Baartman hat trick in SA20 [Source: X}
The SA20 2026 clash between Paarl Royals and Pretoria Capitals turned into a heart-stopping, low-scoring thriller, led brilliantly by Ottneil Baartman, as Paarl Royals won the match by six wickets to seal a playoff berth in the SA20 tournament.
Ottneil Baartman’s sensational hat-trick proved to be the game-changer, as Pretoria Capitals failed to post a respectable total and were bundled out with five balls remaining. In the match, Pretoria Capitals won the toss and opted to bat, but they endured a scary start right from the beginning.
How Pretoria Capitals kneeled before Ottneil Baartman
Connor Esterhuizen and Jordan Cox were dismissed on back-to-back deliveries in the fourth over by Ottneil Baartman, putting the Capitals under immediate pressure.
With two wickets down, the Capitals failed to capitalise during the rest of the innings, losing another two wickets by the end of the 12th over, with Dewald Brevis disappointing with just 21 runs off 20 balls.
As the score and run rate continued to slide, Shai Hope and Sherfanen Rutherford were dismissed soon after, leaving the Capitals struggling at 110 for 6 at the end of 16.2 overs. Baartman then returned to seal Pretoria’s fate with a magnificent hat-trick.
Ottneil Baartman’s magnificent hat-trick
On the first ball of the 19th over, Andre Russell fell victim to Baartman after mistiming a good-length delivery clocked at 130 kph. Sikandar Raza completed a sharp catch to dismiss Russell, which proved to be the final straw for Pretoria Capitals.
Lizaad Williams followed soon after and was bamboozled by Baartman’s pace, as the bowler went around the wicket and delivered a length ball outside the off stump at 140 kph, leaving Williams stunned and setting up Baartman’s hat-trick opportunity.
Completing the milestone on the very next delivery, Lungi Ngidi was caught and bowled by Baartman himself. Baartman bowled a length delivery that Ngidi attempted to defend, only for the ball to pop up off the bat and allow Baartman to take a simple return catch, sealing the first-ever hat-trick in SA20 history and his fifth wicket of the match.
Baartman finished as the standout performer, picking up five wickets while conceding just 16 runs from his four overs. Hardus Viljoen also chipped in with two wickets, while Sikandar Raza supported well, as Pretoria Capitals were bowled out for just 127 runs.
Paarl Royals seal playoff spot with flawless chase
Paarl Royals began their chase confidently but suffered early setbacks with Lhuan-dre Pretorius dismissed in the second over and Asa Mark Tribe departing in the fourth.
However, Rubin Hermann and Daniel Lawrence steadied the innings and guided the Royals to victory with 4.5 overs still remaining, as they won the match by six wickets.
The result marked Paarl Royals’ fifth win from eight matches in the SA20 and helped them secure a spot in the qualifiers with 24 points. As things stand, Paarl Royals are the second team to qualify based on net run rate, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape currently topping the table on 24 points from eight matches.
