Tristan Stubbs leads Sunrisers Eastern Capes' caravan to fourth successive SA20 final

Sunrisers Eastern Cape beat Paarl Royals by 7 wickets [Source: SunrisersEC/X.com]

The two-time SA20 champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, met Paarl Royals in Qualifier 2 of the season 2025/26 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on January 23 after losing Qualifier 1 to Pretoria Capitals by 7 wickets.

On the other hand, the Paarl Royals, who missed the services of their captain David Miller due to a groin injury, scuffed their chance to finish in the top-2, won the Eliminator against the Joburg Super Kings to take a longer route to the potential final.

On the day, the Tristan Stubbs-led SEC proved too hot to handle for the Men in Pink, as they comfortably defeated them by 7 wickets.

Muthusamy’s spin-web leaves Paarl Royals clueless

Having defended a 210-run total against the Joburg Super Kings on the previous night, the Paarl Royals decided to bat first at the Wanderers Stadium, but things quickly went south for them after Lutho Sipamla started with an early wicket of Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ wicket for 3(8) in the second over.

Pretorius was soon followed by Rubin Hermann and Dan Lawrence, who both fell inside the powerplay to Anrich Nortje and James Coles, respectively, and the score read 31/3 in 5.2 overs.

Coles’ left-arm orthodox in the powerplay showed great signs of the pitch holding up the ball and turning square, which was read quickly by captain Stubbs and quickly, who brought in Senuran Muthusamy into the attack, which eventually turned out to be a decisive move in the game.

Kyle Verreynne played a handy knock

Both left-arm spinners took advantage of the conditions and conceded only 15 runs each from their four overs. The senior-pro, Muthusamy, also dismissed Asa Tribe cheaply for 1(8), which was followed by Sikandar Raza’s evident struggle in the conditions. Before a six and four to his name, the batter was 8*(23) and was eventually stumped for 19(27) when he tried to take on Muthusamy.

In the midst of all the chaos on the other end, Kyle Verreynne, who was recently promoted to the top of the batting order, got a calm and composed 52*(46) with five fours and a six. He was assisted with two fours for Bjorn Fotuin and one four for Hardus Viljoen, as they finished with 114/7 in 20 overs. Muthusamy ended with 3/15 (4) and Nortje with 2/31 (4).

Quinton de Kock and James Coles' blitz sets up a comfortable chase

With the Royals’ back to the wall, the experienced de Kock added an extra bit of pressure with 25 off the first 11 balls that he faced before Fortuin’s flighted ball held in a bit in the pitch and knocked his stumps after his three fours and a six in the first two overs. The southpaw was soon followed by his opening partner Jonny Bairstow in the same over on a skiddy delivery, which was played down the wrong line by the batter.

Paarl further tried to inflict damage as Ottneil Baartman dismissed Jordan Hermann, who had struck four fours in his 18-ball stay, but Coles’ brisk knock of 45*(19) with 4 fours and 3 sixes meant the Sunrisers cruised past the target in just 11.4 overs to make it to their fourth consecutive final in the SA20.

On the other hand, the Paarl Royals yet again failed to cross the barrier and crashed out of the playoffs for the fourth time in four seasons.