The Titans faced another setback in their T20 Challenge campaign, suffering a 32-run defeat against the Knights at SuperSport Park in Centurion yesterday.
This match marks the second consecutive loss for the Pretoria-based side, leaving them struggling to find their rhythm in the tournament.
Chasing a daunting target of 224 runs, the Titans faltered early on, stumbling to 74/4 as their batsmen fell in quick succession. Notable performances came from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rivaldo Moonsamy, who managed 21 and 31 runs, respectively, but their efforts weren’t enough to lift the home side as they grappled with the necessary run-rate.
Heinrich Klaasen's contribution was disappointing, with only four runs, leaving the Titans in a precarious position. In the midst of the struggle, Sibonelo Makhanya (34) and Donovan Ferreira (48 off 28 balls) combined for a promising partnership of 59 runs, offering a glimmer of hope.
However, Sithembile Langa’s impressive bowling, which saw him claim Makhanya's wicket, swung the momentum back to the Knights. In addition, Aaron Phangiso (2/22) and Malusi Siboto (2/46) shone with the ball, dismantling the Titans' batting line-up.
The Knights set a formidable tone, and the highlight of their innings was Rilee Rossouw, who showcased his prowess with a breathtaking 66 runs off 32 balls, including four fours and six sixes, guiding his team to 223/6 — the highest in this tournament so far.
Jacques Snyman also contributed with 41 runs off just 18 balls, ensuring the Knights kept the pressure on throughout their innings.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins found their first win of the season, overcoming Western Province by four wickets at Kingsmead in Durban. Marques Ackerman led from the front, scoring a commendable 74 off 47 balls, assisting his side in securing the victory after a shaky start.
His innings featured two pivotal partnerships: 68 runs with Jason Smith (39) and 66 runs with Bryce Parsons (27), which proved instrumental in stabilising the innings after early setbacks.
The Dolphins, who had previously languished at the bottom of the log without points, managed to chase down a target of 168 runs, propelled by a resilient and well-constructed innings. Although they experienced some tension during the chase following the fall of Ackerman, the home side maintained their composure, finishing the game with six balls to spare.
WP had begun strongly, reaching 37 without loss in just four overs. However, Andile Simelane’s double strike in the fifth over pulled the Dolphins back into contention.
They gradually tightened their grip on the match, limiting the visitors to 167 runs after 20 overs. As the T20 Challenge continues, both the Titans and Dolphins will be looking to build momentum and secure crucial victories in the coming matches, carving their paths to potential success in this competitive tournament.