JSK seal playoffs spot with bonus-point win over PR

Joburg Super Kings secured their place in the SA20 playoffs with a 45-run bonus-point victory over Paarl Royals in the final league match at Boland Park. The win clinched fourth place for Super Kings and eliminated Durban's Super Giants from contention.

The result sets up an Eliminator rematch between these two sides. Sunrisers Eastern Cape finished top and will face Pretoria Capitals in Qualifier 1.

Choosing to bat on a slow pitch, Super Kings posted 166 for 5. Their innings gained late momentum thanks to Leus du Plooy, who smashed an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls, including 5 fours and 3 sixes. A burst of 34 runs from the final two overs shifted the game decisively.

Earlier, Neil Timmers (39) and Michael Pepper (27) rebuilt after captain James Vince fell for a duck, though the middle overs lacked urgency. The innings accelerated when du Plooy attacked Waqar Salamkheil in the 19th over, striking two sixes and a boundary, with Dian Forrester adding another six to finish the over strongly.

Paarl Royals started steadily in their chase, but without injured captain David Miller, wickets fell regularly through the middle overs. Spinners Prenelan Subrayen and Imran Tahir exploited the conditions, combining for five wickets while conceding just 31 runs.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius provided early intent with 32, and Dan Lawrence kept hopes alive with a brisk 45 off 29. However, Tahir broke key partnerships and Subrayen maintained pressure from the other end. Royals collapsed, losing seven wickets for 41 runs, and were bowled out for 122.

Brief scores: Joburg Super Kings 166/5 (Leus du Plooy 54*, Neil Timmers 37) beat Paarl Royals 122 all out (Dan Lawrence 45; Prenelan Subrayen 3-14, Imran Tahir 2-17) by 45 runs.