Lhuan-dre Pretorius
Lethabo Phahlamohlaka
Dewald Brevis
Leus du Plooy
Rivaldo Moonsamy
Donovan Ferreira
Leo Sadler
Pheko Moletsane
Liam Alder
Zack Momberg
Reagon Rhode
Janneman Malan
Yaseen Valli
Modise Maloka✱
Slade van Staden
Tsepo Ndwandwa
Duan Jansen
Dayyaan Galiem
Tabraiz Shamsi
The sun‑blazed Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn became a pressure cooker on Thursday evening as the Garden Route Badgers chased down a modest 158 to snatch a dramatic two‑wicket victory over the Titans. With just 12 balls left, Modise Maloka unleashed a blistering 47 off 27, turning the tide and sealing the win for the Badgers.
Match Summary
The Titans won the toss and elected to bat under clear skies and a scorching 33.5 °C temperature. Lhuan‑dre Pretorius gave them a flying start, hammering 44 runs from only 20 deliveries, while the middle order added crucial runs to post 157/6 in their full 20 overs. Leo Sadler was the pick of the Titans’ bowlers, returning figures of 1/19 off 4 overs, but the Badgers’ chase began shakily.
Garden Route Badgers’ innings started with a cautious approach. Janneman Malan steadied the ship with a gritty 43 off 38 balls, and Yaseen Valli contributed a quick 28 off 24. However, it was Maloka’s late surge that proved decisive. The Badgers reached the target with 1.3 overs to spare, finishing on 158/7 after 18.3 overs.
Key Performances
Lhuan‑dre Pretorius (Titans) – 44 runs off 20 balls, 22.00 strike rate, anchoring the Titans' top order.
Leo Sadler (Titans) – 1 wicket for 19 runs in 4 overs, economy 4.75, providing early breakthroughs.
Janneman Malan (Garden Route Badgers) – 43 runs off 38 balls, steadying the chase with a 113.16 strike rate.
Yaseen Valli (Garden Route Badgers) – 28 runs off 24 balls, quick cameo that kept the run‑rate healthy.
Modise Maloka (Garden Route Badgers) – 47 runs off 27 balls, 174.07 strike rate, the match‑winning innings.
Tsepo Ndwandwa (Garden Route Badgers) – 1/25 in 3 overs, economy 8.33, kept Titans in check during the middle overs.
Duan Jansen (Garden Route Badgers) – 2/41 in 3.3 overs, economy 11.70, a mixed spell but crucial wickets.
Turning Points
The first turning point arrived when Pretorius smashed a six off the first over, putting the Titans at 30/0. The early momentum, however, stalled as the Badgers applied disciplined bowling, with Ndwandwa and Jansen chipping in crucial wickets. The second pivotal moment came in the 14th over of the chase when Maloka, on 12 runs, struck three consecutive boundaries, catapulting the Badgers from 95/4 to 115/4. This surge shifted the pressure back onto the Titans, who struggled to contain the on‑fire Maloka.
Finally, the climax unfolded in the 18th over when Maloka, now on 38, smashed a six and a four in quick succession, taking the Badgers within 10 runs of the target with only two overs left. A nervous final over saw the Titans claim a wicket, but the Badgers held their nerve, sealing the win with a single off the last ball.
Series Implications
This victory gives the Garden Route Badgers a crucial edge in the CSA Pro T20 Cup 2026, leveling the head‑to‑head against the Titans at 1‑1. The win not only boosts the Badgers’ net run rate but also cements Modise Maloka as a rising star in the tournament. For the Titans, the loss highlights a need to tighten death‑over bowling, especially after conceding 47 runs in the final 30 balls of the chase.
Looking ahead, both sides will eye the upcoming fixtures with renewed focus. The Badgers aim to capitalize on their momentum and climb the group table, while the Titans will look to regroup and rely on their experienced bowlers like Sadler to bounce back. Fans can expect more high‑octane action as the CSA Pro T20 Cup 2026 progresses, with the Titans vs Garden Route Badgers rivalry now more intense than ever.