Chris Green to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Much fuller, outside off, Bryce Parsons reverse sweeps it pretty well to short third, but Anrich Nortje does really well to dive to the right and stop it. Single taken.

Chris Green to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Fuller, on leg, Dewald Brevis flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Right. Last 5 overs coming up. Chris Green is brought back upon. 2-0-18-1 so far. He replaces Anrich Nortje.

Marco Jansen to Bryce Parsons, No run.Well bowled! A pinpoint yorker, just outside off, Bryce Parsons tries to dig it out to the off side, but fails to lat bat on ball. Pretoria Capitals need 48 runs from 30 balls!

Marco Jansen to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Around off, on a length, slapped to backward point. The fielder fumbles and parries the ball behind, allowing a single.

Marco Jansen to Dewald Brevis, Four!FOUR! Beats the two fielders and races away! Hard length, outside off, Dewald Brevis stands tall and opens the bat face at the last second, guiding the ball behind square on the off side. The ball first beats backward point's dive to his left, and then the short third fielder dives to his ride but the ball evades him as well.

Marco Jansen to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.A full toss on the pads, this is whipped to deep square leg for a single.

Marco Jansen to Bryce Parsons, No run.Nails the yorker in, on off, Bryce squeezes it back to the bowler.

Marco Jansen to Bryce Parsons, No run.Nice and full, on off, nipping back in. Bryce blocks it straight back to the bowler. 54 needed off 35!

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, No run.Not a wide! This one takes off from the runway like a flight, short and on middle. Brevis is happy to duck under it. There is an umpire's review to check for a wide, but it is deemed a fair delivery. Not sure why, as the Ball Tracking showed it to be passing above the head height.

Anrich Nortje to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Short outside off, Parsons drags it across and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Bryce Parsons, Four!FOUR! Glorious written all over it! Just around off, on a fullish length, Parsons makes room by staying leg side and drives it neatly along the ground and in the mid off and cover gap for a boundary. Geez, that just pinged off his willow. This is slipping rather quickly from SEC's grasp now.

Anrich Nortje to Bryce Parsons, 2 runs.On a fractionally fuller length, on middle and leg. Parsons chips it over mid on. The ball slows in the outfield and Jansen hunts it down from the inner ring. Two taken. This brings up the 50-run stand between these two!

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Hard length, around off, Brevis gets on the toes and knocks it to deep cover for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Length ball, this is pulled through square leg for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, No run.Skiddy delivery, touch full, on middle. Brevis is rushed on the back foot and manages to stab it back to the bowler.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, Six!SIX! DISMISSED! Senuran drops it full and in the slot. Dewald Brevis shimmies down the track. Doesn't quite get whole of it, but still, manages to sail it over long on for a six. 4-0-31-0 for Muthusamy.

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Full, on off and middle, this is tucked through mid-wicket for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Excellent effort by Green in the deep! Touch short, drifting into the body. Brevis mistimes the pull shot in the air to the left of deep mid-wicket. Chris Green sprints and dives to his left, stretches his left hand out as the ball half volleys him. One taken.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, 2 runs.Dropped short and outside off, Dewald Brevis hangs back and slaps it to the left of the diving cover fielder. The sweeper mops it up in the deep to his right. Two taken. 100 UP FOR PRETORIA CAPITALS!

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.In-dipping full ball, on leg, Bryce sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Lewis Gregory to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Short and outside off, Parsons rides the bounce and steers it past cover-point for an easy single. A productive over for the Capitals. 12 from it. 20 off the last two.

Lewis Gregory to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Much full and around off, Brevis laces it down to long off for a single.

Lewis Gregory to Dewald Brevis, 2 runs.Fantastic running! Slower delivery, full and on middle, Brevis flicks it with soft hands through mid on and calls for two straightaway. The long on fielder charges in from the deep, but is a bit slow to prevent the second.

Lewis Gregory to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Back of a length, outside off, Parsons slaps it off the back foot to extra cover. The fielder dives to his left and half stops it. Jordan Hermann from deep cover runs in off the ropes and mops it up. Just a single.

Lewis Gregory to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.On a length, outside off, tucked away through cover for a single.

Lewis Gregory to Dewald Brevis, Six!SIX! THAT IS HUGE! Off cutter from Lewis, full and around off. Dewald Brevis gets the ball right into the slot and smokes it downtown for a cracking six. Lovely swing of the bat. That's a no-look hit by Dewald.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Touch full, stump-to-stump, Dewald advances down the track and works it to long on for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, No run.Nicely flighted, full and around off, spinning away. Brevis gets on the front foot to block, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball rolls to short third.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, No run.Short, into the batter, Dewald Brevis backs away and knocks it back to the bowler.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, Four!FOUR! Loose and punished! A bit too straight, down leg, full in length. Dewald Brevis sits down on a knee and sweeps it using his wrists. The ball races away to the long leg fence.

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Full and on leg, Bryce shimmies ahead and eases it through mid on for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 2 runs.Flat and full, Bryce charges down the track and tickles it to deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

Halfway through the chase. Pretoria Capitals are 77/2. At the same stage, Sunrisers Eastern Cape were 84/1.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, Six!SIX! Brevis connects it this time and connects it pretty well. Another bouncer, just outside off, Brevis gets on his toes and upper cuts it well over the short third fielder for a biggie.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, No run.Swing and a miss! Bumper, just outside off, Brevis gets on his toes and arches back once again, and looks to upper cut this time, but misses the connection.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, No run.Nortje bends his back and offers a bouncer, around the sixth stump. Brevis arches back and offers no shot at it.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, No run.On a length, on off, Brevis eases it to point.

Anrich Nortje to Dewald Brevis, Four!FOUR! That has been belted away! Back of a length, wide outside off. Brevis slaps hard at it through cover-point for the boundary.

Anrich Nortje to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.On a length, around the pads of the batter, flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The Sunrisers have managed to claw their way back in the contest, conceding just 20 runs in the last three overs. At this point in the innings, SEC were 73/1, suggesting the margin between the two teams remains slim. The primary difference is the Capitals’ additional wicket loss. It is crucial for this pair to settle in and bat through. A quick double-strike would hand full control to the Sunrisers. Given the tricky nature of the pitch, new batters will struggle to find their timing immediately. Anrich Nortje (1-0-7-0) returns into the attack after the break. He replaces Chris Green.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, No run.Fuller, on off, Bravis defends it to the left of the bowler. Another neat over from Senuran Muthusamy!

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Pitches it up, does Senuran, fuller, on middle, Bryce Parsons lunges and nudges it from his front foot to wide mid on for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Short, on off, Brevis chops it to deep point for one.

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Fuller, on off, Parsons drives it to cover for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Short, on off, Brevis drags it to long on for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Short, on middle, Parsons flicks it to wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Chris Green to Dewald Brevis, No run.Short, on middle, Dewald Brevis defends it down.

An important wicket for the Sunrisers. In walks Dewald Brevis at number 4. Remember, the Capitals were 7/5 against JSK, but he allied with Sherfane Rutherford and launched a sensational counterattack to get his side to a respectable total.

Chris Green to Connor Esterhuizen, OUT! b Chris Green.OUT! GOT'EM! Chris Green gets the crucial breakthrough before it turned out to be dangerous for Sunrisers Eastern Cape. This is a carrom ball from Green, pitches it fuller and on middle, luring the batter to hit it. Connor Esterhuizen falls into the trap as he looks to slog it away, but the ball spins in and just crashes into the leg stump to knock the bails off. Pretoria Capitals are 61 for 2 and Connor Esterhuizen departs, scoring 22 off 19.

Chris Green to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Short, on middle, Parsons tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Chris Green to Bryce Parsons, Six!SIX! Exceptional strike this, from Parsons! This is flat and short, on middle. Bryce Parsons shimmies down the track and makes it a half-volley and golfs it toward the black sight screen downtown for six more runs.

Chris Green to Connor Esterhuizen, 1 run.A touch shorter, on middle, Connor Esterhuizen tucks it through square leg. Two is the call from Connor, but ends up getting the single as the fielder at the deep does well to charge on the ball.

Chris Green to Connor Esterhuizen, No run.Pitches it up, does Green, on middle, turning it in. Connor flicks it straight to the mid-wicket fielder.

Senuran Muthusamy to Connor Esterhuizen, 1 run.Full, on off, Connor drives it through cover for another single. 7 runs off the first over of Senuran Muthusamy!

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Fuller, on leg, Parsons flicks it through square leg for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 2 runs.Full, outside off, Parsons drives it toward the right of the long off fielder and gets a brace. 50 up for Pretoria Capitals!

Senuran Muthusamy to Connor Esterhuizen, 1 run.Full, on off, Connor Esterhuizen pushes it to long off for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Bryce Parsons, 1 run.Pitches it up, does Senuran, on off. Bryce lunges and rolls his wirsts to deep square leg for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Connor Esterhuizen, 1 run.Fuller, on middle, Connor, with no footwork, pushes it to long on for a single.

That's the end of the Powerplay! Pretoria Capitals are 46/1. At the same stage, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape were 49/1. So not much separates the two sides. It is Senuran Muthusamy's time to roll his arm. He replaces Anrich Nortje.

Chris Green to Connor Esterhuizen, 1 run.Fuller, around off, Connor Esterhuizen lunges and drives it into the gap between mid off and extra cover, but this time it's Jonny Bairstow who rolls to his right to make a stop. Single taken.

Chris Green to Connor Esterhuizen, Six!SIX! BANG! Flat and fuller, on middle, angling in. Connor Esterhuizen sits down on one knee and slog sweeps it over the deep square leg fence for a huge six.

Chris Green to Connor Esterhuizen, No run.That's an excellent stop by the skipper! Short, on off, Connor rocks back and slaps it toward wide mid off. Tristan Stubbs tumbles to his left and fields it well. No runs taken.

Chris Green to Connor Esterhuizen, 2 runs.Short, turning it down the leg side, Connor makes room and heaves it to the left of the deep square leg fielder for a brace.

Chris Green to Connor Esterhuizen, No run.Pitches it up, does Green, slower through the air, on off. Connor lunges and looks to flick but plays his shot a bit early. The ball rolls back to the bowler.