The inaugural evening of SA20 2025 showcased an impressive display by MI Cape Town, who decisively defeated the two-time and reigning champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, by 97 runs, securing a bonus-point victory in Gqeberha. While several players contributed to MICT’s commanding triumph, none stood out more than Delano Potgieter, who achieved remarkable bowling figures of 5 for 10, leading to the dismissal of the defending champions for a mere 77 runs. This exceptional bowling performance was complemented by a vital 12-ball innings of 25*, which propelled MICT to a formidable total of 174 on a challenging pitch.
Dewald Brewis shines as MI Cape Town sets up a decent target
MICT was invited to bat first and lost Reeza Hendricks on the fourth delivery of the match. By the conclusion of the PowerPlay, they had managed to reach 36 for 2, which soon deteriorated to 42 for 3 as Richard Gleeson and Liam Dawson took wickets in rapid succession. It was at this juncture that Dewald Brevis initiated a recovery, forming a 67-run partnership with the experienced Colin Ingram. The 39-year-old played a supporting role while the young Brevis executed an impressive counterattack, hitting six sixes in his brisk 29-ball innings of 57.
Following the conclusion of that partnership, MICT suffered a couple of quick dismissals; however, Potgieter stepped in to deliver a vital contribution at the end, partnering with George Linde (23*). Together, they added 42 runs in a mere 21 balls, significantly bolstering the team’s total.
MI Cape Town ended their innings at a total score of 174 at a loss of 4 wickets, highest scorer being Dewald brevis who scored 57 runs of just 29 balls, followed by Delano Potgieter and Colin Ingram.
Delano Potgieter's five wicket hauls bowls out Sunrisers Eastern Cape at a mere score of 77 runs
The Sunrisers’ pursuit began on unstable ground as Trent Boult, a specialist in PowerPlay, achieved a double-wicket maiden in only his second over for the team, dismissing the English duo of Zak Crawley and Tom Abell. Following this, Azmatullah Omarzai removed Jordan Hermann just two deliveries later, leaving the defending champions struggling at 16 for 3 on a pitch that was both lively and challenging for the batters.
Potgieter was brought into the bowling attack only in the latter half of the innings, by which point the Sunrisers’ chase was faltering at 49 for 4 after 10 overs. He struck with a yorker to dismiss Beyers Swanepoel on his very first delivery and subsequently claimed the wickets of South African internationals David Bedingham and Aiden Markram in a single, eventful over. He continued his impressive performance by taking the wicket of Liam Dawson and concluded the match by bowling out Gleeson with his 18th delivery, resulting in the Sunrisers capitulating with a full five overs remaining.
“Everyone’s got different plans, for different venues and all of that,” Potgieter said. “We have an amazing bowling line-up: KG [Rabada], Trent [Boult], Boschy [Corbin Bosch], with the spinners George [Linde] and Rash [Rashid]. They bowl the bulk of the overs. So there was no need for me to bowl. And, yeah, the captain threw me the ball tonight and I was extremely happy about it, and it turned out perfectly.” said Potgieter after the match.
SCORECARD: MI Cape Town 174/7 in 20 overs (Dewald Brevis 57, Delano Potgieter 25*; Richard Gleeson 2-22) beat Sunrisers Eastern Cape 77 in 15 overs (Delano Potgieter 5-10, Trent Boult 2-16) by 97 runs.
