A scrambled final-ball single helped the Northerns Titans steal a thrilling win over the log-leading Central Gauteng Lions.
Wins for the KZN Dolphins and Western Province on Friday also ensured the race for the T20 Challenge playoffs will go down to the wire.
The EP Warriors, who were the standout team for most of the competition, blew their chance of moving back to the top of the table when they suffered a third straight loss – this time against the North West Dragons.
But the big result of the evening came in Centurion where the hosts claimed a two-wicket victory.
In a tight affair, the Titans won the toss, bowled first and restricted the Lions to 154-8 thanks in the main to David Wiese (1-22), Lungi Ngidi (2-26) and Dayyaan Galiem (1-20).
Reeza Hendricks (48) top-scored for the visitors, who also had contributions from Temba Bavuma (21), Delano Potgieter (21) and Wiaan Mulder (25).
The Titans made a bright start to the chase after openers Rivaldo Moonsamy (24) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (29) put on 49 in 5.5 overs, but they then lost their way when Codi Yusuf (1-25), Evan Jones (2-33), Mulder (1-24) and impressive rookie Nqaba Peter (2-29) all struck.
That left the defending champions heading for defeat at 135-8 with two overs to go.
However, Corbin Bosch (19*) and Lungi Ngidi (two not out) managed to get the 20 required, including the former stealing a bye from the last ball to take the hosts to a priceless win, one that helped them cling on to fourth place on the table.
Western Province remained hot on their heels in the playoff race after they crushed the Boland Rocks by 63 runs in Paarl.
Kyle Verreynne (77* off 42 balls; five fours, five sixes) starred with the bat for the visitors as they posted 173-4 after winning the toss and batting.
Beuran Hendricks (3-18) and Onke Nyaku (3-27) then grabbed three wickets apiece to blow Boland away for 110 in 17.4 overs.
The KZN Dolphins kept their chances of a home semi-final alive by thumping the KZN Inland Tuskers by eight wickets at Kingsmead, thanks to seven wickets shared between Okuhle Cele and Andile Simelane.
The former was outstanding on his way to a wonderful career-best return of 4-13 in 3.3 overs, while the latter produced figures of 4-1-21-3 – the pair skittling their rivals from Pietermaritzburg for just 108 in 18.3 overs.
Jon-Jon Smuts (49*) and Grant Roelofsen (23) then did the bulk of the scoring to help the Dolphins chase down the target with 5.5 overs to spare.
In Potchefstroom, a strong all-round performance from the Dragons helped them overcome the Warriors by six wickets.
Batting first after losing the toss, the visitors were kept to 145-7 with two wickets each by Gideon Peters (2-28) and Kerwin Mungroo (2-29).
Matthew Breetzke (45) top-scored for the Warriors, before Meeka-Eel Prince (22), Raynard van Tonder (31) and Wihan Lubbe (39*) all played key hands in the chase as the hosts won with nine balls to spare.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
