A terrific run-chase and a batting masterclass from the flamboyant former South African captain seal the deal. Until next time, this is me, Rvel Zahid, signing off on behalf of our team at ESPNcricinfo. Goodnight!
Joburg Super Kings won comfortably in the end, bossing the chase thanks to the charismatic work of the aging warrior Faf du Plessis, who put the game to bed with his pyrotechnics. His style of play is such that he often deflates bowlers with his commanding presence. He brought all his vast experience to the fore and du Plooy ensured he supports him and rotated the strike well. It was a brilliant all-round performance from JSK and they've registered a commanding win tonight. Earlier, Sipamla, Ferreira, Tahir, and Viljoen were terrific with their skills and made life tough for the batters, restricting them to 150 that didn't challenge the batters much
Faf du Plessis, Joburg Super Kings Captain and also Player of the Match: We needed that (win), obviously a big game for us to stay in competition, really quality chase. Tricky wicket and pleased with the performance all around. Challenge for me this season is the ability to feel like you still need to put pressure in powerplay and be positive and to just have powerplay of 25 and 30 runs, don't feel that's a great powerplay. It's about putting pressure on opposition to make sure we get through first six...(was) feeling like I'm hitting the ball really well right throughout the competition but just finding ways to get out. Tonight was making sure I'm really clear picking the right bowlers and right areas, right time so I think executing just better tonight in my gameplans. Early wickets would have been made it tough. Mujeeb bowled really well, gameplan perspective, just make sure we get through his four overs. Can be quite stoppy and grippy, glad that the partnership was a deep one
Fortuin, Paarl Royals Captain: Biggest plus is a lot of game time for those who didn't play much. You can't fault batsmen for going out and playing their natural game. At the end of the day, 150 wasn't enough. (momentum) is crucial especially at backend of the tournament. Seen that with Sunrisers over last couple of years. We have got some areas to improve and hopefully we will be able to put up a good performance going into the playoffs. Would have been more enjoyable if we had win (on his captaincy)
END OF OVER:17 | 8 Runs 1 Wkt | JSK: 142/3 (9 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.35, RRR: 3.00)
- Jonny Bairstow1 (1b)
- Leus du Plooy16 (15b)
- Lungi Ngidi3-0-30-1
- Keith Dudgeon3-0-29-1
D Ferreira c Pretorius b Ngidi 10 (8m 7b 1x4 1x6) SR: 142.85
END OF OVER:16 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | JSK: 134/2 (17 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 8.37, RRR: 4.25)
- Donovan Ferreira4 (3b)
- Leus du Plooy15 (14b)
- Keith Dudgeon3-0-29-1
- Bjorn Fortuin4-0-31-0