Joburg Super Kings Win SA20 2026 Opener in Thriller Super Over Against Durban Super Giants

SA20 2026 began in dramatic fashion as Joburg Super Kings and Durban Super Giants produced the tournament’s first-ever Super Over, with the contest going right down to the wire at the Wanderers on Thursday night. Joburg Super Kings held their nerve in the Super Over to seal the win, thanks largely to Richard Gleeson’s excellent bowling, and climbed to the top of the points table with their third victory of the season.

The match swung back and forth across the full 40 overs. Gleeson played a crucial role in the closing stages of the chase, turning the momentum in the 19th over by dismissing two batters and giving away just four runs. With Durban needing only one run from the final ball, Donovan Ferreira produced a brilliant direct hit to run out Eathan Bosch as he attempted a quick single after Simon Harmer missed the ball.

Ferreira was central to the game in every department. He smashed a rapid unbeaten 33 from just 10 deliveries, delivered a disciplined four-over spell that cost only 24 runs while picking up a wicket, and also contributed behind the stumps as wicketkeeper.

Earlier, Joburg Super Kings posted an imposing 205 for 4 after being asked to bat. Matthew de Villiers and Faf du Plessis set the tone with a blistering 89-run partnership in just 52 balls. The momentum slowed in the middle overs as spinners Noor Ahmad and Simon Harmer applied the brakes, with Ahmad claiming three wickets to keep the scoring in check.

Wiaan Mulder and Shubham Ranjane tried to rebuild the innings, but the scoring rate dipped. When Mulder was dismissed in the 18th over, the hosts were still on 156 for 4. Ferreira then launched a late onslaught, hammering four sixes and a four to lift the total beyond 200.

Despite the challenging target, Durban Super Giants found it difficult to accelerate early. Devon Conway and Kane Williamson started cautiously, while Jos Buttler’s aggressive cameo was cut short by Gleeson within six deliveries, leaving the visitors at 61 for 3 after eight overs.

The game shifted again in the middle phase as Heinrich Klaasen, Evan Jones, and Aiden Markram attacked. The trio added 86 runs across five overs, reducing the equation to 40 runs needed from the final four overs.

Gleeson’s clever use of slower deliveries and Mulder’s wide yorkers restricted the flow of boundaries, with the 19th over — conceding just four runs — proving decisive. Bosch struck a boundary early in the final over, and Harmer added another with two balls remaining, taking the match into a Super Over.

Once there, Joburg seized control. Gleeson’s variations limited Jos Buttler and Evan Jones to just six runs. In reply, Rilee Rossouw edged Noor Ahmad for a boundary to get going before sealing the win two balls later with another crisp shot through extra cover.