The Boland Rocks suffered a three-run defeat by the Free State Knights at St George’s Park despite losing just two wickets during their run chase.
Needing 165 to win, the Rocks fell just short despite captain Pieter Malan’s 60* off 51 balls and Christiaan Jonker’s unbeaten 17 off 13 as Alfred Mothoa defended 11 runs off the final over.
Janneman Malan (33 off 25) and Clyde Fortuin (46 off 31) also made significant contributions with the bat, yet it was the bottom-placed Knights who celebrated just their second win of a disappointing campaign.
Earlier, opener Christoffel Klijnhans top-scored for the Free Staters with 52 off 47, with No 3 batsman Raynard van Tonder making 38 off 33.
The Knights ended on 164-6, with Rocks fast bowler Ziyaad Abrahams (5-34) picking up his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket.
