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Pieter Malan's half-century and a superb bowling effort steered the Boland Rocks to victory in the CSA T20 Challenge final against the Titans at St. George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday.
SCORECARD | CSA T20 Challenge - Titans v Boland Rocks
The Rocks, who made their debut in the CSA T20 Challenge under the new domestic structure, sealed the trophy with a 15-run victory.
Malan's side won the toss and chose to bat first in sunny conditions in front of a few vaccinated fans.
The Rocks lost the early wicket of opener Janneman Malan, who was bowled for seven by Proteas bowler Lizaad Williams.
A batting collapse soon occurred thanks to the magic arm of the number one T20 bowler in the world Tabraiz Shamsi, who dismissed Michael Copeland (1), Ferisco Adams (6) and Valentine Kitime (3).
With the Rocks on 89 for 5, opener Pieter Malan witnessed all the action from the other end and decided to take matters into his own hand as he notched up his fifth half-century of the tournament.
Malan, who finished as the highest run-scorer (368) of the competition, scored 71 off 56 balls (including two fours and five sixes) before becoming Williams' second victim (2/30).
Former Proteas Hardus Viljoen struck a handy 32 off 16 (3 fours and 2 sixes) as the Rocks posted 138/6 in their 20 overs.
Shamsi was the pick of the Titans bowling attack as he took three for 20 and finished as the leading wicket-taker (13) of the competition.
Chasing 139 for victory, the Titans got off to a rocky start as they lost three wickets in the PowerPlay.
Proteas batter Quinton de Kock only contributed nine before being caught off the bowling of Imran Manack.
The following over, the Titans lost their skipper Theunis de Bruyn for 11 thanks to a superb stumping by wicketkeeper Fortuin off Siyabonga Mahima.
Fast bowler Viljoen struck in his first over as U19 star Dewald Brevis found the fielder in the deep to depart for five, with the Titans reeling at 29 for 3.
A partnership was needed for the Sky Blue franchise as Heinrich Klaasen and Sibonelo Makhanya attempted to rebuild. However, the Rocks continued to pile on the pressure and Klaasen was eventually bowled by Mahima for 17 off 15 balls.
However, Sibonelo Makhanya and Donavon Ferreira led the Titans fightback as they caught up to the eight-an-over run rate.
But a brilliant run-out saw the end of Ferreira for 22 and the next delivery, Viljoen (2/14) caught and bowled Ayabulela Gqamane for a golden duck to put the Rocks back in the driving seat.
Spinner Shaun von Berg (1/40) soon ended the Titans' hopes as Makhanya was caught after top-scoring with 37 off 31 (4 fours and a six).
The task seemed too tall for the Titans lower-order with Aaron Phangiso (6) caught in the deep to give Manack his second wicket (2/14).
Needing 20 off the final over, Junior Dala got caught for eight off Adams (1/14) as the Titans could only manage 123/9 with the Rocks named T20 Challenge champions.
The Rocks add this trophy to their 2019 Mzansi Super League title won by the then-led Faf du Plessis.
Scores in brief:
Rocks 138/6 in 20 overs (Pieter Malan 71, Tabraiz Shamsi 3/20)
Titans 123/9 in 20 overs (Sibonelo Makhanya 37, Hardus Viljoen 2/14, Imran Manack 2/14)
The Rocks win by 15 runs
