Marco Jansen and Siya Simetu helped the EP Warriors beat the Northerns Titans by two runs in Centurion on Wednesday to remain top of the T20 Challenge log.
Coming in to bowl with the hosts running away in a big 186-run chase, 32-year-old spinner Simetu claimed three wickets for a miserly 20 runs to ensure the locals ended on 183-7.
This despite Dewald Brevis’ 50 off 29 balls (five fours, three sixes) and Rivaldo Moonsamy hitting 34 to put the Titans on course for victory.
At one stage they were seemingly coasting at 121-3 after 13 overs, needing just over 50 in seven overs when Heinrich Klaasen was cleaned up by fellow Protea Jansen (1-49) to begin the slide.
Dayyaan Galiem (32) and Proteas T20I captain Aiden Markram (25) were removed by Simetu to jolt the chase further, and Corbin Bosch (seven) was bowled by the seasoned spinner to leave the hosts limping at the end as they ended just short.
Patrick Kruger also picked up two important wickets at the end, finishing with 2-22.
Jansen (56* off 34 balls, four fours, four sixes) and Jiveshan Pillay (50 off 37 balls, five fours, two sixes) had earlier top-scored for the Warriors with the bat to ensure they posted 185-5.
The result, against a Titans side who were also previously unbeaten, ensured the visitors maintained their 100% start to the competition as they stayed top with three wins from three.
Alongside them in pole position are Western Province, who edged the North West Dragons by four runs in Cape Town.
Jonathan Bird and Kyle Verreynne both hit 42 to propel the home side to 188-7 after they were put in to bat first at Newlands.
Recently-capped Proteas Test all-rounder Ruan de Swardt was the pick of the bowlers with 3-23.
Rubin Hermann’s 90 off 54 balls (nine fours, four sixes) had then put the Dragons on the victory path.
Supported by Raynard van Tonder (34) and Wihan Lubbe (20), the visitors were cruising on 167-3, needing 21 from the last two overs, before Beuran Hendricks (2-28) struck a double blow that saw them finish short on 184-6.
At Kingsmead in Durban, the KZN Dolphins ended their winless start to the season and inflicted a first loss on the previously unbeaten Central Gauteng Lions thanks to four-wicket, final-over win.
Batting first after losing the toss, Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma hit 53* off 40 balls (three fours, two sixes) to lift his side to 155-5, with Okuhle Cele taking 2-21 and Ottniel Baartman 4-25.
The hosts lost wickets throughout the chase but opener Bryce Parsons (62* off 49 balls, four fours, three sixes) proved to be the glue, and with help mainly from Jason Smith (32), ensured they got over the line with five balls to spare.
Delano Potgieter (3-25) was the best of the Lions bowlers.
The T20 Challenge continues on Friday, with all eight teams in action.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
