The Paarl Royals have made their mark in the SA20 league by creating history. Under the leadership of David Miller, the team has advanced to the playoffs, while the Durban Super Giants’ journey came to an end. The Royals completed a flawless league phase at Boland Park, securing five consecutive home wins—an achievement unmatched in the league’s history.
In their final home game of the season, the Royals clinched a thrilling six-wicket victory over the Super Giants, cementing their place at the top of the table with 28 points. The contributions of young stars Luhan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka were instrumental in this success, highlighting the depth of talent in the squad.
Rising Stars Shine for Paarl Royals
Kwena Maphaka delivered a standout performance, registering impressive bowling figures of 2/22. His early breakthroughs restricted the Super Giants to 143/7, setting up a manageable target for the Royals. Maphaka’s ability to bowl key deliveries—such as the one that dismantled Brandon King’s stumps and the slower ball that outfoxed Heinrich Klaasen—proved crucial. Reflecting on his performance, Maphaka said:
“I’ve been eager to contribute more. It’s been a tough few games for me, but I wanted to deliver for the team. I’ve practiced that slower ball since I was 12, and I’m glad it worked perfectly.”
Luhan-dre Pretorius also played a pivotal role, smashing 43 off 29 balls in the chase. With this performance, he reclaimed the top spot on the season’s run-scorer chart and became the first batter to surpass 300 runs in Season 3. Despite losing Joe Root for a golden duck at the start, Pretorius steadied the innings with his aggressive batting.
Rubin Hermann’s Impressive Debut Season
Rubin Hermann continued his stellar debut season with a composed 59 off 51 balls. His innovative approach, especially against spin bowling, stood out as he confidently played sweeps and reverse sweeps to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The chase was sealed in dramatic fashion by allrounder Dayyaan Galiem, who smashed a six with just two balls remaining to secure the win. The Royals’ decision to tweak their bowling attack—bringing back Galiem and Maphaka—paid off handsomely.
A Perfect Record at Home
With this win, the Paarl Royals became the first team in SA20 history to remain unbeaten at home throughout the league phase. Their dominance at Boland Park has been a key factor in their successful campaign. As they head into the playoffs, the Royals are brimming with confidence and momentum.
The Durban Super Giants, on the other hand, have been eliminated from the competition, bringing their campaign to a disappointing end.
