Newlands unfurled like a fast outfield on opening night of Betway SA20 Season 4, delivering a spectacle that felt less like a cagey first fixture and more like a full-throttle shootout.
Boundaries flew like summer swallows, bowlers searched for yorkers as if panning for gold, and by the end of the night 449 runs, 25 sixes and 40 fours had been bludgeoned into the Cape Town dusk.
At the heart of it all stood Ryan Rickelton, whose maiden SA20 century was a silken blend of timing and intent. His 113 off 65 balls dragged MI Cape Town to the brink, but ultimately could not prevent a 15-run defeat as Durban Super Giants opened their account with a statement win.
Ryan Rickelton of MI Cape Town slog sweeps a delivery to the boundary during match 1 of the Betway SA20 season 4 between MI Cape Town (MICT) and The Durban Super Giants (DSG) held at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town , South Africa on the 26th December 2025
Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for SA20
DSG’s towering 232/5 proved a mountain too steep, eclipsing Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s 204/3 from the Season 2 final at this very ground. It was a total forged in the Powerplay furnace by an all-New Zealand opening act that hummed in perfect harmony.
Devon Conway and Kane Williamson treated the first eight overs like a net session, racing to 96 in just 8.3 overs. The stand was finally broken when Tristan Luus found his moment, removing Williamson for a fluent 40 off 25 balls (7×4), only after MI Cape Town skipper Rashid Khan produced a moment of magic – sprinting back from mid-off and diving full length to pouch a stunning catch.
The tempo never dipped. Jos Buttler chipped in with 20 off 12 balls, Heinrich Klaasen added 22 off 14, and even after Conway’s classy 64 off 33 balls (7×4, 2×6) was halted by fellow Kiwi Trent Boult, DSG kept their foot pressed firmly on the accelerator.
Aiden Markram played the role of middle-overs enforcer, blitzing 35 off 17 balls (5×4, 1×6), while Evan Jones provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 33 from just 14 deliveries (4×4, 2×6), ensuring the Giants crossed into record territory.
MI Cape Town’s reply revolved almost entirely around Rickelton, who continued his love affair with Newlands. The left-hander cut, drove and pulled with authority as wickets tumbled around him – Rassie van der Dussen (2) and Reeza Hendricks departing early.
The chase briefly caught fire when debutant Jason Smith was unleashed. His exhilarating 41 off 14 balls (4×4, 3×6) swung momentum like a sudden gust across Table Bay, injecting belief into the Newlands crowd.
But DSG refused to loosen their grip. Smith, Nicholas Pooran (15) and Dwaine Pretorius (5) all fell in the death overs as the Giants chipped away at the chase with clinical precision.
Rickelton was handed a lifeline on 85 when Kwena Maphaka overstepped, recalling the opener after he had been caught in the deep. The reprieve allowed him to surge to his second career T20 century, a knock rich in substance and shot-making.
Yet with 22 required off the final over, DSG seamer Eathan Bosch (4/46) held his nerve like a seasoned closer. He removed Rickelton and slammed the door shut, ending MI Cape Town’s valiant pursuit and sealing a thrilling opening-night triumph for the Durban Super Giants.
Season 4 could scarcely have asked for a louder opening statement.
