Drama of the highest stakes SA20 2026 On January 15, Centurion developed a fever Pearl Royals horns locked with Pretoria Capitals in the 25th game of the season. It was a masterclass in pace bowling that stole the headlines in a contest billed as a key clash for a play-off berth. Ottoneil Baartman He delivered a performance for the ages with a sensational hat-trick claim to knock off the Capitals lineup and guarantee the Royals a coveted spot in the postseason.
Ottneil Baartman’s hat-trick dismantled the Pretoria Capitals batting unit in the SA20.
Pretoria Capitals’ innings never found its rhythm, but the real collapse came in the 19th over. Heading into the finals at 126/6, the Capitals looked on Andre Russell to ensure late flowering. However, Baartman had other plans.
In his superior first delivery (18.1), Baartman hit a hard length to a tight stump line. Having to go big, Russell fails to get under the bounce and goes to long on, here Sikandar Raza made a great tumbling catch. The Centurion crowd was still buzzing when Baartman steamed for the next delivery. He bowled a sharp, short length ball that resulted in a hesitant drive Lizaad Williamsresulting in a thick inner rim to the stumps.
With a hat-trick on the line at 18.3, Baartman was ice cold. He delivered a fierce, soaring delivery Good luck, who could only manage a defensive chip towards the bowler. In a display of supreme athleticism, Baartman instinctively reached for his right hand and held it back. This historic hat-trick saw the Capitals collapse from a position of relative safety to being bowled out for a paltry 127 in 19.1 overs. Baartman finished with incredible figures of 5/16, earning him the undisputed Player of the Match award.
We present the video:
Ottneil Baartman is irresistible!
18.1 – Reza b.
18.2 – b Baartman
18.3 – b&w Baartman#BetwaySA20 #PCvPR Welcome to #Incredible pic.twitter.com/A5PEkmvu7D— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 15, 2026
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Paarl Royals take the win and a place in the playoffs
Chasing a target of 128, Paarl Royals showed the composure of their championship-caliber side. Despite losing Juan-dre Pretorius and The tribe of Asa Royals never looked frantic at the start of the powerplay. Provided by stability Rubin HermannHitting 46 off 29 balls, he hit three boundaries and three massive sixes to swing the momentum in Paarl’s favour.
Hermann was ably supported And Lawrence (41 off 32) and the duo’s 52-run partnership effectively took the game away from Pretoria. When Lawrence finally falls for Captain Ngidi David Miller stepped in to apply the finishing touches. Miller’s unbeaten 28 off 16 ensured there were no hiccups.
The Royals reached 128/4 in just 15.1 overs to secure a dominant 6-wicket win with 29 balls to spare. This clinical victory not only lifted them to the top of the table, but also officially confirmed their place in the competition SA20 Playoffs. For the Pretoria Capitals, the defeat left their campaign hanging by a thread as they failed to find an answer to Baartman’s tactical brilliance and Royals’ collective clinical execution.
Also READ: Sunrisers Eastern Cape skittle Paarl Royals SA20’s lowest ever total in a one-sided win
