This big win for MI Cape Town has truly thrown the door wide open for the Joburg Super Giants and the fifth-placed Pretoria Capitals to reach the playoffs, while for the back-to-back defending champions, the Sunrisers, the pressure is on.

The Sunrisers were invited to bat first, and despite 45 runs by opener David Bedingham, they were bowled out for 107 runs in 19.2 overs. Andile Simelane managed 21, while Proteas captain Aiden Markram chipped in with 10.

Kagiso Rabada and Corbin Bosch. Photo: Cricinfo

Proteas fast bowler Corbin Bosch did the damage with the ball, taking 4/19 in 3.2 overs, while Kagiso Rabada was brilliant with 2/14 in 3 overs, and captain Rashid Khan contributed 1/24 in 4 overs.

In reply, Ryan Rickelton was ruthless, smashing 59 not out off 36 balls, while Rassie van der Dussen scored 48 not out off 40 balls as MI Cape Town chased down the target in 11 overs. The only Sunrisers bowler with respectable figures was spinner Simon Harmer, who finished with 0/14 in 2 overs.

Bosch said consistency has been the key to them reaching the playoffs for the first time.

“As a team, we have gelled really well together, and it helped that a lot of our players have been in form throughout the competition,” said Bosch, who recently made his Proteas debut against Pakistan.

“It’s always someone else putting up their hand. The guys at the top have batted beautifully, so I think, on the batting front, that has definitely helped us set up games. As a bowling unit, we’ve taken wickets at crucial times, which has allowed us to be in the position we’re in.”

The fast bowler added that while they have managed to reach the playoffs for the first time, the job is far from done, and now is not the time to take their foot off the gas.

MI Cape Town. Photo: Cricinfo

“No, definitely not – I think the guys are very professional,” Bosch added.

“We still want to take it one game at a time, and I think that’s definitely important moving forward. We’ve got a game to win in Pretoria, and we’d like to finish top of the log.

“I think that would be a testament to the team doing all the right things. I mean, as mentioned earlier, we were at the bottom of the log for the past two previous seasons, so what a way to just go forward and try to finish on top of the log this season leading into the playoffs.”

On Thursday afternoon at 17:30, the Joburg Super Kings will face the Paarl Royals at the Wanderers.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek