CAPE TOWN — In a pulsating final that delivered a masterclass of individual brilliance and collective resolve, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape were crowned champions of the Betway SA20 for the second consecutive season, defeating the Pretoria Capitals by 89 runs at a packed Newlands on Saturday night. The victory, their third in the tournament's two-year history, was secured in emphatic fashion despite a breathtaking, lone-hand century from the Capitals' Dewald Brevis.
Aiden Markram's Calculated Mastery
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Sunrisers' innings was built on the bedrock of a composed and classy captain's knock from Aiden Markram. On a surface offering some assistance to the bowlers, Markram expertly marshalled the middle overs, rotating strike and punishing the loose deliveries. His partnership of 100 runs with the explosive Tristan Stubbs (56 off 30) proved to be the decisive passage of the Sunrisers' innings. Markram’s unbeaten 42-ball 58 was a study in control, a stark contrast to the carnage unfolding at the other end. Reflecting on his team's performance, Markram said, "We spoke about trying to be as calm as we can. The guys were incredible, they were calm and they were clinical."
Stubbs, the tournament's leading run-scorer, was in devastating touch, launching five sixes in his whirlwind half-century. His ability to find the boundary from the get-go took the pressure off Markram and propelled the Sunrisers to a highly competitive total of 204 for 3. The Capitals' bowling, which had been impressive throughout the season, struggled for consistency in the face of this calculated assault, with only veteran England seamer Adil Rashid emerging with respectable figures.
The Dewald Brevis One-Man Show
In response, the Pretoria Capitals' chase began disastrously, crumbling to 22 for 3 inside the first four overs courtesy of a fiery opening spell from Marco Jansen and Daniel Worrall. The dream of a title seemed to evaporate before the Powerplay was done. What followed, however, was one of the most remarkable individual innings in T20 franchise final history. Dewald 'Baby AB' Brevis, walking in at number five, unleashed a stunning counter-attack of pure, unadulterated talent. He took a particular liking to the world-class bowling of Simon Harmer, smashing the off-spinner for 28 runs in a single over.
Brevis reached his maiden T20 century in just 52 balls, a knock laced with 8 fours and 9 sixes. He single-handedly kept the Capitals in the hunt, reducing the equation to a gettable 97 runs from 42 balls with 7 wickets still in hand at one stage. His breathtaking display had the Newlands crowd in a state of awe and the Sunrisers' camp searching for answers. It was a century of the highest quality, blending power, innovation, and remarkable composure under immense pressure.
The Turning Point: A Game-Changing Over
Just as Brevis looked capable of pulling off the impossible, the match turned on its head in a single, dramatic over from left-arm seamer Ottniel Baartman. With the dangerous James Neesham newly arrived at the crease, Baartman produced a double-wicket maiden in the 15th over that effectively sealed the contest. He first had Neesham caught behind off a clever slower ball, and then two deliveries later, castled the set and dangerous Brevis with a perfect yorker. The dismissal of Brevis for 106 silenced the Capitals' hopes and triggered a terminal collapse.
From 115 for 3, the Capitals lost their final 7 wickets for just 10 runs, bowled out for a paltry 115. Baartman, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, finished with remarkable figures of 4 for 12, his death bowling proving utterly unplayable. The Sunrisers' bowling unit, which had been under the cosh from Brevis, showcased its champion mentality and depth to ruthlessly close out the game.
Sunrisers' Blueprint for Success
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have now won both editions of the SA20, establishing themselves as the premier franchise in the competition. Their success is built on a clear and effective blueprint that other teams will strive to emulate. Key pillars of their championship-winning campaign included:
- A Balanced and Potent Bowling Attack: The combination of pace (Jansen, Worrall, Baartman) and world-class spin (Harmer) provided options for all conditions.
- Powerful and Deep Batting: With the likes of Dawid Malan, Jordan Hermann, Markram, and Stubbs, they possessed multiple match-winners.
- Superb Captaincy: Aiden Markram's calm and tactical acumen, both as a leader and a batsman, was instrumental.
- Clutch Performances: Time and again, different players stood up in key moments, exemplified by Baartman's final over.
The contrast in emotions at the post-match presentation was stark. A jubilant Markram lifted the trophy, praising his team's collective effort. For Pretoria Capitals captain Wayne Parnell, there was pride in his team's journey to the final but disappointment in the manner of the collapse. He acknowledged the brilliance of the opposition, stating, "They were just too good for us tonight. We lost wickets in clusters and you can't do that in a final."
Conclusion: A Final for the Ages
The SA20 2024 final will be remembered as the night of two immortal performances. Dewald Brevis announced himself on the big stage with an innings of such audacious quality that it threatened to rewrite the script single-handedly. His century, in a losing cause, will be talked about for years to come as one of the great "what if" knocks in T20 cricket. Yet, it was ultimately overshadowed by the cold, clinical efficiency of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. They absorbed the ultimate individual punch, regrouped, and delivered a knockout blow of their own through disciplined team execution.
The victory cements the Sunrisers' dynasty in the early years of the SA20 and provides a perfect send-off for the tournament's second season, which has firmly entrenched itself as a premier event on the global cricket calendar. In the end, the trophy was lifted not by the lone genius, but by the consummate team—a unit that proved, once again, that while individual stars can win moments, cohesive teams win championships. As Markram succinctly put it while holding the trophy aloft, "This is a special group. We fight for each other, and that’s what champions do."