Choosing to bat first, the Super Giants had a brisk start with openers Quinton de Kock and Mathew Breetzke consistently finding the boundaries. De Kock, however, fell to a soft dismissal in the last over of the powerplay, setting the score at 58/1.
The Sunrisers capitalized on this breakthrough to slow down the scoring, and Breetzke’s dismissal for 43 at the midway point seemed to be a crucial moment. Nevertheless, JJ Smuts and Nicholas Pooran turned the tide, showcasing powerful hitting and precise placement.
Smuts reached his half-century in just 29 deliveries, and the duo forged a 100-run partnership, starting from 85/2 and maintaining a two-runs-per-ball rate. Smuts departed after a dynamic 38-ball 75 in the 18th over, followed by Heinrich Klaasen contributing a boundary and a maximum in his six-ball cameo.
Pooran finished unbeaten on 60 off 31 balls, guiding the visitors to a commanding total of 225/3, with 88 runs coming in the last seven overs. In response, Eastern Cape struggled, losing both openers with single-digit scores, reaching a sluggish powerplay total of 39/2.
Aiden Markram and Tom Abell then revitalized the chase with a strong 93-run partnership for the third wicket. Around the midway point, skipper Keshav Maharaj brought in the part-time spin of Smuts, resulting in the crucial wickets of Markram and Marco Jansen.
Maharaj himself dismissed Abell for a well-played 36-ball 65, making it challenging for Eastern Cape with 97 runs needed off the last six overs. Tristan Stubbs provided some late fireworks, scoring a rapid 25-ball half-century and preventing the opposition from securing a bonus point.
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However, a controversial moment occurred in the 18th over when Stubbs collided with Reece Topley while attempting a run, but no action was taken. Stubbs eventually departed for 55 in the final over, and SEC concluded their innings at 190/9, falling short of the target by 35 runs.