Sunrisers Eastern Cape clinch second SA20 title as Marco Jansen rocks Durban's Super Giants

Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Saturday won the SA20 final for back-to-back titles in the second season of the South African T20 league. The Gqeberha-based T20 team, which have the same owners as IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad, defeated Durban’s Super Giants by 89 runs in the SA20 2024 final.

Batting first in the summit clash at the Newlands in Cape Town, Sunrisers amassed 204/3 with captain Aiden Markram slamming 42 not out off 26 balls and Tristan Stubbs scoring unbeaten 56 off 30. Super Giants captain Keshav Maharaj took two wickets for 33 in four overs.

In reply, DSG were bowled out for 115 in 17 overs as Marco Jansen ran though Super Giants batting with a five-wicket haul for 30 runs in four overs. Wiaan Mulder was the top scorer for the losing side with 38 off 22 while star batter Heinrich Klaasen was dismissed for a duck by Ottniel Baartman.

“Great feeling. To be in the final is a proud moment for us as a team. For the guys to rock up here tonight and play the game they did is testament to how hard they’ve been working,” Sunrisers captain Markram said after winning the title.

“Competition is tough. Anyone can beat anyone. Nice for us to get some momentum in the middle phases of the tournament. Luckily we put in a good performance today. We were incredible on the field throughout the comp. Bowlers have been the shining light and carried us throughout. Massive team effort, massive squad effort, even the guys who didn’t play a game played a massive role. My job is made easy by this group of people. Great group of guys that are fully interested in the best interests of the team. Can’t ask for more after that, can sleep well at night.”

Super Giants captain Maharaj praised his team for reaching the final but admitted that they weren’t at their best in the summit clash.

“At the start if you gave us the final, we would’ve taken it. Big turnaround from last year. Lot of positives to build on for next season. Probably 20-30 runs too many. We were quite sloppy on the field as well. We felt it was a good wicket, but losing wickets doesn’t help. Our coaching staff have put in a hard effort, the owners as well. Boys can be proud of what they’ve achieved.”