TimesofIndia.com in Durban: 39.3 overs, an individual hundred, a hat-trick and still the result could have gone either way when Jos Buttler took guard to face the fourth delivery of the Roston Chase over. All three results were very much on at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground during the SA20 contest between Durban Super Giants (DSG) and Pretoria Capitals.Buttler single-handedly kept the DSG unit alive in the 202-run chase and was three good hits away from sealing the deal for his side. 17 runs were needed but Chase’s ice-cool temperament prevailed, leading to a thrilling 15-run victory for the Pretoria Capitals. Contrasting scenes unfolded in the two dugouts when Buttler couldn’t find a response for Chase’s accurate darts but the crowd wasn’t complaining.
It was again a very healthy turnout for a Wednesday evening game and thousands got their every rand worth in what turned out to be a complete package. Shai Hope scored a hundred, Lungi Ngidi picked up a hat-trick, Buttler nearly pulled off a spectacular chase with his 52-ball 97*, and all this happened within four hours. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Both sides were eyeing the much-needed win and in the end it was Capitals’ tactical calls – promoting Hope up the order, pushing Chase at 3 and then giving him that crucial last over – which did the trick for them in Durban. By his own admission, the all-rounder was “shocked” at the batting promotion but backed himself to do the job, with both bat and ball.
Pretoria Capitals (PC) celebrate their victory dover DSG during match 16 of the Betway SA20 season 4 at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban , South Africa on the 7th January 2026. (Photo credit: Gerhard Duraan / Sportzpics for SA20)
“I was a bit shocked to be honest but backed myself to do the job. For that last over, I was confident to do the job with my yorkers. I got the fine-leg back because I thought Buttler could scoop me so thought the best chance for that dot delivery could be when he looks to hit me over covers,” said Chase at a select media interaction.“It’s my first time here in SA20 and I am really enjoying it. I always love coming to South Africa. My family was here in the stands and it was good to contribute in a win in front of them. Should have got them earlier from the Caribbean,” added chase.As far as Hope was concerned, he wasn’t complaining about the promotion and has been enjoying working with head coach Sourav Ganguly.
Shai Hope of Pretoria Capitals play a shot during match 16 of the Betway SA20 season 4 between Durban Super Giants (DSG) and Pretoria Capitals (PC) held at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban , South Africa on the 7th January 2026. (Photo Credit: Rogan Ward / Sportzpics for SA20)
“I was told yesterday about the opening and wanted to contribute for the team. Ganguly has a wealth of experience and it’s about learning as much you can from him. He talks cricket all the time,” said Hope at the post-match press conference.
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It was an action-packed night where plenty of firsts happened. Chase became the first player to be retired out and Hope ended up scoring the highest individual total in the tournament’s history. Another first of that record Hope knock going down in vain was very much on when Buttler scored 22 off Lizaad Williams final over – 19th of the innings. Chase, however, had other plans and seemed in no mood to make his family’s debut at SA20 a forgettable one.
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