The Boland Rocks botched their run chase at the death to suffer a three-run defeat by the Northerns Titans in their T20 Challenge match at St George’s Park on Wednesday.

Needing 159 to win, the Malan brothers – Janneman (45 off 31 balls) and Pieter (19 off 17) – put on 67 for the first wicket in just 7.3 overs.

Michael Copeland (39 off 33) kept the Rocks’ run chase well on track but he was dismissed by Junior Dala with eight balls remaining.

Dala got rid of Ferisco Adams (13 off eight) soon after and Imran Manack was then run out off the first ball of the final over without facing a delivery, with 11 runs still needed.

That left Shaun von Berg (7*) and Siyabonga Mahima (2*) with too much to do.

Ultimately, the Rocks lost three wickets in the last two overs for the addition of just three runs. Dala finished with figures of 3-36.

Earlier, the Titans posted 158-2 thanks to Quinton de Kock’s 72 from 61 balls.

The Proteas batsman helped put on 106 for the first wicket with Gihan Cloete (53 from 41).

Donovan Ferreira, batting at No 3, hit an unbeaten 27 from 17 balls.