Attacking half-centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw took the VKB Knights to the brink of an upset victory against the log-leading Unlimited Titans at Mangaung Oval on Friday.
Chasing a challenging final innings 253, the highest score of the game, the hosts scored at 5.21 runs per over to race to 214 for two at the close – 39 runs shy of a surprise win.
Rossouw was unbeaten on a quick-fire 72 off 55 balls, a knock that included 12 fours and a six, while Hendricks had earlier provided the assured start thanks to his 69 from 88 deliveries. Rudi Second (33) was the other not out batsman and his stand with Rossouw stood unbroken on 99.
It was a dramatic turnaround from the opening day when 21 wickets had fallen, including the Knights being shot out for just 76, the lowest ever total in the franchise era at the Bloemfontein venue.
The Titans, who made 141 first time around, had started day two on 20 for one and reached lunch still well placed on 112 for four – an overall lead of 177.
But the last six wickets folded for only 66. Duanne Olivier, the star of the first innings with five for 42, followed that up with three for 39 and a match-haul of eight wickets, while rookie Mbulelo Budaza bagged three for 26 as the Titans were blown away in 57.1 overs.
Only Qaasim Adams managed any runs with a contribution of 69. It was one-way traffic thereafter as the Knights closed in on victory.