The Aryavarth Express
Paarl: Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) began their SA20 season in stunning fashion, bowling out Paarl Royals for just 49 runs—the lowest total in the tournament’s history—to secure a dominant bonus-point victory at Boland Park on Saturday night.
The two-time champions, playing their first season under the leadership of Tristan Stubbs, also registered their first-ever win in an SA20 opening match. The result marked a memorable start to their season four campaign.
Earlier, Sunrisers posted a competitive 186/4, powered by a brilliant unbeaten 62 off 28 balls from Jordan Hermann. The left-hander struck five fours and four sixes, including a 22-run assault on Delano Potgieter’s final over, to finish the innings in style.
Hermann was well supported at the top by Quinton de Kock, who scored 42 off 24 balls, and Jonny Bairstow, who contributed 31 off 33. The pair added 66 runs for the opening stand. Matthew Breetzke (31 off 23 balls) then combined with Hermann to add 73 runs for the fourth wicket, maintaining momentum before the late flourish.
Despite Hermann’s match-defining knock making him an early contender for the Player of the Match award, the spotlight eventually shifted to Sunrisers’ fast bowlers during the Royals’ chase.
Paarl Royals never recovered from a devastating Powerplay spell by Marco Jansen (1/15), Adam Milne (2/17) and Anrich Nortje (4/13), which reduced the home side to 30/4. Asa Tribe (14) and wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne (11) were the only batters to reach double figures as the Royals were bowled out for 49 in just 11.5 overs.
Nortje, returning to SA20 action after missing the previous two seasons due to injury, delivered a fiery spell that sealed the outcome and underscored his impact on Sunrisers’ campaign opener.
The Royals will now look to regroup quickly ahead of their rematch against Sunrisers Eastern Cape at St George’s Park on New Year’s Eve.
