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Pretoria Capitals Crush MI Cape Town to Top SA20 Table with Bonus-Point Win

Pretoria Capitals delivered a dominant 53-run victory over MI Cape Town, powered by Sherfane Rutherford's explosive maiden SA20 half-century. The win, secured with a bonus point, propelled them to the top of the SA20 2025-26 points table. Gideon Peters' crucial double-wicket maiden over triggered a dramatic MI Cape Town collapse from 46/2 to 55/6, from which they never recovered. Despite a fighting unbeaten 68 from Reeza Hendricks, MI Cape Town's playoff hopes are now critically slim with only two matches remaining.

Key Points: Pretoria Capitals Top SA20 Table After 53-Run Win Over MI Cape Town

  • Rutherford's 53 off 27 balls
  • Peters' double-wicket maiden over
  • Brevis' sensational outfield catches
  • MI Cape Town's middle-order collapse
  • Hendricks' lone 68* in vain
3 min read

Pretoria Capitals shoot to top of SA20 points table with bonus-point win over MI Cape Town

Pretoria Capitals secure a bonus-point victory over MI Cape Town, propelled by Sherfane Rutherford's 53 and Gideon Peters' 3/32, to lead the SA20 standings.

"The bonus-point victory propelled Pretoria Capitals to 20 points and the top of the SA20 table - SA20 Release"

Centurion, January 13

Pretoria Capitals delivered an inspired all-round performance to send MI Cape Town crashing to a 53-run defeat at Centurion in the ongoing SA20 2025-26 tournament.

The bonus-point victory propelled Pretoria Capitals to 20 points and the top of the SA20 table, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape (19) dropping down to second. MI Cape Town's playoff aspirations are hanging on by the barest of margins with only two matches remaining against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

A sold-out Monday night crowd spurred on the home team with Sherfane Rutherford (53 off 27 balls (3x4, 5x6) lifting the Capitals to 185/6 through his maiden SA20 half-century before Gideon Peters ran through MI Cape Town's middle-order with a double-wicket maiden over that restricted the defending champions to 132/7, according to a release.

Peters (3/32) was assisted by some mind-blowing catching by Dewald Brevis in the outfield. Brevis' first grab saw him running around the boundary before clutching the ball in front of the grass banks before lunging forward in a full-stretch dive to secure a sensational catch just inches from the turf two balls later.

This resulted in MI Cape Town losing four wickets for just 11 runs during a frenetic period that saw the visitors slump from 46/2 to 55/6. The visitors were unable to recover from this collapse, with Reeza Hendricks (68 not out, 50 balls, 4x4, 4x6) playing a lone hand.

MI Cape Town had been in control of the first quarter of the game before Rutherford walked to the crease with the Capitals precariously placed at 89/4 with 7.1 overs remaining in the innings.

When he was dismissed off the final ball, caught a long-on, the West Indies power-hitter had inflicted some serious damage.

MI Cape Town's death bowling and catching went walkabout during this period, with both Rutherford and fellow slugger Brevis being dropped off consecutive Corbin Bosch deliveries.

The swashbuckling pair made the visitors pay dearly with a blazing 69-run partnership off just 34 balls for the fifth wicket.

Brevis' consecutive sixes off MI Cape Town spearhead Kagiso Rabada will long be remembered by the Centurion faithful. The first was a no-look swipe over fine leg before utilising just one hand to smash the next length ball over the cover boundary.

Rutherford, meanwhile, targeted Trent Boult with the New Zealand swing-bowler overpitching three times in one over, which cost him 16 runs due to two maximums and a boundary.

The Capitals took this momentum with them into the field and can now head to their remaining two matches against Paarl Royals at home and Joburg Super Kings away at the Wanderers with confidence.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Anjali F
MI Cape Town's collapse from 46/2 to 55/6 was the turning point. You simply can't lose four wickets for 11 runs in this format and expect to win. Their playoff chances look very slim now. A disappointing performance from a team with so many stars.
K
Karthik V
As an Indian cricket fan, it's great to see such competitive leagues outside the IPL. The quality of cricket in SA20 is really high. Gideon Peters' double-wicket maiden was a masterclass in pressure bowling. Well done, Pretoria!
S
Sarah B
The fielding made all the difference. Dewald Brevis's catches were out of this world. In modern cricket, saving those 10-15 runs in the field is as good as scoring them. MI's dropped catches cost them dearly. A good lesson for all teams.
V
Vikram M
Respectful criticism: The article focuses a lot on the batting fireworks, but the real hero was the bowling attack that applied pressure. Peters and the others created the collapse. Sometimes we glorify the sixes too much and forget the bowlers' role. A complete team performance.
P
Priya S
Reeza Hendricks played a lone warrior innings, 68* in a losing cause. Must be so frustrating for him. MI Cape Town needs to sort out their middle-order batting urgently if they want any chance against Sunrisers. The tournament is getting exciting! 🏏

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