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Joburg Super Kings strengthened their push for a playoff spot in the SA20 with a convincing victory over the table-topping Paarl Royals at the Wanderers on Thursday. Despite remaining in fourth place, Super Kings are now level on 19 points with third-placed Sunrisers Eastern Cape, trailing only on bonus points.
Faf du Plessis led from the front, delivering a brilliant 87 off 55 balls, featuring four boundaries and seven sixes, as the Super Kings comfortably chased down the Royals’ 150/9 with seven wickets to spare. Spinner Donovan Ferreira played a pivotal role in restricting the Royals, claiming three wickets for just 23 runs in his four overs.
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Ferreira credited the presence of experienced players like Du Plessis, Devon Conway, and Jonny Bairstow for bringing stability and calmness to the squad. “Obviously playing with the likes of Faf, Conway, Bairstow – you know, I can name a lot more players – they have a lot of experience, they’ve won a lot of international games,” said Ferreira. “They just bring calmness to the field, and the experience is something you can’t really explain. You just know that when they make a decision, it’s based on all the games they’ve played.”
Ferreira also appreciated the trust given to him as a bowler, particularly by Du Plessis. “I’ve always been able to bowl, but having the backing of Faf gives me a lot of confidence. The wickets have been assisting finger spinners, so it’s made it a bit easier for me. But I’m grateful for the opportunities and for Faf backing me in crucial moments.”
Super Kings have had a roller-coaster season, something Ferreira acknowledged while pointing to injuries as a major challenge. “We’ve had five injuries to our frontline bowlers. The guys that have come in have done an exceptional job, but that’s sport – you win some, you lose some. We’ve been trying to be as consistent as possible, but playing back-to-back games, different conditions, and the toss factor have played a role.”
Despite inconsistency, Ferreira remains optimistic. “We’ve played very good cricket here at the Wanderers. Now, it’s just about focusing on our last group stage game and qualifying. Once in the playoffs, anything can happen. If we win three games, we win the tournament.”
Ferreira also praised Du Plessis’ leadership. “Faf has been really clear with his communication. The message doesn’t change whether we win or lose. On the field, he’s always cool, calm, throwing his body around, and chatting to the bowlers. That clarity and calmness filter through the team.”
Paarl Royals captain Bjorn Fortuin acknowledged that his side was not at their best but emphasised that the focus remains on preparing for the playoffs. “We didn’t come here just to get game time – we wanted to win tonight. There were a few things we didn’t execute with bat and ball, and hopefully, we’ll rectify those before the playoffs.”
On missing Joe Root, Fortuin admitted it was a setback but refused to use it as an excuse. “He’s a massive loss for any team. But we can’t blame the loss on missing players – the guys who came in were quality players in their own right.”
With the playoffs looming, Fortuin remains confident in his squad’s ability to bounce back. “We’ve done well this season, and in the playoffs, we’ll hope our top order fires. Regardless of the conditions, we need to perform, and we’ll look to rectify things in our next game.”
