Paarl Royals vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape Match Scorecard: Tony de Zorzi and Jordan Hermann led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to their third straight Betway SA20 Final, keeping their hopes alive for a historic hat-trick of titles. After struggling for consistency throughout the season, the Sunrisers' top order finally clicked, with De Zorzi playing a match-winning knock.
Having joined the squad late as a replacement for the injured Patrick Kruger, the Proteas batter made an immediate impact, scoring a sublime 78 off just 49 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and 2 sixes.
His commanding innings helped the Sunrisers chase down the Royals' 175/4 target with ease, sealing an eight-wicket victory on a balmy night at Centurion. With this win, the Sunrisers are now just one step away from completing a historic three-peat in the SA20 tournament.
Hermann completed the job in style finishing unbeaten on 69 off 48 balls (4x4, 4x6).
It certainly was a special night for the Hermann brothers with Rubin Hermann earlier setting up the Royals’ innings with 81 not out off 53 balls.
Rubin batted superbly in tandem with the competition’s leading-run Lhuan-dre Pretorius (59 off 41 balls) as the pair added 99 runs off 64 balls for the second Royals wicket.
It was Pretorius' third half-century of the competition.
The Royals were provided further impetus towards the backend of their innings by a swashbuckling Andile Phehlukwayo (22 not out off 11 balls).
But the night belonged to the men in orange as they booked their now perennial place in the Betway SA20 Final.